We all remember school plays, for better or for worse. The costumes, the endless rehearsals, the nerves and excitement, the smiles and applause from a hall full of parents.
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| Roxanne Levy |
Most of us have only done one or two, but Roxanne Levy (known to all as ‘Roxy’) has a veritable Broadway of school productions under her belt. Chances are that if you are Jewish, 30 or younger and grew up in Cape Town, Roxy Levy has choreo- graphed you in a school play. Annie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and The Jungle Book are just a few of the musicals that Roxy has choreographed at all of the Herzlia schools over the years, most in conjunction with director Wendy Schaffer, another Cape Town theatrical matriarch.
The pint-sized performance pro is currently choreographing the classic Disney tale Cinderella, which will dazzle audiences with young musical and dramatic talent at Herzlia Constantia Primary School from 18 — 21 September. Herzlia Constantia holds a special place in Roxy’s heart, as it is the school that both her daughters Caely and Jenna attended.
The choreography queen
Roxy made her stage debut in East London, where she grew up. Her flair for dance and drama was clear from early on, matched by an energy and buzz that remains infectious. Family members recall the most dramatic stage moment of her childhood: when she fell through the rafters in the middle of a stage performance!
She went on to study Drama at UCT and obtained her Fellowship in Dance through IDTA (London) and Aerobics instructor certificate through ETA. For over 20 years, she ran a private ballet and aerobics studio.
Roxy has been well-recognised for her local stage and dance work, winning awards for the Artscape productions of Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I, which she choreographed. Most recently, she was involved in choreographing the children’s opera Brundibar and Fiddler on the Roof, which will be restaged at the Artscape Opera House in September.
Creating Cinderellas
While Roxy has worked in professional theatre and dance most of her life, her most satisfying moments are spent in schools, coaxing spirited performances out of shy children. She loves seeing kids transformed by the school play experience, and watching all that talent bubbling over and blossoming.
“Cinderella is the classic tale of transformation, and in a way, is a metaphor for what these school plays do for children,” says Roxy. “Of course, we all know the story of the sad servant who magically becomes a beautiful princess, but in reality, that is what is happening on stage to so many of these kids as well.”
“It’s also a lot of fun seeing parents get involved as performers,” she says. She is particularly delighted to have two dads performing in Cinderella, which she feels adds a wonderful sense of community to the whole production.
‘Cinderella’ will be performed at Herzlia Constantia Primary School from Sunday 18 September to Wednesday 21 September. Tickets are R50, and can be purchased from Hayley at 082 886 2526
