ESCAPE - 2026 Theatre Brochure

Co-curricular Theatre

13 - 15 August

Chicago: Teen Edition

Ridgeway Campus

Senior Years Musical

Welcome to Escape, a celebration of co-curricular theatre at Ivanhoe in 2026. This brochure brings together, for the first time, the full scope of work from across the school in a single, unified season. It also marks a moment of growth—an opportunity to recognise the depth of talent across the school, the remarkable commitment of our students and sta , and our enduring belief in the deep value of creative expression. Theatre at Ivanhoe has never been more vibrant, and the expanded 2026 season reflects that strength with clarity and pride.

At the heart of the season lies a single idea: escape. Through story, connection, imagination, and transformation, each production opens a path into the unexpected. Whether shaped by comedy, myth, magic, or adventure, these works invite audiences to step beyond the everyday. This spirit of possibility is central to our program’s inclusivity students of all interests and backgrounds find a place to grow in confidence, empathy, and collaboration.

The season also introduces key developments that deepen our program’s reach. Ridgeway launches the new Middle Years musical, giving Year 7 and 8 students a dedicated space to take on significant roles and experience the momentum of large-scale theatre-making. At Plenty, the Drama Club production continues to flourish as a home for experimentation, playmaking, and student-driven creativity. Together, these pathways ensure that every young person has meaningful access to the joy and challenge of the arts.

This year also includes contributions from Buckley House and Plenty Campus - Primary, whose biannual musicals bring colour, energy, and community celebration to the season. For our youngest performers, these productions o er an introduction to the stage—an early encounter with rehearsal, storytelling, and the shared joy of performance. They remain some of the most cherished occasions for families and audiences alike, and highlight the social and developmental power of theatre: resilience, teamwork, imagination, and the confidence to tell stories that matter.

Season 2026 is an invitation—to travel, to imagine, and to escape into stories that expand us. Across all three campuses, our young artists shape a theatre culture that is ambitious, generous, and deeply alive. We look forward to sharing this remarkable year with you.

Fiona Atkin Director of Theatrical Performance

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night’s Dream endures as one of Shakespeare’s most loved comedies—a story of love, mischief, and transformation unfolding over one enchanted night. In this bold production from our Ridgeway Campus students, the play is reimagined against the backdrop of a world reeling from climate collapse.

Athens is a tightly controlled city defined by order and force, preparing for the marriage of Theseus and the defeated Amazon queen Hippolyta. Personal freedom is fragile, and love is no longer private. Commanded by her father to marry Demetrius, Hermia refuses and escapes with Lysander into the forest—a wild, regenerating space abandoned to survivalist communities known as “fairies.” Demetrius follows, trailed by the devoted Helena, and the four are drawn into a world where nature and desire obey unfamiliar laws.

Elsewhere, a group of workers rehearse a play for the wedding, seeking joy and dignity amid uncertainty, but they too fall under the forest’s influence. Oberon and Titania, rulers of this altered landscape, are locked in a struggle that disrupts the natural order, while the mercurial and mischievous Puck entwines every fate.

This contemporary adaptation places climate reckoning at its heart, transforming Shakespeare’s comedy into a story of collapse, rebirth, and resilience. The forest is not an escape, but a catalyst for change. Join us for a tale where love, power, and the earth itself struggle for dominion under a midsummer sky.

Once Upon a One More Time

Once Upon a One More Time is a vibrant, high-energy musical that brings your favourite storybook characters to life like never before. Set in a whimsical fairy-tale kingdom, the show follows a colourful cast of well-known princess as they gather for their regular storybook meetings, until an unexpected twist send their world into joyful chaos. Suddenly familiar tales are shaken up, old routines are reimagined, and the princesses must navigate a brand-new chapter filled with sparkle, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Featuring more than twenty iconic Britney Spears hits, the musical blends the magic of classic fairy-tales with the excitment of chart-topping pop. Audiences will recognise songs such as “Oops!...I Did It Again”, “Lucky”, “Toxic”, “Stronger”, and “Circus”, cleverly woven into the storyline with dynamic choreography, big vocals, and playful theatricality.

Bursting with charm, humour, and musical nostalgia, Once Upon a One More Time invites audiences to rediscover beloved characters in a fresh, fun and totally enchanting way. With its dazzling costumes, enchanting storybook setting, and the pulse of Britney’s greatest hits, this musical promises a feel-good, high-energy experience for the whole family.

Buckley Hall

Directed by Sharon Kelly

The Lightning Thief:

The Percy Jackson Musical

If you’re twelve years old, prone to unusual accidents, and suddenly discover that your algebra teacher is actually a Fury sent from the Underworld, you might be forgiven for thinking your school year is going o the rails. But for Percy Jackson, this revelation is only the beginning. Monsters are real, the gods of Olympus are alive and meddling, and someone has framed him for stealing Zeus’s master lightning bolt. What follows is a wild, cross-country quest involving satyrs, demigods, angry Olympians, and more monsters than any reasonable kid should be expected to defeat before recess.

Beneath the rock-infused score and riotous adventure lies something surprisingly moving: a story about finding your people, claiming your identity, and discovering that even the most unlikely hero can change the world. With prophecies, power chords, and a Minotaur or two, this is a modern myth for a generation who deserve epic stories of their own.

Our first ever Middle Years musical, The Lightning Thief promises all the heart, humour, and high-octane chaos that only a cast of imaginative, fearless young performers can deliver. Expect laughter, lightning, and a quest that just might sweep you up in its storm.

Chicago: Teen Edition

Few musicals command the kind of adoration that Chicago inspires. Sharp, stylish, provocative and wickedly entertaining, it remains one of Broadway’s most iconic works—and one of the most technically demanding. As our campus stages its first Senior Years musical, our performers will embrace that challenge with characteristic maturity, discipline and flair, stepping into a world of syncopated rhythms, ensemble storytelling, and Fosse-inspired choreography that demands precision and sophistication.

Set in the jazz-soaked 1920s, Chicago: Teen Edition brings the glittering, dangerous world of celebrity criminals into razor-sharp focus. Here, ambition and notoriety collide, and America’s fascination with fame—however ill-gotten—takes centre stage. The dazzling score by Kander and Ebb, the team behind Cabaret, propels us through a satirical landscape of media frenzy, courtroom spin, and show-business bravado that feels as contemporary as ever.

Amidst all that heat, Velma Kelly, Roxie Hart and the unforgettable denizens of the Cook County Jail plunge us into a whirlwind of ambition, charisma and showbiz sparkle. In true Chicago fashion, they’re ready to “paint the town” with tight choreography, bold storytelling and irresistible musicality. From “All That Jazz” to “Razzle Dazzle,” this production celebrates the enduring brilliance of a musical that continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Buckley Hall

Directed by Jacinta Shannon

Madagascar A Musical Adventure JR

Get ready to move it, move it! The Buckley House stage is set to come alive in 2026 with our vibrant production of Madagascar Jr: A Musical Adventure! Based on the DreamWorks animated hit, this wildly funny and heartwarming story follows Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Gira e, and Gloria the Hippo as they escape from New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the island of Madagascar.

Bursting with catchy songs, colourful characters, and hilarious antics, Madagascar Jr is a celebration of friendship, courage, and embracing who you are. Our talented Buckley House students are working hard to bring this beloved story to life singing, dancing, and acting their hearts out as they embody everyone’s favourite zoo crew and, of course, those mischievous penguins!

Audiences can expect dazzling costumes, lively choreography, and a jungle’s worth of energy from start to finish. The production promises plenty of laughs, a few surprises, and a heartfelt message about belonging and adventure.

Join us as we “move it, move it” all the way to Madagascar for a show that will have you smiling, tapping your feet, and cheering for our incredible young performers. Don’t miss the 2026 Buckley House Musical — Madagascar Jr: A Musical Adventure — a feel-good, family-friendly spectacle that’s sure to be the highlight of the year!

The Drama Club

Student Led

The Drama Club is a welcoming and creative space where students come together to explore theatre, collaborate, and express themselves. Open to all students, regardless of experience or skill level, the club celebrates curiosity, participation, and a shared love of storytelling.

Students can engage in acting and character development or contribute behind the scenes across a range of production roles, including directing, set and lighting design, costuming, hair and make-up, sound, and promotion. Supported by sta and each other, students learn new skills, build confidence, and play an active role in shaping the work they create.

Across Terms 2 and 3, the Drama Club works collectively to build a show from the ground up - developing scenes, refining production elements, and discovering what it takes to bring a performance to life. This process culminates in a final performance that reflects the dedication, creativity, and teamwork of everyone involved.

Whether stepping into the spotlight or crafting the magic behind the curtain, every student has a place to shine in The Drama Club.

Disney’s Finding Nemo JR

Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez

Dive head-first into a splashy, high-energy underwater adventure that will have audiences grinning from fin to fin. This fast-paced, 60-minute musical brings Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo to the stage with vibrant colour, big laughs, and a heartwarming story beloved by all ages.

Join Marlin, the well-meaning but overcautious clownfish, as he swims across the vast ocean in search of his brave and curious son, Nemo. When Nemo is captured, Marlin must face his fears and venture far beyond his comfort zone. Along the way, he is joined by Dory, a hilariously forgetful but endlessly optimistic companion whose humour and kindness help guide their journey. Their adventure introduces a host of unforgettable characters, from laid-back sea turtles and friendly reef fish to sharks determined to prove they are more than their reputation.

Featuring catchy songs, energetic choreography, and imaginative staging, Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. transforms the stage into a colourful underwater world full of movement and life. Performers bring the ocean to life through creative costumes, ensemble-driven storytelling, and playful theatrical moments.

This production is a joyful celebration of bravery, friendship, and believing in yourself. With colourful costumes, creative puppetry, and nonstop fun, Finding Nemo JR. promises an ocean-sized adventure that will captivate families and leave everyone ready to “just keep swimming!”