Matilda
The Musical JR
Young Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!
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Want to be a part of this musical? Enrol online today!
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FOR: Ages 9-15
REHEARSING: Term 4 2025 and Term 1, 2026
REHEARSAL STUDIO: Perform Australia Studios, 12/38 Reed St N, Greenway ACT 2900
CLASS TIMES: Choose from either:
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Friday, 3:45pm-6:45pm
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Saturday AM, 9:30am-12:30pm
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Saturday, 1:00pm-4:00pm
PERFORMANCES: You MUST be available on the following dates:
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Dress rehearsal - Thursday 26th or Friday 27th, or Saturday 28th March, depending on your cast
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Performances on Saturday 28th March and Sunday 29th March, 2026.
PERFORMANCE VENUE: Canberra College Theatre
COST: $380 per term (two -term commitment)
About Roald Dahl's
Matilda the Musical JR
Book by Dennis Kelly
Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Orchestrations and Additional Music by Chris Nightingale
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by Music Theatre International (Australasia).
www.mtishows.com.au
Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, and with music by renowned Australian composer-performer Tim Minchin, this musical is sure to delight young and old. Challenged by a difficult school environment and parents who don't understand her giftedness, she finally finds acceptance amongst her friends and thanks to teacher Miss Honey's attention.
What happens in a musical theatre production class?
If you've never been a part of a musical theatre production class before, here's what you can expect, week to week. Every week includes different educational content designed by professional actors and educators.
CHECK-IN
We begin with connection - checking in with the kids to see how they're going. This helps take the temperature of the room, as well as build friendships within the group.
WARM-UP
Like athletes, actors warm up their voice and body. We spend a few minutes preparing for the work we're about to do. Sometimes it may also involve an energiser game.
SINGING & CHOREOGRAPHY
Students learn songs under the tutelage of the show's musical director, and dance under the choreographer.
SCRIPT WORK/
REHEARSAL
Students put singing and dance together with scene work (acting). Over the weeks of the program, they rehearse the show in chunks, until such time as the whole show is ready to come together as a complete work.
Be a part of this show and:
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Learn singing, dancing and acting skills with trained professional performers
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Get your own copy of the script to keep forever
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Receive your own team t-shirt
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Make new friends
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Wear fabulous costumes
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Enjoy the buzz of being in a show
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Perform for family and friends in a real theatre!
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No experience is necessary to join this class, however we do find that once you try your first musical, you'll be coming back again and again for more!
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About your director
Sarah McDowall
Sarah McDowall studied with Perform Australia to achieve her Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen in 2020. She also holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as well as graphic design training. Sarah is passionate about both acting and working with children. Sarah was recently seen on stage in several Canberra productions, including School of Rock, American Idiot, and Sanity.
Sarah has been involved in teaching on a number of past musicals with Perform Australia, including Peter Pan Jr, Adventures of a Comic Book Artist, Oliver Jr., Sound of Music, and High School Musical.
This is the eighth musical Sarah has directed, following The Sound of Music Youth Edition, High School Musical Jr, Frozen Jr, High School Musical 2 Jr, Alice in Wonderland Jr and Shrek The Musical Jr.
Roles in the show
All students get ample stage time during the performance, whether they are part of our ensemble of back-up singers and dancers, or they have a character role. Often the ensemble play multiple roles through the performance (such as school children, teachers, and so on that require multiple costume changes and several song-and-dance numbers). Being part of the ensemble is just as important as being a lead role.
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There is an audition process for students who want to try out for a character role, which usually happens in Week 2-3 of the rehearsal process. Students who would like to audition for a role will need to sing one of the songs from the show (we teach it in Week 1) and also read a portion of the script.
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How roles are cast
The show's director has the final say on who receives which role. Casting is a very difficult process and the show's leadership team often spends multiple hours on it. Not everyone will get the role they want, but we do ask parents to support our decisions for the good of the show and the experience of the children.
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Tickets
Tickets go on sale 4-6 weeks before the show, from our website. Tickets to the show cost $35.
Other classes you may be interested in
Many children do more than one class with Perform Australia each week! Take a look at some of our other programs that may support your child as a performer.
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