This month marks the return of the Junior School Musical – a beloved  tradition that has delighted audiences for years! 

Musicals of the past have included Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Shrek, and many more. This year’s show, Matilda Jr., is based on the classic Roald Dahl story about a precocious young girl who develops telekinetic powers to defend herself from her cruel family and her diabolical school headmistress, Miss Trunchball. 

The Junior School play took a hiatus after the COVID-19 pandemic, and its absence was sorely missed by students and teachers alike. Because of the time, preparation, and dedication the cast and crew devote to putting on a school play, the experience is like no other. Students learn how to memorize lines, problem solve, take feedback, work as a team, and support one-another as they strive toward a common goal. The feeling of accomplishment after performing for a live crowd of proud parents, siblings, and friends is inspiring and has instilled the acting bug into many past performers at Collingwood. Plenty of these students have gone on to participate in Senior School productions, and even film, theatre, and TV projects beyond the walls of Collingwood.

Anticipation of this year’s musical is so high that opening night tickets sold out in less than 20 minutes! Our performers should be so proud.

We looked through our archives to reminisce over musicals and plays of the past, and couldn’t help but share these photos with our community as part of our 40th Anniversary celebrations. Take a look!