In celebration of international collaboration and the performing arts, the University of the Free State (UFS) will host a production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s musical Carousel at the Wynand Mouton Theatre on the Bloemfontein campus. This large-scale musical is the result of a long-standing partnership between the UFS and the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, and involves contributions from the Odeion School of Music (OSM) and the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts at the UFS. 

The production will take place on 21 June 2025 at 18:00 and 22 June 2025 at 14:00, and is open to the public free of charge. Open dress rehearsals will also be held on 19 and 20 June 2025 at 15:00, offering additional opportunities to experience the behind-the-scenes magic. 

Behind-the-curtain: a cross-continental collaboration 

The production is directed by Dr Thys Heydenrych, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, with Prof Barbara Hill Moore, Senior Associate Dean at the Meadows School of the Arts, serving as musical director. Prof Hill Moore praised the commitment and talent of the students and staff involved, noting the ambitious timeline:  

’’We are putting together a huge production – something that would typically take months - in just two and a half weeks.’’  

Twelve students from SMU are currently in Bloemfontein to rehearse and perform alongside UFS students. This collaboration is part of the SMU in South Africa study abroad programme, initiated in 2011 by Prof Hill Moore. The programme not only fosters artistic exchange but also promotes cross-cultural learning and social awareness. 

Beyond the stage: music meets human rights 

A unique feature of the SMU in South Africa programme is its academic component. Students attend a morning module focused on human rights, presented by Dr Brad Klein from the SMU. The course offers a comparative perspective on human rights in South Africa and the United States, encouraging critical engagement and deeper understanding. Afternoons are dedicated to intensive rehearsals as students prepare for their performances. 

A platform for growth and connection 

Marius Coetzee, Innovation and Development Manager at the OSM and a key facilitator of this initiative at the UFS, highlighted the benefits of such international partnerships. 

‘‘I saw this as an opportunity to expose our students to an internationalised context. Particularly after COVID-19, we needed to reimagine how we attract and retain students. I view this collaboration as a recruitment catalyst.”

Coetzee added that the experience has energised UFS students, many of whom are engaging with this genre of music theatre for the first time.  The collaboration not only builds artistic and academic capacity but also fosters friendships and professional networks that stretch across continents. 

An invitation to celebrate the Arts 

As the performance dates draw closer, Prof Hill Moore encourages the UFS community and the public to attend: 

‘’I want audiences to marvel at what our students have accomplished together in such a short time. Come and enjoy a beautiful show that celebrates unity, talent, and hard work.”