The recent staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel at the University of the Free State (UFS) marked a significant moment in international collaboration between the UFS and Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. Held at the Wynand Mouton Theatre on 21 and 22 June, the production brought together students and staff from SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, the UFS’s Odeion School of Music (OSM), and the UFS Department of Drama and Theatre Arts.

The project originated from PERB 5310, a musical theatre class at SMU, and was produced and entirely funded by SMU. All production responsibilities, including the hiring of the stage director, were managed by SMU as part of its SMU-in-South-Africa Study Abroad Programme, which forms part of a broader academic initiative combining performance with learning. It includes modules such as Human Rights, taught by Dr Brad Klein.

Building the play

The collaboration was initiated through discussions between Marius Coetzee, Manager of Innovation and Development at the OSM, and Prof Barbara Hill-Moore, Senior Associate Dean and Meadows Distinguished Professor of Voice at SMU. Crucial support in negotiating the project came from Prof Jan Beukes, Artistic and Operational Head of the OSM. These joint efforts helped establish a shared artistic vision that brought students and faculty across institutions into one cohesive ensemble.

Stage direction was led by Dr Thys Heydenrych, Programme Director for Drama and Theatre Arts at UFS, who worked closely with the SMU team and students. His role formed part of a broader collaborative effort involving other UFS staff such as Dr Albertus Engelbrecht, Prof Anmari van der Westhuizen, and Vocal Coach Hans Potgieter. Musical direction was shared between Prof Hill-Moore, Dr Engelbrecht, and pianist/ vocal coach Prof Brian Bentley, with Prof Van der Westhuizen conducting the OSM Camerata.

A transformative experience 

For many students and faculty, the experience proved to be both transformative and enriching. Prof Hill-Moore described the welcome they received on arrival in Bloemfontein as “one of the most heartfelt” in her years of travel to South Africa. She reflected on how the collaboration quickly took shape through shared learning and daily rehearsal, and how students described the production as “life-changing” and “the most meaningful performance experience of my life”.

Beyond academic growth, Carousel responded to a cultural call in Bloemfontein. With professional musical theatre performances becoming increasingly rare in the region, the production drew strong audiences and renewed public interest in the genre. The positive reception has already prompted discussions about future collaborations, with a follow-up project planned for 2026. 

A lasting legacy of artistic exchange

This partnership stands as a model of global artistic exchange. It created lasting connections, expanded learning across disciplines, and demonstrated the power of music and theatre to unite people across borders. As the curtain closed on Carousel, a new chapter opened in the ongoing relationship between SMU and UFS, one built on shared creativity, mutual respect, and a commitment to excellence.