Daring to Dream: Reflecting on the Journey of Dare to Dream Jr.

It’s been a week since Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. lit up the Valletta Campus Theatre — the grand finale of this year’s Play in Production Programme at Hoi Polloi Academy.

What makes this production extraordinary is not just the music, the laughter, or the applause, but the fact that it was fully student-led. Eleven young people, aged 12 to 16, took on every aspect of theatre-making — from creative direction to stage management, from design to marketing — and brought to life a fully licensed Disney production.

Why We Do This

This programme exists because theatre is more than performance. It’s about learning to collaborate, communicate, solve problems, and take responsibility. My own journey began at a youth centre 24 years ago, when, at 14, I was dared to dream by Mario and Mary Grace Borg. That experience ignited a path that took me all the way to the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where I honed my craft as a theatre-maker. Today, it’s my privilege to pass on that baton to the next generation.

Watching Growth in Action

What struck me most this year was how the students grew — not just as performers, but as theatre-makers. Their communication improved, their IT skills flourished, their critical thinking sharpened, and their ability to give and take direction matured. They learned how to split themselves into teams — creative directors, stage managers, design teams — and then collaborate with the Musikidz Show Choir and our incredible mentors to create one unified vision.

The synergy between these groups was inspiring: from the way the PIPs guided the younger choir members to how they worked hand in hand with professionals, it was a living example of what “Engage, Explore, Express” — the HPA motto — really means.

A Team Effort

This growth would not have been possible without the guidance of an exceptional team of mentors:

• Elizabeth Camilleri (PwC) – Marketing

• Christine Calleja (Cloud 9 Design) – Poster & Visual Design

• Matthew Gellel – Lighting Design

• Maria Agius Muscat – Dance

• Nathalie Pace – Singing

• Sarah Grech – Costume Design

• Rebecca Ellul Wain – Scenic Painting

And, of course, the support of the HPA team — Ms Marilyn (logistics & wellbeing), Ms Maria Busuttil Delbridge (stage management), and Ms Amanda (daily coordination).

This programme has grown tenfold since last year: from a small experiment into a fully licensed Disney production in a professional theatre, with every aspect managed by students. It was a personal investment in their growth, and their ambition gave us the energy to dream even bigger. With this momentum, we’re already planning the return in July 2026 under a new banner: the Hoi Polloi Youths, the official youth company of Hoi Polloi Malta.

Spotlight on Musikidz

A word too about our Musikidz Show Choir. They rose brilliantly to the challenge of not just singing, but performing as a true show choir — with energy, movement, and authentic stage presence. Seeing them fully engaged on stage reminded me just how far they’ve come.

My heartfelt thanks go to Ms Nathalie Pace, who has led Musikidz with love and vision over the past two scholastic years. As the choir continues to grow, the baton now passes to Ms Claire Caruana, who will serve as Artistic Director for Musikidz.

The first milestone under her direction will be Harmonies of the Holidays – A Musikidz Christmas, their first public performance on Saturday 13th December 2025 at Spazju Kreattiv. From there, the choir will journey toward their exciting Awards Night at Teatru Salesjan on 30th May 2026.

Looking Ahead

What started as a dream has become a movement. Seeing our Play in Production students and Musikidz choir dare to dream, work hard, and shine has been nothing short of magical.

Here’s to dreaming bigger, working harder, and building the future of theatre in Malta, one young artist at a time.

Marco A Calleja

Executive & Artistic Lead – Hoi Polloi Malta

Programme Coordinator – Play in Production 2025