Over two decades ago, Kay Cheytanov, a determined working mom and performer, founded 3RC, an organisation dedicated to educating and inspiring youth and their families.

Through 3RC, Cheytanov combined her passion for education and performance with her commitment to her child’s future by creating the Rocking Future Career Expos. These expos empower high school learners across South Africa to identify their career paths by exploring various post-school study opportunities.

Last year, Cheytanov launched the High Five shows, which are currently being implemented in major cities across South Africa from July to October this year. These shows aim to engage approximately 26 000 learners in grades 1 to 4.

Read more: High Five theatre tour comes to Midrand this September

Designed as an interactive theatre experience, High Five addresses the stress and anxiety that children face in our digital age. The tour will kick off in Midrand on September 8 at Curro Sagewood, followed by a performance at Pinnacle College Waterfall on September 9.

This production, from 3RC, is led by a seasoned team with over 25 years of expertise in educational initiatives. High Five is an empowering experience that teaches children the values of kindness, resilience, safety, bravery, and self-acceptance. Targeted at children aged 8 to 11, this interactive theatre show tackles prevalent issues, such as stress, anxiety, and bullying, equipping learners with essential tools to confront these challenges head-on.

Cheytanov’s initiative was inspired by her daughter’s struggles with bullying. “High Five was born from something deeply personal – an experience many parents will recognise. I watched my daughter, still so young, show signs of anxiety and depression. Not the kind of nervousness we brush off, but real worry affecting her sleep, confidence, and spirit.

“It was heartbreaking. She was being bullied, and didn’t know how to communicate to me that she was struggling. It made me realise, we’re waiting too long to teach children how to manage their emotions. As adults, we often start learning emotional tools only after we’ve already broken down.

“But what if we equipped children with those tools early – before fear takes root and silence becomes the norm? That’s where the idea began: To create something joyful, powerful, and unforgettable that would provide young learners with practical life skills through playful interactions rather than therapeutic sessions.”

This campaign harnesses the transformative power of performance to deliver crucial mental health and wellness messages, enabling children to confront and overcome daily challenges.

“Keeping our children safe in this digital-driven world is a concern for many parents today, and the campaign focuses on helping children deal with the stresses and pressures they face. My dream is for this programme to continue expanding, reaching and helping more children, schools, and families every year.”

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