When Buddy Sacks first arrived at the National Children’s Theatre (NCT) as a shy 12-year-old autistic learner searching for a place to belong, he could never have imagined it would shape the course of his life.

For Jason Woollatt, now 13, the journey began after recovering from cochlear implant surgery following significant hearing loss. He arrived at NCT facing challenges that extended far beyond the stage.

Today, both young men credit the Johannesburg institution with transforming their lives, and their stories reveal why NCT’s upcoming production of Disney’s The Lion King JR, running from July 3 to 19, is about far more than entertainment.

Finding a voice through theatre

For Jason, who takes on the role of the villainous Scar, performing has become a source of confidence, healing and self-discovery.

“When I’m on stage, I just feel alive. I feel at home. I feel like I was born to do what I’m doing,” he said. “It gives me a warm feeling inside that I can’t quite describe.”

His path to the stage was anything but straightforward. During lockdown, Jason lost his hearing due to a cholesteatoma tumour and underwent multiple surgeries before receiving a cochlear implant. While speech therapy played an important role in his recovery, his family says theatre accelerated his progress in remarkable ways.

His mother, Claire Woollatt, said: “NCT seemed to fast-track his development far more than speech therapy ever did.

“The clarity with which he speaks now, his pronunciation, the way he’s learned to slow down his speech when he’s anxious- when he’s on stage, he speaks as though it comes from a completely different part of him.”

For Buddy, now 24 and living in London, NCT provided the foundation for a career in the performing arts.

After joining the theatre’s Saturday programme as a nervous pre-teen, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre and now works as a teaching assistant supporting autistic children.

“I was the only neurodivergent learner there when I first joined,” Buddy recalled. “But the coaches, especially the late Francois Theron, welcomed me with open arms.”

A defining moment came during his final showcase performance. “I was playing the Cowardly Lion, my family was watching, and I just knew; my heart belongs to the stage.”

A place where everyone belongs

Both Buddy and Jason believe the theatre’s culture of acceptance is what makes it unique.

“There was no othering. There was never any focus on ‘what’s that thing on your head?’” Claire said, referring to Jason’s cochlear implant.

“It was simply, ‘This is Jason.’ When we drop him off, he leaps out of the car and there’s always someone there ready to greet him with a hug. It’s like a family.”

That sense of belonging has inspired Jason’s own vision for the future.

“If I had my own theatre one day, I’d want it to be inclusive to all types of people,” he said. “You shouldn’t block out people who have disabilities, because those are actually our abilities. Everyone should be welcome.”

Their message to young people who feel different is equally powerful. “Keep being inspired,” Buddy advises. “Go and watch a play. Read. If you love theatre, nurture that passion.”

Jason agreed. “You mustn’t let people define you. You know who you are and you’re trying to be the best you can be. Just know there will be someone in this world who recognises you and loves you. You just need to find that person.”

Bringing the Pride Lands to life

This July, audiences will see 51 young performers bring the Pride Lands to life in a fresh interpretation of Disney’s The Lion King JR.

The production has been reimagined under the artistic direction of Ivor Jones, directed by Game Bovana and supported by vocal coach Nthambo Rapatla.

For Jason, the production carries a distinctly South African spirit.

“If you watch The Lion King somewhere in America, Hong Kong or Australia, you won’t get the same African feel that we have,” he said. “Seeing all these young performers on stage doing what they love is incredibly inspiring.”

From London, Buddy reflected on the enduring power of theatre.

“Theatre gives people a memory,” he says. “It takes your mind on a journey to another world.”

For NCT Chief Operating Officer, Bellinda Germeshuizen, those journeys are about much more than performance.

“Inclusion isn’t an add-on at NCT,” she said. “When we design for access, young people with disabilities and neurodivergent learners don’t just perform – they find their voice, build confidence and discover a community where they belong.”

As The Lion King JR opens this winter, the production promises not only spectacular entertainment but a reminder of what makes the National Children’s Theatre such a treasured institution; a place where every child, regardless of background, ability or circumstance, has the opportunity to discover their potential – and find where they belong.

Disney’s The Lion King JR. runs from July 3 to July 19 at the National Children’s Theatre, 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown, Johannesburg. Tickets are available through Quicket and via the National Children’s Theatre website.

Early booking is recommended, as performances are expected to sell out. Bookings for NCT’s The Lion are available at Quicket.

For school bookings, contact Nthabiseng Mmethi on 011 484 1584 or email nthabiseng@NCTheatreSA.org.za.