PRETORIA – 19 August 2026 – Who is the next Belle?
OAK Youth Theatre has officially begun the search, launching Finding Belle, a new online campaign inviting young artists to put their own voice to one of musical theatre’s most beloved characters.
The campaign forms part of OAK Youth Theatre’s search for the full cast of its 2027 production of Beauty and the Beast, which will take to the stage at the Fairtree Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria from 8 to 18 July 2027.
Following OAK’s recent production of Hercules, Beauty and the Beast marks the next chapter in more than a decade of developing young artists through professional training, mentorship and large-scale theatre productions.
At the heart of the audition campaign is Finding Belle – an opportunity for aspiring Belles to introduce themselves to the creative team before they even enter the audition room.
Young artists who see themselves in Belle are invited to post a video on social media singing a song that represents the character to them. It does not need to be a song from Beauty and the Beast. Instead, participants are encouraged to choose something that, in their view, captures Belle’s character, personality, journey or spirit.
To enter, artists must post their video publicly, tag OAK Youth Theatre, use #FindingBelle, and complete the official Beauty and the Beast audition form.
Every valid Finding Belle entry will receive a guaranteed callback audition for the role of Belle, taking place on 2 and 3 October 2026 in Centurion. Participation in the campaign does not guarantee casting in the role, with final casting decisions remaining with OAK Youth Theatre’s creative team.
“If you see yourself in Belle, OAK Youth Theatre wants to hear your voice.”
But the search doesn’t stop with Belle.
OAK Youth Theatre is inviting young artists aged 25 and under to audition for roles across the production, whether their strength lies in singing, dancing or acting. Both experienced performers and those at the beginning of their theatre journey are encouraged to audition.
Roles include Belle, Beast / The Prince, Gaston, Maurice, Lumière, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts, Chip, Babette, Madame de la Grande Bouche, The Enchantress and LeFou, alongside further opportunities within the ensemble.
For OAK, Beauty and the Beast is not simply a recreation of a familiar story. The 2027 production is being built from scratch, with a new script, new music, new choreography, new design and a completely new creative vision. It will give a new generation of OAK artists the opportunity to make these well-known characters their own.
The creative team includes Cameron Botha as director, Charmain Botha as resident director, Tarryn Botha as choreographer and Jaco Smit as musical director.
The production continues OAK Youth Theatre’s commitment to creating professional-standard musical theatre with young performers. Previous productions include Shrek The Musical and The Little Mermaid, both of which received Naledi Theatre Award nominations.
Those achievements form part of OAK’s broader purpose: not simply to give young artists the opportunity to perform on stage, but to prepare them for the standards, discipline, collaboration and experience of professional theatre.
The first round of in-person auditions for Beauty and the Beast will take place on:
18 and 19 September 2026
Kerk-In-Suid
305 Cotie Avenue, Wierdapark, Centurion
Artists who cannot attend the first round in person may submit a video audition. Callback auditions will take place on 2 and 3 October 2026 and must be attended in person.
The Finding Belle campaign closes on 18 September 2026. Participation in Finding Belle is not required to audition for Belle; artists may also apply for the role through the regular audition process.
Whether you see yourself as Belle, Beast, Gaston, Lumière, Chip or part of the ensemble, OAK Youth Theatre wants to hear from you.
The next chapter of Beauty and the Beast begins here.
Applications and full audition information:
www.oakyt.co.za
Beauty and the Beast
OAK Youth Theatre
8–18 July 2027
Fairtree Atterbury Theatre, Pretoria
#FindingBelle
Hazelmakofane483@gmail.com