Twelve hours of non-stop performance. That’s what it took for a dedicated group of drama students to transform their love for the arts into a powerful charity challenge. Every song, dance, and dramatic moment was a step towards giving back and making a real difference for underserved communities.
Johannesburg, South Africa (27 May 2025) – In an incredibly inspiring display of using their talents for good, a group of 26 dedicated students and their three coaches from a local performing arts studio, Upstage Concepts, took centre stage for a cause close to their hearts on Thursday, 16 May.
Together, they committed to a 12-hour performing arts marathon, which ran from 18.30 pm to 6.30 am. Their epic night of singing, dancing, acting, and improvisation at the studio raised over R75,000 in donations for the Rivers Foundation, showcasing their passion for the arts and their powerful commitment to making a difference.
Family, friends, and members of the wider community rallied behind the initiative, sponsoring the young performers and donating goods that will go directly to those in need through the Rivers Foundation’s outreach programmes.
Expressing her pride in the students was Head Coach Jill Avis, who ran the event alongside two other dedicated coaches.
“These are amazing drama students who love to perform, and they wanted to use their talents and passion to help others. It’s been truly heartwarming to see how committed they were to giving back.”
The Rivers Foundation, known for its work supporting vulnerable communities with food, education, and healthcare, will distribute the donated items in the coming weeks.
This event highlighted the power of the arts to bring people together and demonstrated how young people can be leaders in creating positive change.
The studio hopes to make the charity challenge an annual tradition, proving that when creativity meets compassion, the results can be truly remarkable!
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