Glass Ceiling Arts Collective‘s weekly performing arts classes in West Auckland, are ramping up rehearsals for this year’s production of Beauty and the Beast Junior at Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre.
Glass Ceiling provides inclusive performing arts opportunities for people from marginalised communities, particularly young people with disabilities. Participants can choose from three weekly classes: theatre in Massey, singing in New Lynn, and dance in Kelston. The classes bring together people with and without disabilities to create, connect and build confidence through performance.
Mainstream siblings and peers are also encouraged to take part, helping foster friendships and a sense of belonging. Funding from the Your West Support Fund is helping Glass Ceiling deliver these classes across West Auckland, ensuring more young people can access performing arts opportunities. The organisation received $20,000 through the 2026 funding round.
The programme culminates each year in a public theatre production, and this year’s cast is preparing to bring the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast Junior to the stage. ‘The whole cast is super-excited and busy learning lines and songs,’ says Production Manager Briar Elliott. The show is a true community effort, with parents, grandparents and whānau helping to create costumes and sets. Briar says 26 performers aged between 12 and 31 are involved in the production, with each cast member taking on a named role.’It’s really important that each performer is recognised and valued as an individual, rather than as just a member of the ensemble,’ she says.
Briar believes inclusive productions help participants develop confidence while also showing the wider community what can be achieved when everyone has the opportunity to take part. ‘Classes are where young people work hard and play hard, often overcoming huge personal challenges, and they have every right to feel immensely proud of all they accomplish,’ says Briar.
Audiences can see Beauty and the Beast Junior at Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre from 3–5 September.
Learn more about Glass Ceiling Arts Collective at glassceilingartscollective.com or follow them on Facebook.
If you or your organisation could use support from The Trusts, find out how to apply at thetrusts.co.nz/our-funds.
