Day: 7 April 2026

At Roedean (SA), we are committed to cultivating not only academic excellence but also the creative and expressive potential of every pupil. Our Dramatic Arts programme provides a dynamic space in which students are encouraged to explore, challenge themselves, and grow in confidence. Central to this philosophy is the opportunity to engage with professionals working at the highest level of the industry, ensuring that learning remains both aspirational and grounded in real-world experience.

For our upcoming production, Top Women, which will be staged at the school from 21–23 May, we are privileged to welcome respected industry professional Hlumelo Moloi as co-director. Hlumelo’s involvement provides our students with additional insight, a fresh perspective on the material, and exposure to professional theatre practices, complementing the leadership and vision of Megan Martell, who has guided the bulk of the work on this production.

A Johannesburg-based director and performer, Hlumelo Moloi holds a BA Honours degree in Dramatic Arts from Wits University and is represented by MLA, one of South Africa’s leading talent agencies. Her diverse professional experience includes international commercial work, a notable Nando’s advertisement, and a lead role in the short film Weird Kisses, directed by Billy Badi. As co-founder of the theatre company TOP Comedy and a 2023 Naledi Theatre Award nominee for Seeing Other People, she brings both distinction and depth of insight to the rehearsal process.

In her co-directing role, Hlumelo has contributed to the casting process and guides an intensive rehearsal schedule, with sessions held several times a week after school, on selected Saturdays, and during the holidays. Her mentorship enriches the students’ understanding of the material, supports the development of authentic individual voices, and illustrates the level of discipline and commitment required in professional theatre.

At Roedean (SA), Dramatic Arts is valued as highly as any academic discipline. In the same spirit with which we celebrate excellence in mathematics, the sciences, sport, and music, we nurture and honour the artistic talents of our students. Each pupil’s strengths are recognised, and for many, the stage becomes a place of particular confidence and self-expression.

This production is far more than a performance. It is a space for growth, reflection, and self-discovery. Through Megan Martell’s leadership, Hlumelo’s professional guidance, and the students’ dedication and creativity, our pupils are learning to engage deeply with their work, with one another, and with their own potential. Every learner is afforded the opportunity to excel, and artistic achievement is celebrated as fully as any academic or sporting success.

The Roedean School (SA) Drama Department promises yet another riveting and explosive production with Top Women, produced by Ms Megan Martel, Dramatic Arts Teacher and Senior School English Teacher.

Ms Martel offers a rare and compelling combination of professional performance experience and academic expertise. She is familiar to audiences from the Wild at Heart, as well as a range of television commercials. Her firsthand experience in the industry enriches her teaching by bringing the classroom to life and making learning both engaging and tangible. This unique blend of practice and pedagogy informs Top Women, shaping it into a production that is both intellectually rigorous and emotionally resonant.

The title of this production reflects its inspiration from Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, where a recruitment agency serves as the central meeting point for a group of women reflecting on their lives. In Top Women, this idea is expanded to celebrate the promotion of the central character, Marlene, to CEO of the Top Women Recruitment Agency. However, the play moves beyond celebration. It creates space for powerful women to share their stories and reflect on the sacrifices, struggles, and complexities behind their achievements through a series of monologues.

As Ms Martel explains:
“Top Women is not simply a celebration of success, but an exploration of what that success demands. It reveals the choices, compromises, and silences that often shape women’s journeys to positions of power.”

At its core, the play explores what it truly means to be a woman in a position of power, particularly within spaces that were not originally designed for women to occupy. It interrogates the emotional, personal, and societal costs of ambition, inviting audiences to reflect on what it means to be seen and heard in today’s world, while acknowledging the historical forces that continue to shape these experiences.

Ms Martel has long been inspired by the structure and themes of Top Girls, particularly its exploration of how female empowerment and ambition are often intertwined with sacrifice within a historically patriarchal society. The idea of creating a meeting point for women from different moments in time, each bringing her own story, perspective, and voice, was especially compelling. In Top Women, she expands on this by bringing together women who have inspired not only herself, but millions across the globe. The production recontextualises these ideas for a contemporary South African audience, highlighting figures who symbolise resistance, resilience, and transformation across Africa and beyond.

It was important that both students and parents could connect with the stories on stage. The play aims to create a sense of intergenerational dialogue, emphasising that many of the challenges women face are universal and remain deeply relevant today. Through her experiences in educational and professional spaces, Ms Martel has engaged with individuals from diverse backgrounds, shaping a perspective that is both empathetic and expansive. This production honours those experiences and offers audiences the opportunity to see the world through multiple perspectives.

When selecting a piece for the Roedean (SA) students, Ms Martel was initially drawn to Top Girls, but became increasingly interested in developing something that speaks more directly to our present context. Roedean’s values centre on nurturing future leaders, and this production serves as both a reflection and a source of inspiration for what leadership looks like for women today. By engaging with the past and interrogating the present, the play invites audiences to imagine new possibilities for the future.

Through extensive research, and the inclusion of carefully selected songs that echo the struggles and triumphs of the characters, Top Women continues to amplify the voices of women who have challenged systems and reshaped narratives throughout history. It serves as a reminder that change is often gradual, and that many stories still need to be told. Many voices still deserve to be heard.