APGS SEMESTER 1 2023 NEWSLETTER

Performing Arts

Our Semester 1 Performing Arts (PA) program culminated in 3 showcases, and 5 performances throughout June. Students from their PA classes and those selected from auditions shone on stage in the Dance and Musical Theatre, Drama, and Music Showcases.

‘PRIME TIME LIVE’ DANCE & MUSICAL THEATRE SHOWCASE

Our Dance and Musical Theatre showcase, Prime Time Live, invited the audience to take a break from the couch and streaming channels to be immersed in live channel surfing through numbers representing the best of prime time entertainment.

Directed by Melissa Ayers, the stage ‘screen’ featured performances reenacting, interpreting and reimagining some of our favourite tv shows, movies, music videos, award shows and music videos.

Both the matinee and evening performances saw our students ‘wow’ and delight the packed Tom Mann Theatre. We thank our Industry tutors for sharing their creativity and expertise in guiding and mentoring our students to perform with such professionalism and star-quality.

Drama Showcase

Our Senior Drama Company production showcased Our Town by Thornton Wilder, with a cameo of short pieces performed by a selection of Year 7, 8 and 11 Drama students. Directed by actor & writer Jake Fryer-Hornsby, with the support of actress and theatremaker Harriet Gordon-Anderson, Our Town is a three-act play created by American playwright Thornton Wilder in 1938. It presents the fictional American town of Grover’s corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens where a series of pivotal moments throughout the characters’ lives reveal their relationships and challenges. This play recognises all of the seemingly mundane parts of life that feel insignificant until you leave your small town, or your home. This is a play that is about a very specific hometown where everyone feels at home, no matter where that is. It’s a lesson for us all, that we must embrace and appreciate the value of life itself.

The calibre of the students’ performances was exceptional and, as one audience member commented “the play could have been performed at the Griffin Theatre to sell-out crowds” – such was the professionalism and stellar performances of the cast. The lighting and sound were coordinated and operated by our student stage production crew, who equally shone on the night.

Music Showcase

Our Music Showcase, with both matinee and evening performances at the Tom Mann Theatre sold out, featured 29 musical items performed by our talented and accomplished musicians and vocalists from Years 7 to 12. The audience was transported through a range of musical genres, from soul and funky blues to a spectrum of rock and pop. All our performing arts program classes were on stage, together with soloists, small and large ensembles, and students who were selected through our audition process.

Directed by Lisa Gardner, the Music Showcase was a celebration and reflection of not only our students’ hard work and dedication to the craft, but also a testament of the APGS Performing Arts program and our outstanding Industry tutors. It reflects the wonderful collaborative efforts between tutor and students, and also students and students. Musical performance is so much more than technical skills. It provides an opportunity for building skills in collaboration, building confidence, as well as growth in personal expression. It has been such a joy to see the students work on their performances and we were proud of every student on stage, for their contributions to the musical life at APGS.

Ella Fraser

Dux of Year 12 (2021)

1. What did you study in Year 12? What were your most memorable experiences?

The courses I chose for my HSC subjects were English Advanced, English Extension 1&2, PDHPE, Drama and Design and Technology. My most memorable experience was definitely English Extension, as it allowed me to not only analyse and understand literature but being able to appreciate and enjoy it. I also enjoyed creating my major work for this subject, which was a short film. Creating it allowed for an exploration of creativity, one with no restraints where I was able to create work that meant something to me.

2. What are you currently studying?

I am currently at UTS studying a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Media Arts and Production. The driving factor behind choosing this degree was actually the short film I created for English Extension. I had so much fun creating it and felt so excited throughout the process. I have always been interested in television and film but the process of creating my short film helped clarify what career path I wanted to choose.

3. Do you have any future plans? How will this degree contribute to your future aspirations?

My future plans involve any career in the industry, mainly focusing on directing, writing or set design. My current major in my degree focuses on learning about all aspects and jobs involved with filmmaking.Teaching filmmaking with a holistic approach helps me gain a better understanding of what career I want and how the industry works. I have gained so much insight and knowledge about the industry through this degree.

4. Do you have any advice for the current senior students on how to navigate Year 12 and beyond?

I think the biggest factor of stress amongst year 12 students is often lack of time, so I would advise any year 12 students to have a study plan and follow it so they don’t fall behind. I don’t think year 12 has to be a very stressful time, I think it should be a time for students to enjoy their final year. The best way to do this is to plan ahead and not leave everything to the last minute, allowing for a balance of studying and relaxing. I think balance is important so you remember to not burn yourself out. I think it’s also important to enjoy the subject you are taking and engage with them beyond the marking criteria, it will be far more motivating if you connect with what you’re learning about. After year 12 can be a difficult time period navigating life outside of highschool but it is also a great time to learn about yourself and your future, it is something to look forward to and not fear.

Izel Searle Garduno

Dux of Year 12 (2022)

DRAMA @ REBEL THEATRE EXCURSION

Year 9 and Year 10 drama students attended a remarkable performance of ‘The Resistance’ at the Rebel Theatre, home of ATYP. This interactive piece of theatre asked the audience members to use their phones, shout ideas, and even participate in the play. We had the best time and afterwards left feeling inspired to get more involved in our communities and issues important for the protection of our environment.

Hsc Drama Excursion To Onstage

Year 11 and Year 12 Drama students attended the OnStage performances and presentations at the Seymour Centre. This NESA selected program features exemplary group and individual performances, script writing and video drama by 2022 HSC Drama students. The performances inspired Year 12 to further develop their own Individual Projects.

Year 12 Hsc Drama Excursion How To Devise Theatre

Year 12 Drama students were privileged to be involved in a workshop in collaboration with The Little Eggs theatre company at the Seymour Centre. This workshop devising theatre workshop focused on how ideas can be ignited and developed into theatre. Year 12 created tableaux to reflect their themes before expanding into the moving scenes. The practical, interactive, collaborative nature of this workshop was both engaging and inspiring for our Year 12 as they were beginning to create their own devised HSC Group Performances (GPs)

- Emily Turpin

Shakespeare Carnival2023

AREASOFCOMPETITIONINCLUDE: DUOLOGUES,ENSEMBLEPIECES(SCRIPTEDAND DEVISED),DANCE,MUSICCOMPOSITIONANDSMART

Year 12 Design And Technology

Year 12 Design and Technology students attended Shape 2022 at the Powerhouse Ultimo.

Nsw Shakespeare Carnival

The Sport for Jove Shakespeare Carnival is a NSW State-wide competition where students create their own self-devised theatrical worlds through acting, dance and movement pieces inspired by and celebrating the work of William Shakespeare.

Following our own APGS Shakespeare competition, three groups entered the State regional competitions which saw our Dance and Physical Theatre performances reach the NSW Finals, held at the Seymour Centre.

Congratulations to our Dance group who came 2nd for their Hamlet performance, our 3rd-placed Physical Theatre group and the Year 12 Isaia Ta’ale who was selected for the 2023 Overall Movement Award.

Dance: ‘Hamlet’: Isaia Ta’ale, Taneisha King, June Reeve Physical Theatre: ‘Macbeth’: Katarina Nad, Elie Slowgrove, Ebony Dodds, Marcus Tzikas, Felix Fox, Oli Kumar, Elliot Domoney, Isaia Ta’ale. (need to add the kids who helped out, eg replaced Felix and I think Marcus?)

Class Clowns

Class Clowns is a national secondary school comedy competition which encourages teenagers with a talent for comedy to unleash their comic voice through stand-up, sketch, musical or physical comedy. Angel Fisher and Valentina Flores represented APG where they rehearsed, polished and refined their acts with a professional comedian prior to performing to a live audience.

Shape 2022 presents exemplary projects from the 2022 High School Certificate Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design courses, showcasing ingenious solutions developed by young, futureoriented design thinkers.

We had the pleasure of participating in a NESA Seminar by Stella Otoole, who shared her wealth of expertise and advice on the Year 12 D&T syllabus. The students engaged in a Q&A session with Stella at the completion of the seminar and were provided with feedback on their individual projects.

Hsc Music Master Class

BY JULIAN KUO

HSC music vocalists participated in a fabulously productive masterclass and workshop with Julian Juo - a current cast member of “Hamilton” the musical, and former tutor at APGS. Students performed some of their HSC songs as work in progress and along with feedback, were given some wonderful strategies and tools to improve the expression and effectiveness of their performances.