2026
PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Beaconhills College acknowledges the Wurundjeri and Bunurong - Boon Wurrung peoples as the Traditional Custodians of this Land on which our College is built. We pay deep respect to Elders past and present and honour the strong leadership that is evident in the emerging Elders of tomorrow.
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
As a College, we are proud to present our 2026 Performing Arts Program, which encompasses a rich array of events and opportunities across both campuses, from Prep to Year 12, as well as special occasions that bring us together as a whole school. This year’s planning has been guided by several key themes; offering diverse opportunities that honour and enable pathways for students’ interests across a broad spectrum, providing meaningful experiences beyond the classroom (highlighted by our inaugural Adelaide International Festival Tour) and seeking innovation through new programming and events that challenge and extend our students, such as Soldier Boy, the 2026 Berwick Years 9-12 play.
Performing arts remains a safe and vibrant space for students to explore their passions – dance, drama, theatre technology or music – while also building strong, positive relationships with their peers. We are delighted to welcome back talented alumni who are joining us in creative roles for the first time. Gemma Valastro, will direct the Years 9-12 play, and Annaliece Simonis will serve as Choreographer for the Pakenham Years 8-12 musical. These ongoing connections with our alumni community are an important part of the Beaconhills College story.
a broader community event, raising funds to support the Foundation’s work. We are pleased that the Battle of the Bands will return as a regular event in 2026, alongside a new Night of Jazz concert in May, which will also contribute to fundraising for the Beacon of Hope Foundation.
Many people have contributed to planning and selecting material for 2026 including students, always with the aim of engaging and extending our audience of students, families and community. I look forward to welcoming you to the diverse and inspiring events ahead in 2026.
Strengthening partnerships across diverse areas of the College continues to be a central part of the 2026 Performing Arts Program. One of the significant connections to emerge in 2025 was with the Beacon of Hope Foundation. Through a student-led Battle of the Bands event in August, we transformed a student initiative into
Dr Chris McGillen College Director of Performing Arts
M A R C H 4–8 MAR 2026
Years 10-12
ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TOUR
12–13 MAR 2026, 7PM 14 MAR 2026, 1.30PM BLACK BOX, BERWICK
Years 9-12 play
THE BLACK BOX SERIES
Soldier Boy – Anthony Hill
DIRECTOR Gemma Valastro (alum)
A unique five-day immersion in dance, drama, music and musical theatre events at one of Australia’s longest running festivals. Senior students will experience the full range of professional productions on offer.
Soldier Boy is a full-length dramatisation of the tragic story of 14-year-old Jim Martin who lied about his age, joined the army in 1915, and died of typhoid after just seven weeks in Gallipoli. This is a moving and relevant reflection on loss in conflict and the ongoing impact on families and loved-ones.
12–13 MAR 2026, 7PM 14 MAR 2026, 1PM BLACK BOX, PAKENHAM
Years 5-8 play
THE BLACK BOX SERIES
James and the Giant Peach – Roald Dahl
DIRECTOR Daniel Brock
The plot centres on a young English orphan boy who enters a gigantic, magical peach, and has a wild and surreal cross-world adventure with seven magically altered garden bugs he meets.
M A Y 22 MAY 2026, 6-8PM YEARS 7 AND 8 CENTRE, PAKENHAM
Years 7-12
JAZZ NIGHT – CROSS CAMPUS
(NEW EVENT)
28 MAY 2026 LOIS MAGHANOY CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, PAKENHAM
YEARS 9-12 PRODUCTION 26 MAY 2026 TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK
2026 SEISA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – the musical DIRECTOR Ruth Taylor Madin CO-MUSICAL DIRECTORS
Lisa Sutton / Tiana Pain
This new event in the 2026 performing arts calendar shines a light on our contemporary and jazz programs at both campuses. In a relaxed atmosphere, our College ensembles will entertain, with some featured soloists across a range of instruments. A Beacon of Hope Foundation fundraiser.
Beaconhills College is hosting this special event that brings together musicians from the network of SEISA schools. For many participants, it’s a chance to renew friendships and make new connections, as they are led in combined ensembles and choirs by leading conductors and educators.
CHOREOGRAPHER
Annaliece Simonis (alum) CONDUCTOR Brad Kelley The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination.
J U N E 15 JUN 2026, 6PM TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK 18 JUN 2026, 6PM LOIS MAGHANOY CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, PAKENHAM
Years 3-12
WINTER MUSIC
23 JUN 2026, 6PM LOIS MAGHANOY CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, PAKENHAM 24 JUN 2026, 6PM TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK
J U LY
30 JUL–1 AUG 2026 TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK
YEARS 5 -8 PRODUCTION
PREP-YEAR 12 DANCE CELEBRATION
The Wizard of Oz EVENT DIRECTOR EVENT DIRECTOR
Brad Kelley (Berwick and Pakenham) Celebrating our Choral and Ensemble Program at each campus, this event will involve students from Years 3 to 12 in an engaging and diverse evening of music-making.
Hannah Witteveen (Berwick) Ruth Taylor Madin (Pakenham) This event highlights the depth and diversity of our Dance Program across the entire College. Students begin their pathway in Dance from Prep and are provided with a range of styles to explore - from Contemporary through to Ballet. Our senior VCE dancers will feature in these concerts.
– the musical
DIRECTOR Stephanie French
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Elizabeth Sutherland CHOREOGRAPHER Hannah Witteveen
A one-hour adaptation of the RSC version of Baum’s classic tale, specially designed for young performers.
A U G U S T 6–7 AUG 2026 LOIS MAGHANOY CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, PAKENHAM
YEAR 4 PRODUCTION
28 AUG 2026, 6-8.15PM TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK 25 AUG 2026 LOIS MAGHANOY CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS / YEARS 7 AND 8 CENTRE, PAKENHAM
BATTLE OF THE SUPER BANDS
2026 SEISA DANCE / THEATRE SPORTS
This is a student led event.
Spring Chicken – the musical
This chicky is no longer yellow and small (well, still yellow!) and is well and truly ready for an adventure! Join the feisty Chickalita in this story of unlikely friendships, big dreams and a whole lot of singing!
This SEISA network event is hosted by Beaconhills and provides our Drama and Dance students an opportunity to connect with students across our region. Students have the opportunity to learn from leading industry professionals through workshops, followed by a combined performance.
The successful Battle of the Bands is a contemporary music showcase event, now in its second year. It’s a chance to see student and staff musicians battle it out on stage to be crowned the winner in a highly competitive but engaging event. A Beacon of Hope Foundation fundraiser.
N O V E M B E R
S E P T E M B E R 10 SEP 2026, 5PM AND 7PM TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK
Years 3-12
BEACONHILLS PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL
O C T O B E R 15 – 16 OCT 2026 TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK
YEAR 4 PRODUCTION
24 NOV 2026 TONY SHEUMACK CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BERWICK 25 NOV 2026 LOIS MAGHANOY CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, PAKENHAM
SEMESTER 2 PREP TO YEAR 12 DANCE CELEBRATION
Pirates vs Mermaids DIRECTOR Stephanie French CHOREOGRAPHER Hannah Witteveen MUSIC DIRECTOR Elizabeth Sutherland
Time and Space EVENT DIRECTOR Chris McGillen
Bringing together drama, dance and music (Years 3-12), culminating in a spectacular finale item that celebrates what we can achieve as a whole school! With more than than 400 students. involved in 2026, it is an event unique to our College.
Heave-ho and away we go on a fantastic musical journey, full of catch-of-the-day fresh songs and one thrilling adventure. We challenge you not to laugh out loud with this witty smiler of a script – and be singing along all the way from the first rehearsal to the final curtain call!
EVENT DIRECTOR
Hannah Witteveen (Berwick) Ruth Taylor Madin (Pakenham) This final event for our Dance Program is a celebration of participation, growth and excellence as we witness the journey of more than 300 students.
Pakenham Campus: 30-34 Toomac Valley Road, Pakenham VIC 3810 Berwick Campus: 92 Kangan Drive, Berwick VIC 3806 1300 002 225 | enquiries@beaconhills.vic.edu.au | www.beaconhills.vic.edu.au CRICOS Provider No. 03182J