Senior Musical Production - We Will Rock You

CENTRAL COAST GRAMMAR SCHOOL PRESENTS

THE MUSICAL BY QUEEN AND BEN ELTON

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH HAL LEONARD AUSTRALIA PTY.

CCGS Performing Arts Centre 14, 15, 16 and 17 June 2023

CONTENTS From the Headmaster

4

From the Director

5

From the Musical Director

6

From the Choreographer

6

Lead Cast

7

Rock-estra

8

Ensemble

9

Student Crew

10

Staff

11

Central Coast Grammar School acknowledges the Darkinjung people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which the School is located. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this country.

FROM THE HEADMASTER “Open your eyes/Look up to the skies and see.”

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen These words from one of Queen’s most iconic songs have the power to inspire us all, especially our young people, to look at things in new ways and step out of our comfort zone.

It is this spirit that saw the vision of our Performing Arts Centre take shape, and it is the memory of imagining a bigger world together on this stage that lives on inside generations of students.

It is also a thought I will take with me as I move into the next stage of my life next year, and continue to fulfil my personal purpose in the world after work.

When I arrived at CCGS in 2008, music tuition took place in converted motel rooms on this very site. The only stage available was in the hall, and the creative talents of our staff and students were confined to learning and performing in cramped, dated spaces.

With the support of generous donors, some of whom are here tonight, this Performing Arts Centre was opened in 2014.

The Performing Arts offer a unique and dynamic platform for creativity and self-expression. Tonight, you will experience the breadth and depth of our Music, Dance and Drama programs throughout this production of We Will Rock You. You will feel the dedication, inspiration and perspiration that creates such brilliant opportunities for our students.

Thank you to Lee Fleming and the Performing Arts team, to all our staff who encourage our students, to all our

families and supporters in the audience, and of course to our cast and crew for sharing their talent with us this evening.

Some of my fondest memories of CCGS will transport me back here to the PAC, when the lights dimmed, and our young performers stepped out on stage and filled us with pride, exhilaration and awe.

In the words of Freddie Mercury, ‘It’s a kind of magic.’

Mr Bill Low HEADMASTER

FROM THE DIRECTOR Welcome to our 2023 school musical production.

The joy of juke box musicals is so evident when in rehearsals for a show such as ‘We Will Rock You.’ As the sounds of smash hits like ‘Under Pressure’ and ‘Killer Queen’ reverberate around the Performing Arts Centre you sense the immediate energy it brings to those in the building.

It has been highly fulfilling to get this show on stage again after the disappointment of the COVID-cancelled shows in 2020. Many of the senior students in today’s show were younger members of the cast back when we first attempted this production. Since then, they have grown into senior leaders within our cast and you will see the sublime job they do in selling the fun, energy and vibrancy in our futuristic, sci-fi interpretation of this show.

As I am sure you can imagine, matching the vocal prowess of Freddie Mercury and Queen is no easy target for anyone – let alone for students aged 12-18yrs. Despite their young years, they have all dealt with the challenge excellently and I have no doubt you’ll be singing (and hopefully dancing) along in the aisles by the end of tonight’s show.

As always, thank you to the incredible team of staff that work to put this whole project together; set, costume, props, choreography and music have been hugely ambitious once again and the whole team has worked tirelessly to achieve the goal we set out…in 6 weeks less than our typical production schedule! Everyone has worked with evident passion and a level of personal sacrifice to ensure our students have the most incredible and memorable experience on our school stage. You are a very special team of professionals with whom it is an honour to produce theatre with.

Finally, thank you to retiring Headmaster, Mr Low for his years of support towards the Performing Arts. It was his vision almost a decade ago that saw the conception of the Performing Arts Centre and we have all seen the incredible achievements in this area of CCGS life each year since it was built. We truly hope tonight’s show is an enjoyable, lasting memory for you and we thank you for the legacy you have provided the CCGS community.

Thank you to everyone for their support and I hope you enjoy the show.

Mr Lee Fleming DIRECTOR OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

FROM THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR The music of Queen has mass appeal. From high energy rock to operatic strains, Freddie Mercury’s incredible voice, Brian May’s blistering guitar, the pounding drums of Roger Taylor and solid bass of John Deacon (not to mention all their amazing backing vocals) – they certainly are the epitome of a super group.

Whether in their classic studio recordings or stadium concerts, the hit list of songs has become a staple diet for fans across generations and the world, headbanging in the car or singing in the shower to streamed playlists or cassette tape copies of Queen’s Greatest Hits.

Translating to the musical theatre stage seems like a natural progression. Hilariously contrived into a storyline

by Ben Elton’s script, the songs bring out a youthful urge to rock out in all of us and create a fitting tribute to Freddie, the consummate performer and front man.

Our cast have taken on a great challenge to perform this show, singing, dancing and acting. Freddie’s and the band’s vocals are no mean feat for anyone to attempt, however, we are fortunate to have an exceptional team of lead performers and outstanding ensembles who have all worked long and hard to learn and deliver the songs and their complex harmonies – all whilst moving and shaking in character!

Students in the band have also done an extraordinary job of learning all the music and certainly will rock you! Special thanks to Mr Andrew Swan and past students Abigail Gracia and Jack Li for all their help in rehearsals and performance.

Congratulations to the entire team - students and staff, cast and crew, and everyone who has contributed to making the show happen. It is both a privilege and a pleasure to be part of such a dedicated group, to work with such talented and enthusiastic students – you are the champions.

Mr Chris Hunt DIRECTOR OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

FROM THE CHOREOGRAPHER Choreographing ‘We Will Rock You’ has been an ambition of mine ever since I first saw the show performed in London in 2006.

The cancellation of the 2020 production left me believing I wouldn’t get the chance to fulfil my dream of working with the music of Queen and Freddie Mercury, so it has been an absolute pleasure unpacking the conceptual demands of We Will Rock You. Exposing the cast and crew to such an eccentric score, and watching the energy and enthusiasm exhibited by the students as they tackle some big songs and quirky themes, has made the production fun and exhilarating.

Completing the show to such a high standard on such a tight schedule is testament to the skill of the students

and the expertise of my fellow staff.

Our choreography is intricate and energetic, reflecting the rock elements of the score. Moments of robotic and orderly movement on stage shift to a wild and fun chorographical style that I hope has you out of your seats and joining in. Many thanks to all students and staff involved in this show which will certainly be one wild ride to remember.

Mrs Larissa Koch DANCE TEACHER

LEAD CAST

Galileo MATTHEW TRETHEWY

Buddy ELOISE HUNT

Scaramouche (Wed/Fri) MIA HANSEN

Scaramouche (Thurs/Sat) STELLA HANNAGAN

Brit FERGUS PATERSON

Killer Queen HAZEL HUNT

Oz CHARLOTTE PAGE

Khashoggi ELLIOT WYER

BOHEMIAN LEADS

Mick Jagger HARRY MANGOS

Jani Joplin LILY MOUJALLI

Tina TAYLAH DOYLE

AC/DC PHOENIX BEAZLEY

Bowie ISAAC EDDY

Boy George RONNIE RAWAL

TEEN QUEENS/KQ QUARTET/DOCTORS

ASHLEIGH SKIDMORE

AVA CHIPPECK

LILY MUNRO

GENE PARK

Madonna ISABELLA CARPENTER

ROCK-ESTRA Keyboard 1

MR ANDREW SWAN

Guitar 1

CHARLIE SCHOEMAN

Keyboard 2

JASMINE O’NEILL

Guitar 2

OISIN COMERTON

Keyboard 3

AMELIA KHRUSTALEVA

Percussion

MR JACK LI

Audio Cues

JANINE SOUTHWELL

Drums

RAFAEL BENITEZ

Bass Guitar

HARRISON BLAKE

ENSEMBLE YEAR 7

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

YEAR 10

YEAR 11 & 12

EMIKO AKRA (LV)

EMILY ALEXANDERCOOPER

DELYTH BALL

RUBY AMOROSO

NOYO AKRA

BLAKE BARRAN

JIM AMOROSO

EMMA BERINGER

SASKIA DIXON-VALK

ELLA ARPINO

MAX BARRETT

OMEO ARMYTAGE

PHOEBE COGHLAN

AUDEN HODGSON (LV) MIA DEANE

RYIAH BERNIUS

HENRY BRETTELL (LV)

ELOISE GARSKE

LILY MUNRO

LINDSAY HALLAM

OLIVER COOPER

KEEVA BRODT-FISHER

NAOMI GIBBONS

HUGO OKAMOTO (LV)

EDEN HAMILTON

BETTY D’APICE

LILLI CRANE

OLYVIA HUANG

WILL PALASTY

SOFIA HARPER

ZAIN FAROOQ

AALIYA DIVINEY

JAMES IRVINE

AMELIA ROBERTSON

ISOBEL HINGERTY

KRISTEN GARSKE

SUMMER GLOVER

OLIVIA LI

CHARLOTTE ROBERTSON

ANNABELLE KING

JONATHAN GEDDES

MATILDA MUNRO

LUCA OLIVEIRAATKINSON

ABBIE SMITH

ALYSSIA LARK-AH TOW

NICHOLAS GEORGE

TAMIKA MUNRO

SCARLETT OWENS

OLIVIA SPENCER

LILI MCDONALD

ZOE HANSEN

SASHA ROBERTSON

SAKURA PETERS

DARCY STRODE (LV)

ELYSE MOSTOWYJ

NEVE HODGSON

KATE SANDERS

TALLULAH ROUSSOS

EMILY SWADEL

ARIANNA MULLIGAN

LILY IANSSEN (LV)

ISABEL SHORTER

AKIHO SUZUKI

LILY TISDELL

COLE OLSEN

JASMINE LEWIS

HOLLY WINN

ISSY TILY

JESSICA RATTRAY

ARABELLA WARREN

MIRIAM READ-JACOBSON

CAMILA MCGOWAN LARA MCLOUGHLIN

MACY RUDD

LIYA MOORE KIYA MUNRO SOFIA OKAMOTO HOPE OWEN (LV) TOM RICE (LV) LOUIS ROSE ANNABELLE WILTON ELIZA YOUNG

(LV) - Lead Vocal

STUDENT CREW STAGE MANAGERS MAYA CLARKE

ELLIE ANGUS

VISUAL CONTENT DIRECTOR

NICHOLAS MORONEY

ASSISTANTS

BEN WILSON

BACKSTAGE CREW LUCAS CHASE

SOPHIA RIVARD

LEA EKSTEEN

KYE RIVERS

SCARLETT HEAZLEWOOD

OLLIE TAYLOR

LUKE MCGILVRAY

DANIEL VICKERS

LOGAN MCLOUGHLIN

CREATIVE SET & PROPS TEAM

ETHAN SAFFY MADELINE STEPHENS

HAIR & MAKEUP TEAM SUZANNAH BRYDON

AMBER OLLERHEAD

ZOE FALETAS

ASTRID SMITH

ABBEY FORRESTER

JESS STONE

NAOMI GIBBONS

HAYLEY STRODE

ELLIE ANGUS

SCARLETT HEAZLEWOOD

GRACE GREEN

VIYENA TANNA

LUCAS CHASE

WILL LEGGETT

KINDRA HALLAM

SUMMAH TILY

MAYA CLARKE

LUKE MCGILVRAY

JENNA HATTINGH

PASCALE TOD

SCOTT DANIELS

LOGAN MCLOUGHLIN

TEREZA KARAM

JACK DE LEON

SOPHIA RIVARD

TARNI DILGER

KYE RIVERS

CARTIA ECCLESTON

KIYA SMITH

LEA EKSTEEN

OLLIE TAYLOR

STEFFIE FORRESTER

DANIEL VICKERS

JACKSON FREERS

ELEANOR WADE

SKYE GERRISH

ERICA HARRIS

STAFF HEADMASTER

Mr William Low

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

Mr Lee Fleming

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Mrs Lindsey McMaster

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Mr Christopher Hunt

REHEARSAL PIANIST

Mr Andrew Swan

CHOREOGRAPHER

Mrs Larissa Koch

DIRECTORS OF WARDROBE

Mrs Michelle Birt, Mrs Nereida Ryan, Mrs Tamara Redrup

DIRECTOR OF HAIR AND MAKE-UP

Mrs Michelle Birt, Mrs Kristy Watson

DIRECTOR OF PROPS

Mrs Leah Rose

DIRECTOR OF SET CONSTRUCTION

Miss Kate Sonter, Mr Liam Austen, Mr Kyle Harvey

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ADMINISTRATION

Dr Alison Irvine

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Mr Rob Ness of the Cue Company

TECHNICIANS

Mr Rob Ness and Mr Iain Drummond of the Cue Company

SOUND TECHNICIAN

Mr Ben Collier

MICROPHONE TECHNICIAN

Mr Alexander Chapman of the Cue Company

STAGE MANAGER

Mrs Lindsey McMaster

PROMOTION, PROGRAM AND TICKETING

Mrs Christine Hodgkinson, Miss Jade Kusic, Ms Melissa Mathieson, Ms Carla Silvestri

INTERVAL AND CANTEEN

Mrs Samantha Hunt, Ms Anna Beijeman, Ms Bronwyn File

IS THIS THE REAL LIFE? IS THIS JUST FANTASY?