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
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.
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
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!
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
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
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
Scaramouche (Thurs/Sat)
STELLA HANNAGAN
Scaramouche (Wed/Fri)
MIA HANSEN
BOHEMIAN LEADS
TEEN QUEENS/KQ QUARTET/DOCTORS
Brit FERGUS PATERSON
Khashoggi ELLIOT WYER
Oz CHARLOTTE PAGE
Galileo MATTHEW TRETHEWY
Buddy ELOISE HUNT
Mick Jagger HARRY MANGOS
Jani Joplin LILY MOUJALLI Tina TAYLAH DOYLE AC/DC PHOENIX BEAZLEY
Bowie ISAAC EDDY
Boy George RONNIE RAWAL
Madonna ISABELLA CARPENTER
AVA CHIPPECK LILY MUNRO GENE PARK ASHLEIGH SKIDMORE
Killer Queen HAZEL HUNT
ROCK-ESTRA
Keyboard 1 MR ANDREW SWAN
Keyboard 2 JASMINE O’NEILL
Keyboard 3 AMELIA KHRUSTALEVA
Drums RAFAEL BENITEZ
Bass Guitar HARRISON BLAKE
Guitar 1 CHARLIE SCHOEMAN
Guitar 2 OISIN COMERTON
Percussion MR JACK LI
Audio Cues JANINE SOUTHWELL
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
CAMILA MCGOWAN ARABELLA WARREN MIRIAM READ-JACOBSON
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
BACKSTAGE CREW
LUCAS CHASE SOPHIA RIVARD
LEA EKSTEEN KYE RIVERS
SCARLETT HEAZLEWOOD OLLIE TAYLOR
LUKE MCGILVRAY DANIEL VICKERS
LOGAN MCLOUGHLIN
CREATIVE SET & PROPS TEAM
ELLIE ANGUS SCARLETT HEAZLEWOOD
LUCAS CHASE WILL LEGGETT
MAYA CLARKE LUKE MCGILVRAY
SCOTT DANIELS LOGAN MCLOUGHLIN
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
DIRECTOR
VISUAL CONTENT
NICHOLAS MORONEY
ASSISTANTS BEN WILSON
ETHAN SAFFY
MADELINE STEPHENS
HAIR & MAKEUP TEAM
SUZANNAH BRYDON AMBER OLLERHEAD
ZOE FALETAS ASTRID SMITH
ABBEY FORRESTER JESS STONE
NAOMI GIBBONS HAYLEY STRODE
GRACE GREEN VIYENA TANNA
KINDRA HALLAM SUMMAH TILY
JENNA HATTINGH PASCALE TOD
TEREZA KARAM
HEADMASTER
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
REHEARSAL PIANIST
CHOREOGRAPHER
DIRECTORS OF WARDROBE
DIRECTOR OF HAIR AND MAKE-UP
DIRECTOR OF PROPS
DIRECTOR OF SET CONSTRUCTION
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ADMINISTRATION
LIGHTING DESIGNER
TECHNICIANS
SOUND TECHNICIAN
MICROPHONE TECHNICIAN
STAGE MANAGER
PROMOTION, PROGRAM AND TICKETING
INTERVAL AND CANTEEN
STAFF
Mr William Low
Mr Lee Fleming
Mrs Lindsey McMaster
Mr Christopher Hunt
Mr Andrew Swan
Mrs Larissa Koch
Mrs Michelle Birt, Mrs Nereida Ryan, Mrs Tamara Redrup
Mrs Michelle Birt, Mrs Kristy Watson
Mrs Leah Rose
Miss Kate Sonter, Mr Liam Austen, Mr Kyle Harvey
Dr Alison Irvine
Mr Rob Ness of the Cue Company
Mr Rob Ness and Mr Iain Drummond of the Cue Company
Mr Ben Collier
Mr Alexander Chapman of the Cue Company
Mrs Lindsey McMaster
Mrs Christine Hodgkinson, Miss Jade Kusic, Ms Melissa Mathieson, Ms Carla Silvestri
Mrs Samantha Hunt, Ms Anna Beijeman, Ms Bronwyn File
IS THIS THE REAL LIFE? IS THIS JUST FANTASY?
