HOUSE DRAMA 2025
SAME STARS
This year’s structure asked each House to create a performance that incorporated their selected star and its meaning in different constellations in either a literal or metaphorical sense. The connection between the constellations was to be represented through individuals having connected dreams. The performance had to then seek to solve the mystery of the connected dreams and what or who was causing them, whilst exploring the idea that diverse groups see different meanings in the same entity.
The House Captains selected a star that appears in many constellations from diverse cultures at random from the House Drama hat.
The House selections were:
Boyne - Mirphak - Mirphak is a bright yellow supergiant star that is located 510 light-years from Earth. Mirphak is incredibly bright in the night sky, approximately 62 times the radius of the Sun and over 7,000 times more luminous. It is often ascribed to animal shapes such as puma, deer, elk, and birds.
Clarke - Regulus - Regulus is a blue-white star and is the 21st brightest in the sky. Due to its regal name and brightness, the star has been associated with royalty and importance throughout history. It is also often connected to lions or in Arabic, Qalb al-Asad, meaning “the heart of the lion.
Hughston - Alphekka - Alphekka is a bright blue-white star that often features as part of constellations that represent a crown or broken circle. Alphecca is also considered a star of mystique and transformative power.
Maxwell - Spica - Spica is a binary star system located about 250 light-years from Earth, consisting of two massive, hot stars that orbit each other every four days. Spica is considered one of the most auspicious fixed stars, and it is often linked to success, fame, and recognition
Murdoch - Altair – Altair is approximately 16 light years from Earth and spins extremely quickly, completing one rotation in about 6 to 10 hours. Altair is often connected with animal constellations, particularly eagles and other birds. It is also used by many cultures as a navigation star.
Ower - Capella – Capella appears as a single, bright yellow star but is actually a quadruple star system with two yellow giant stars and a pair of red dwarfs. Capella is prominent in the northern hemisphere’s winter sky and if often associated with goats.
Welcome to Fintona’s House Drama performance for 2025, Same Stars. What a fantastic way to end the year for our students, collaborating to create something special to share with you.
House Drama is most definitely a celebration of Fintona’s students and the extraordinary things that they are capable of. Each year, the Houses are given a topic that challenges them to utilise contextual information, a stimulus selected at random and an overarching theme in their performance. Again, this year, all the Houses have risen to the challenge and created a unique and entertaining piece of Drama, which they are very excited to share with you.
Congratulations to our Year 11 students for creating the script, choreography and design and to all of our Years 5-10 performers and artists who have brought their vision alive. I hope you are proud of what you have achieved together.
An event of this size and complexity does not happen without the contribution of the whole school community. I would particularly, however, like to acknowledge John Batterham and Daniel Bowen (Clear Systems), whose support of House Drama for the fifth year in a row has helped it to reach such wonderful heights. A particular thanks must also go to our incredible Heads of House: Fairlie Marsland, Meredith Harris, Emily Erwin, Bryndyll Loughrey, Sheryl Manassa, Paul Kelly, Tiffany Zhou and Kate Brooke, who have supported and encouraged their Houses throughout the process and performances.
Well done to everyone involved, it is a pleasure to see your creativity and imagination on stage.
Bronwyn
Bye
Drama Learning Leader
THE LION IN THE STARS
The Lion in the Stars is set in the kingdom of Regalia, where the celestial lion god Regulus watches over the people. When the queen dies and Regulus’ star suddenly disappears, the kingdom of aristocrats, knights and peasants’ fractures into suspicion and panic. Hoping to guide the people to the truth, Regulus descends from the sky and enters their dreams with a vision of the queen’s death. But instead of uniting them, each group misreads the dream, twisting it to fit their biases and accusing each other. This sends the kingdom into chaos. Amid the turmoil, three unlikely individuals: Pete the peasant, Nina the knight and Anastasia the aristocrat notice the king’s suspicious behaviour. Recognising their ability to see past prejudice, Regulus brings them into a shared dream and urges them to uncover the truth of the queen’s death.
CAST
Anastasia Aahana Pandey
Nina Cynthia Dong
Pete Danika Mendis
King Rebecca Ang
Queen Zoe Sun
Guard 1 Chloe Shen
Guard 2 Yuxuan (Elly) Fu
Pope Olivia Salim
Featured dancers Zoe Sun, Amy Zhu, Bridget Lavery
Dancers
Neil the knight Inaayah Altaf
Annie the aristocrat Ira Dand
Naomi the knight Ariana Eda
Andrew the aristocrat Ritisha Rao
Penny the peasant Riley Yadav
Nico the knight Ruby Herbert
Adam the aristocrat Oneli Hewakoparage
Paul the peasant Lauren Huynh
Arnald the aristocrat Sophia Hartnett
Polly the peasant Zoha Mohamed Aflal
Alice the aristocrat Claire Wang
Pablo the peasant Wun Wun (Iris) Yang
Xiaoyu (Sophia) Chang, Megan Clarke, Elena Dimou, Allanah Fuss, Xinyan Gu, Jacqueline Ho, Sonali Koelmeyer, Liana Lam, Hana Le, Abigail Leung, Zoe Li, Phoebe Lin, Audrey Masters-Fleming, Maya Mohseni, Mia Kaili (Mia) Rui, Allison Shi, Chloe Snaden, Qingyi (Kiki) Song, Jiayi (Jelena) Xin, Hailey Yeung, Chloe Yung, Zi Xuan (Christina) Zhai, Phoebe Zhang
PRODUCTION
Scriptwriters Vidya Sivakumar, Lexi Stefanou, Bindi Wagalekumbure Gedara, Carolyn Ke, Alessia McCormack
Choreography
Sound design
Lighting design
Costume and props design
Stage Managers
Design team
Emilie Yu, Sara Vesely, Isabella Gale, Matilda Hodge
Emilie Yu, Isabella Gale
Emilie Yu, Vidya Sivakumar
Carolyn Ke, Miao (Nancy) Lan, Bindi Wagalekumbure Gedara
Emilie Yu, Vidya Sivakumar, Lexi Stefanou, Alessia McCormack, Sara Vesely, Isabella Gale, Matilda Hodge
Carolyn Ke, Miao (Nancy) Lan, Bindi Wagalekumbure Gedara, Yuhong (Hannah) Lan, Charlotte Seng, Minghan (Rena) Chai
THE LIGHT OF CAPELLA
Many centuries ago, a circle of powerful wizards prophesied a great battle that would one day threaten the world. To prevent it, they bestowed five chosen individuals with a rare gift, the power to glimpse the future through their dreams. Guided by the cryptic Keepers of the Auriga Observatory, the dreamers follow the light of the Capella star, a symbol of unity and destiny across cultures, all the way to Mexico. But when their visions begin to point toward one of their own as the source of this great peril, fear fractures the group. This begs the question: will the dreamers find a way to unite under the light of Capella? Or will they be doomed to be separated forever?
CAST
Morana Scarlett Ellis-Williams
Giada Aarushi Mihailescu
Kallia Baishakhi Choudhury
Caspian Chaitra Madhujith
Cyran Kathryn Karametos
General Marrock Ollie Neil
Keeper 1 Chelsea Dong
Keeper 2 Eden Tan
Keeper 3 Charlie Lau
Camilla Avery Shi
Maria Leonor Tinoco
Jose Chereen Zhang
Pedro Mishka Chadha
Mateo Tia Gupta
Dancers
Yuru Bai, Zoe Eleni Buccella, Jana Bouralexis, Khloe Chen, Naomi Chuang, Chelsea Dong, Kay Lee Foong, Rae Ann Foong, Shreya Garg, Devya Gupta, Surya Gupta, Kayleen Kang, Zi Shen (Joyce) Li, Zara Poon, Charlotte Salimi, Theia Sarawgi, Jasmine Sethi, Charlotte Singh, Chloe Singh, Ava Small, Sage Stone, Vivian Tran, Lydia Wang, Hannah Wei, Charlotte Wilsmore, Kwan Lok Wong, Melody Tran, Christina Richert
4. Fintona Girls’ School
PRODUCTION
Scriptwriters
Choreography
Sound design
Lighting design
Costume and props design
Stage Managers
Design team
Emily Salimi, Zixuan Li, Sophie Marianne Li, Barbara Tinoco, Georgina Lennen
Georgina Lennen, Mia-Grace Wain, Ivanka Zhao
Mia-Grace Wain, Abby Zhao, Georgina Lennen, Emily Salimi, Ivanka Zhao
Emily Salimi, Barbara Tinoco, Georgina Lennen
Barbara Tinoco, Yutong Liu
Georgina Lennen, Emily Salimi, Mia-Grace Wain, Ivanka Zhao
Barbara Tinoco, Nainika Choudhury, Alison Liang, Meeraya Tiwarilal, Melody Tran, Yulin Su
THE STAR OF THE CELESTIAL
PRINCESS
When Princess Astraea’s beloved star, Alphekka is shattered at the hands of her husband. The world is put at risk of being drained of the essence of life itself, its hopes and dreams. Separated by distance but united by desire, three unlikely heroes, Min, Tawaret, and Tyche wish upon a broken star and are bound to each fragment, forcing them to embark on a quest to save the constellation. These three individuals must face unique trials and put their personal convictions aside, to gather the fragment by any means necessary. When they wake up from their dream, will the star be fixed?
CAST
Princess Astraea
Tyche
Evelyn Jiang Stewie
Claudia Huang
Kalyani Shasitharan Stewie’s Mum Gargi Naik
Tawaret Onelli Wimalasuriya Hippo Erika Liao
Min Mia Nguyen
Debt Collector
Graveyard Goer 1
Charlotte Mcnally
Hayley Porter Graveyard Goer 2 Emma Yung
Dad Esha Lingaretnam
Girl Lily Downes
Mum Of Girl
Gambler 1
Dealer 1
Gambler 2
Dealer 2
Melody Chen
Elara Sienna Siswojo/ Camilla Be
Princess Dancer Nia Jayasinghe
Husband Dancer
Angeliex Xu Opponent
Aanya Gaur
Catherine Li
Maya Sivayoganathan
Chloe Mcnally
Yahara Wimalasuriya
Widow Children Anna Yung, Amanda Yung, Charlotte Mcnally, Angeline Zhou
Dancers
Fatima Anwar, Keira Chan, Andrea Chen, Charlotte Chung, Emily Feng, Amy Gillman, Lauren Ho, Yuehan (Sara) Huang, Zoe Huynh, Amelie Huynh, Olivia Li, Chaelyn Lim, Charlotte Mah, Haana Pedram, Liana Razzaghighadikolaei, Hana Sameer, Raina Stribbling, Isabelle Wang, Xinran Yu
Fintona Girls’ School
PRODUCTION
Scriptwriters
Sophie Zeng, Isabella Madden, Elisa Wang, Jayda Mukhlif, Marlow McCallum, Kye-May Cheong, Natalie Lin, Yichun (Helene) Zeng
Direction Sophie Zeng, Isabella Madden, Elisa Wang
Choreography Marlow McCallum, Isabella Madden, Jayda Mukhlif, Kye-May Cheong
Sound design Elisa Wang
Lighting design Marlow McCallum
Props design
Natalie Lin, Yichun (Helene) Zeng
Stage Managers Sophie Zeng, Isabella Madden, Jayda Mukhlif, Marlow McCallum, Kye-May Cheong, Natalie Lin, Helene Zeng
Design team Natalie Lin, Yichun (Helene) Zeng, Melody Deng, Yan Yan (Summer) Qin, Stephanie Gillman, Cheuk Tung (Chloe) Lam
STAR OF THE CIRCUS
Welcome to the Circus Spica, where the performers seek no less than the stars. They are the Bright Ones, the Innocents, and the Maidens, led by the High One – their Ringmaster. Every night, one of these acts – the pyros, acrobats, or mimes, are brought out to perform for the crowd. However, this circus holds a dark secret. Behind the curtains of their perfect acts, the Ringmaster controls all. When not entertaining the crowds, the performers lay in an enforced sleep, one induced by their own Ringmaster. He thrives off the control, off the applause that rings at the end of the night. When a pyro act goes wrong, everything comes crashing down. Performers are not sticking to their Ringmaster’s instructions. Five individuals start having dreams – dreams they cannot explain on their own. So, when they are the only ones who regain full consciousness, they begin to piece together what is going on and embark on a quest to finally discover why the Ringmaster holds onto that mysterious star so closely.
CAST
Ember Charlene Choy
Immy Ebony Southward
Oliver Yujie (Emily) Cai
Dolores Alyssa Xiao
Ophelia Georgia Nicola
Conscience Amaryah Rajasagaram
Ringmaster Jos Kerr-Smith
Old Man
Bridget Southward
Bodyguards Rosea Khorram, Erica Lau, Abigail Long
Circus Performers Eva Bai, Audrey Li, Mansikha Maharana, Lillian Xue
Featured Dancers
Pyros
Charlotte Kemp, Alisha Chen, Ellie Kim, (Zhiyi) Angela Fei, Mia Fang, Holly Pace, Ruicheng (Rachel) Wang
Yoyo Fan, Ira Kamath, Chenyu (April) Liu, Allegra Maharaj, Caitlin Membrey, Seohyeon (Alice) Moon, Anagi Nihalsingha, Maayra Oberoi
Acrobats Eva Bai, Bella Chen, Yixiao (Liliana) Cui, Tian Xin (Mumu) Kang, Dengguoer Liu, Holly Pace, Amelia Saricam, Xinle (Ella) Shen, Yu Rong (Angela) Shi, Aya Xue
Mimes
Bella Chen, Brooke Lac, Rui Qi (Rosina) Li, Audrey Li, Mansikha Maharana, Lillian Xue
PRODUCTION
Scriptwriters
Teresa Chen, Heidi Hsieh, Isha Kapur, Claire Lau, Mahlia Ratnam, Lucy Thomas, Minah Tjangdjaja
Direction Claire Lau, Mahlia Ratnam
Choreography
Teresa Chen, Isha Kapur, Lucy Thomas
Sound design Isha Kapur
Lighting design Claire Lau
Costume design
Multimedia design
Stage Managers
Design team
Teresa Chen, Heidi Hsieh, Claire Lau, Kexin (Cindy) Mei, Minah Tjangdjaja
Claire Lau
Teresa Chen, Isha Kapur, Mahlia Ratnam, Lucy Thomas
Heidi Hsieh, Minah Tjangdjaja, Maheen Akhtar, Janet Tran, Jennifer Bai, Yi-Xin (Naomi) Law, Lanxin (Lancy) Zhang
DREAMS OF THE LOST
Peace in the animal communities is shattered when three groups—lorikeets, armadillos, and eagles— awake from the same frightening dream of a dark, towering figure When morning arrives, each group is shocked to discover that one member of their group has vanished. Realising the dream was more than a simple nightmare, the animals set out to uncover where their missing friends might be and who had taken them. Bounded by fear, hope, and determination, they join forces. Their shared vision and shared mission unite them as they travel into unknown territory, hunting for the dark, towering figure who has drawn them together through his selfish actions. But who is this mysterious figure? And when the moment comes, will the animals be able to work together to bring their friends home?
Bobby Stew Tayla Chan
Layla Flora Stella Aguilar Oswin
Leslie Louisa Fung
Levi Emily Semczyszyn
Amy Yiyun (Evelyn) Zhang
Archie Amelie Ashley
Alice Yuko Walsh
Edgar Kanak Ghotra
Dancers
Elvis Eliza Creek
Erin Nicoletta Bakirtzis
Elder Ixlu Valentina Aguilar Oswin
Louis Madeleine Whitehead
Featured hunter dancer Emma Houget
Featured animal dancer Olivia Xu
Joelle Calder, Eloise Calder, Katelyn Chan, Ananya Chekka, Xinran (Heidi) Du, Lan Duong, Emily Enverga, Laura Feng, Yueshan Gao, Della Gassert, Katara Haran, Elsa Ji, Sharmeen Kaur, Celine Li, Zihan (Elisa) Li, Carol Lou, Katherine Manolidis, Chloe Qi, Jenny Qiu, Mila Tankir, Sera Tankir, Gisele To, Veronica Wang, Vienna Wong, Jiayi (Cindy) Xin, Olivia Xu, Stella Zhao, Ella Zheng
Ensemble
Yanruyu (Annie) Miao, Celine Li, Tesia Gu, Minxuan (Matilda) Lin, Rebecca Wang
PRODUCTION
Scriptwriters
Choreography
Sound design
Lighting design
Costume and Props design
Multimedia design
Stage Managers
Design team
Yongxi (Vicky) Huang, Sofia Marmaras-Turner, Elizabeth (Ibby) Wotherspoon, Ruby O’Brien
Hei Wun (Emily) Cheng, Yixin (Cynthia) Xiong, Tayla O’Neil, Ava Kirkwood
Sarah Wang
Yongxi (Vicky) Huang, Ruby O’Brien
Ruby O’Brien, Sum Yin (Ruby) Wong
Sarah Wang, Ruby O’Brien, Sum Yin (Ruby) Wong, Elizabeth (Ibby) Wotherspoon, Yongxi (Vicky) Huang
Sofia Marmaras-Turner, Elizabeth (Ibby) Wotherspoon, Sum Yin (Ruby) Wong, Tayla O’Neil
Ruby O’Brien, Sum Yin (Ruby) Wong, Jiaxi Zhu, Kewei (Eva) Yang, Tanishq Utsav Kapadia
UNDER THE MIRPHAK STAR
In a world where every culture is gifted with a unique elemental power, harmony once thrived; Egyptians command the wind, Italians shape the Earth, Chinese control the water and Norwegians wield fire. But centuries ago, a terrible war shattered this unity. Though the evil world leader was defeated, the cultures were left isolated, each losing all memory of the others. Now, generations later, Nadia, a young Egyptian, is about to take part in the traditional Demon Head Star Ceremony, a ritual dance performed whenever the demon head constellation crosses the sky. Legend says that if the dances are not done correctly, ancient spirits may awaken. On the night of the ceremony Nadia discovers her wind powers do not work. Her anxiety rises... what if her mistake brings disaster? Meanwhile, through Nadia’s unusual dreams she is connected to three other teens, Luna from China, Lucia from Italy and Casper from Norway. All from diverse cultures, they lack the powers of their tribes and are treated as outcasts. Once the Ancestor is raised thanks to Nadia’s failure during the ceremony, Nadia, guided by the Mirphak star and with her risen Ancestor’s encouragement, sets out on a quest to find the others from her dreams to restore light and to reunite all the cultures back together as it once was.
CAST
Ancestor Caterina Lear
Nadia Caitlin Huang
Casper Ruimi Zhang
Luna Evelyn Teng
Lucia Toqa Muhammed
Teacher Mallika Jaisinghani
Fredrick Anne Chen
Dancers
Nubia Ghaanavy Yathavan
Aya Vrushali Amrita (Amrita) Rajeev
Nina Nicole Zheng
Cherry Manasvi (Mani) Kommidi
Olaf
Sofia
Bonnie Xu
Athina Kanarev Eliza Bourke
Ara Amir, Leena Bhat, Eliza Bourke, Scarlet Campbell, Yong- Qian (Hailey) Chan, Ivana Cheung, Tze Ning (Katrina ) Chu, Angie Dong, Shalina Hananto, Vishaka Hewabajjamage, Wanqi (Amelia) Huang, Nayonika Jain, Claire Jia, Moxuan (Sandy) Li, En Xi (Hilary) Li, Anna Li, Prisha Mangukiya, Olivia Morgan, Olive Nantes, Navya Sethi, Vienna Sood, Wei (Sylvia) Sun, Nicole Sun, Aakriti Suresh, Qingyang (Kelly) Tang, Olivia Tatchell, Qinwen (Gabi) Yang, Qimeng Yang, Qixuan (Queeny) Yang, Xinlai (Grace) Yu, Catherine Zhang
PRODUCTION
Scriptwriters
Choreography
Sound and costume design
Shenara Vidanapathirana, Chloe Saleh, Aurelia Tropea, Aria Nantes
Chloe Saleh, Aurelia Tropea, Konstantina (Tina) Kapnias, Elise Pitts, Alaina Rumpf, Yee Kei (Katie) Yee, Clare Zou, Xingyu (Julie) Guo
Shenara Vidanapathirana, Chloe Saleh, Aurelia Tropea, Aria Nantes, Konstantina (Tina) Kapnias, Elise Pitts, Alaina Rumpf, Katie Yee, Clare Zou, Julie Guo
Lighting design
Props design
Sound operation
Stage Managers
Design team
Aurelia Tropea, Alaina Rumpf
Shenara Vidanapathirana, Katie Yee
Aria Nantes
Chloe Saleh, Aurelia Tropea, Konstantina (Tina) Kapnias, Elise Pitts, Yee Kei (Katie) Yee, Clare Zou, Xingyu (Julie) Guo
Shenara Vidanapathirana, Katie Yee, Clare Zou, Julie Guo