HENRY
A PLAY BY CHRISTINE CROYDEN
THU 31 JUL 7PM | FRI 1 AUG 7PM | SAT 2 AUG 11AM & 5PM
PLC PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
DIRECTORS NOTE
This year’s production marks a new chapter in the life of PLC Theatre – quite literally. We are proud to present a newly commissioned work by playwright Christine Croyden, developed over nearly two years in collaboration with students, staff, and creatives. From early script workshops to rehearsals in recent months, this has been a living, breathing process – one shaped not only by Christine’s generous vision but also by the voices of our students, whose contributions can be seen and heard throughout tonight’s performance.
The play explores the life and legacy of Henry Handel Richardson, with a particular focus on her time at PLC and her fictional counterpart, the irrepressible Laura Tweedle Rambotham from The Getting of Wisdom. Laura’s misadventures, often self-inflicted, are a source of both humour and insight – and through them, the play reflects on the complexities of growing up, finding one’s place, and using one’s voice.
From the very first notes of the overture – composed by students – to the final song, also written by a student, this production showcases the creative spirit of our community. Many of the musical pieces you’ll hear were composed by students under the guidance of the extraordinary Johanna Selleck, with original choreography by students giving further life to these works. Our costume team includes talented student designers and makers, and the production itself is led backstage by our incredible Stage Manager, Alyssa Mark. In an effort to promote creativity and sustainability, the Costume Crew have taken delight in repurposing old school uniforms to create new pieces for the stage. We thank them for their considered efforts, ingenuity, and artistic vision.
This has been a truly collaborative undertaking, and I am deeply grateful to all who have shared in the journey. My sincere thanks to Ms Emily Bowman, whose partnership throughout this process – from script readings to production planning – has been invaluable. Mr Benjamin Daly, our technical wizard, continues to bring his expertise and inventiveness to every cue and concept. We also thank Mrs Hall (Backstage Manager), Ms Steenholdt (Make-Up Coordinator), Mrs Thomson (Hair Designer), and Mr Carroll, who joined us this year as Sound Engineer and quickly became an integral part of the team.
This production embodies the values we hold dear at PLC – integrity, empathy, courage, delight, and service. It has called on our students to be Scholars with curiosity and discipline, Thinkers with creative and critical insight, Citizens aware of those around them, Advocates with passion and voice, and Leaders who work collaboratively to realise a shared vision. Their dedication, humour, generosity, and imagination have shaped this work from the inside out.
We hope you enjoy this new story – one grounded in our past, alive in our present, and full of the promise of what’s still to come.
Miss Garrett
THE CAST
MAIN CHARACTERS
Tehmina Dubash
Henry
Tess Phillips-Williams Laura and Young Ettie
Shenny Thalagala
George
Michelle Li Mother
Angel Han Lil HENRY’S FAMILY
GETTING OF WISDOM TEACHERS
Sinasta Au
Sriya Chahal
Olivia Hayden
Sanayah Dubash
Gaga Wong
GETTING OF WISDOM STUDENTS
Chloe Cheah
Miss Day
Mrs Gurley
Miss Snodgrass
Miss Chapman
Miss Zelinski
Maria
Mia Essex-Roe Tilly
Asha Groves
Amy Huang
Maggie
Lilith
Aleesha Li Inez
Eva Russell Mary
Grace Wang
Zoe Wang
Kate
Lucy
Emily Xie Charlie
Katy Zhang Bertha
ADDITIONAL GETTING OF WISDOM CHARACTERS
Kahlia George Evelyn
Chamali Peiris Isabella
Victoria Giesecke Pin
Washma Hayat
Mrs Shepherd
Michael Woon Reverend Shepherd
FEATURED CHARACTERS
Ella Austin Dame Nellie Melba
Sriya Chahal
Sally Capp
Sanayah Dubash Leonie Kramer
Sayu Weerasinghe Olga
Robyn Dunn
Sissi Qin
Germaine Greer
Vida Goldstein
MODERN SCHOOL CHARACTERS
Kahlia George
Jenny Chen
Aashi Gupta
Olivia Hua
Lisa Huang
Shanaya Karunaratne
Arielle Kwok
Sheryl Law
Zoya Mahendru
Mrs Forbes
Chloe
Angela
Sarah
Trisha
Catherine
Eve
Olivia
Viv
Anya Nanayakkara Steph
Karina Noor-Samie
Sophie
Ananda Pandey Maddie
Avantika Ramroop Aisha
Sarina Samiee
Johana
Cindy Sun Emily
Anjali Verma
Grace Wang
Sara Yu
Hua
Charlie
Claire
DANCERS
Tirandi Abeyawardana
Leah Alberti
Emilia Black
Ainsley Cameron
Amber Chen
Nathaya Dodantenne
Alicia Lai
Aleesha Li
Crystal Ma
Zoya Mahendru
Sienna Mannakkara
Ananda Pandey
Riley Poh
Evelyn Qi
Nabiha Sarwar
Stephanie Shi
Melody Song
Alanna Thuraisingham
Emma Trautmann
Anjali Verma
Eshani Wewelwala
Dasandi Wickramasuriya
Brownie Zhang
Katy Zhang
Richelle Zhang
Emily Zhi
CREW
Stage Manager
Alyssa Mark
Assistant Stage Manager Hannah Cheng
Floor Manager
Evie Bernadie
Stage Crew Sarah Chen, Agnes Chung, Lucy Dodson, Avin Fattahiandehkordi, Emily Guo, Abigail Nah, Summer Wang
Lighting & Projection Operation
Follow Spots
Sophie Chan, Kayla Lee
Doudou Chen, Livy Cheung, Neriah Goei, Cindy Wang
Sound Monica Zhu
Videography
Costume Creations*
Hair and Makeup
Choreography
Daniel Dinh, Alyssa Mark, Melanie Wang
Sarah Chin, Mia Essex-Roe, Eliana Giancotti, Amy Huang, Leanne Huang, Arielle Kwok, Emily Lam,
Annie Qin, Shanti Sharma, Rhea Shih, Rida Syed, Adela Wang, Sophie Wang, Isabella Xie, Edria Yang
Eloise Chua
Ainsley Cameron, Zoya Mahendru, Stephanie Shi, Emily Zhi
*In an effort to promote creativity and sustainability the Costume Crew have taken delight in repurposing old school uniforms to create new pieces for the stage. We thank them for their considered efforts, ingenuity and artistic vision.
Nunu Ji
Amy Huang Reflection Song
Between the Wars Waltz
Amy Wang Garden Dance, Allegro
Yolanda Zhu
Overture, The Beach, Transition between 1945 and 1982, A Glimmer of Hope COMPOSERS
POSTER ARTWORK
Katina Kotsifakis
MUSICIANS
Ashlyn Cao Glockenspiel
Charlotte Chin Voice
Tessa Jones Piano
Jane Kim Violin, Viola
Katherine Lam Cello
Ashleigh Low Double Bass
Johanna Selleck, Composition Teacher Flute
Clairesse Tan Oboe
Amber Wu French Horn
Yoyo Wu Guitar
Mirribelle Yin Violin
FOYER CURATORS
Semaya Kaur
Katina Kostifakis
Claudia Lang
Sofia Liu
STAFF PRODUCTION TEAM
Sissi Qin
Director Cath Garrett
Production Manager Emily Bowman
Lighting Design Benjamin Daly
Sound Design Cath Garrett
Sound Technician Ben Carroll
Costume Design Emily Bowman, Cath Garrett
Set and Prop Design Cath Garrett
Hair Design and Student Team Leader Jen Thomson
Makeup Design and Student Team Leader Harriett Steenholdt
Floor Manager and Student Team Leader Susan Hall
Posters and Program Anastasia Anastassiou
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank and acknowledge our magnificent maintenance team for their wonderful set pieces and props, and their consistent willingness to create all manner of strange objects for our stage!
Thank you to the very helpful administrative staff across the school for their support in so many ways.
We are also very grateful to the PAC staff for their patience during production week and the weeks prior and post!
We appreciate our amazing and supportive teaching and general staff for their help in supervising cast and crew throughout the production week.
Finally a big thank you to the parents and guardians of the cast and crew for their support throughout the process.