Performing Arts Captains’ Report

One of the most exciting and highly anticipated events in the Performing Arts calendar is the Secondary School musical production. Along with boys from Knox Grammar, Shore School, Barker College and Hills Grammar, the 2020 production of Fame! The Musical was a raging success. The audience was transported back in time to the 1980s, a nostalgic time for many, as the performers were decked out in double denim, big hair and neon.

The cast and crew played for a spectacular four nights, performing with passion and joy, selling out the house. The musical was such a unique and challenging experience for everyone involved. The eight weeks of hard work and newly formed friendships came together to ‘make magic’ and offer something new every night for each audience member. The student cast and crew were privileged to work with some spectacular people with much experience in the performing arts, who gave wonderful advice. The direction of Mr Kurt Schweinberger, the organisation and music co-ordination of Mrs Sabina Turner, the conducting of Mrs Patrice Goodman, the choreography of Mrs Sally Dashwood, and the backstage management by Tonya Grelis and Timothy Colvin, along with the assistance of parent volunteers, was so integral to the success of the show. The future of Pymble’s Performing Arts looks extremely promising and with new, young talent emerging through the year groups we can only look forward to what the future brings!

Piper Markson, Year 9

Chloé Clarke and Stephanie Volos, Year 12

Due to COVID-19 restrictions this year, co-curricular Eisteddfod Dance was unable to attend external competitions. Instead, the competitions were replaced by a virtual dance project choreographed by the Eisteddfod Dance teachers and Dance Captains and conceptualised and edited by our Performance Manager, Mitchell Dellevergin. The video consisted of meticulous editing, showcasing each individual dancer; strengthening the Pymble Dance community’s sense of belonging and allowing girls to transcend hardships of isolation to continue their passion for dance at home. This can be viewed as an IGTV video on Pymble’s Instagram.

Pymble’s Performing Arts Competition (PAC) is an iconic event. It is a week of performances, open for students from Years 7 to 12 to showcase their talents in a fun-loving, supportive environment. PAC has allowed many girls to hone their talents and have performance experience in a professional setting, with several microphones, amplifiers, a mixing desk and a variety of instruments set up with the help of Timothy Colvin and Nicholas Zannakis in the school’s amphitheatre and music gallery. Year 7 student Lauren Korenblyum said, “PAC was an amazing opportunity to be able to show my talents and perform to many keen watchers from Years 7 to 12. It was so fun to recite my poem, and to of course watch everyone else's performances. Pymble sure has a lot of talent, and it's great that PAC can spread our talents amongst our whole community.”

This year, PAC was severely disrupted by COVID-19, with the performers constantly having to adjust their performances in alignment with new restrictions. However, our amazing girls were extremely proactive and showed much maturity and organisation to combat this. Their efforts and dedication were worth it in the end as they got up on stage and performed poems, dances, songs and compositions with much success as their peers cheered them on. Chloé Clarke and Stephanie Volos, Captains of Performing Arts