Performing Arts

Blakeview Drama

2017 delivered a class of budding young performers, keen to develop their craft. With a focus on the 16th century dramatic art form ‘Commedia Dell Arte’, students engaged well, refining and extending their understanding and use of Italian roles and characters such as Arlecchino, Pedrolino, Isabella and Zanni, building relationships and situations to manipulate space and time, language, ideas and dramatic action. They experimented with mood and atmosphere, researched stage and costume design and gave three well received live performances to classes of Year 8 students: The False Turk, Pantalone Goes A Wooing, and Home From The Wars. Following this, students learnt the art of review writing and attended a rather sombre State Theatre performance of ‘Sista Girl’ at our local Shedley Theatre in Elizabeth. In Semester 2, students continued to study the art of comedy, exploring the broader styles of slapstick and satire to once again create short performance pieces for a live audience. The year ended with a practitioner study on the influence of Aboriginal culture on Australian theatre with a specific focus on the works of Aboriginal playwright Jack Davis. Students used this knowledge to devise a five minute creative presentation that demonstrated their understanding of the practitioner and their stylistic features.

South Performing Arts

Performing Arts at South has continued to flourish with students having many platforms to develop their skills and present their work. One of the most amazing parts of being an Arts educator is seeing the students take a very basic foundation, whether it be a script, a theme or idea and work it, shape it, mould it, sometimes throw it out and start again, to create a polished piece of Art. The process allows students to showcase (or develop) the ability to take risks, work to together as a team, overcome challenges and realise a potential they often never knew they possessed. 2017 has been characterised by all of the above but there has also been a real sense of community and heart shown, not only with the students undertaking the courses, but in the students/teachers and parents that have supported their hard work. The year started with the Year 9 Drama participating in what is now an annual excursion, The Fringe experience. Watching shows, exploring the city and immersing themselves in the cultural elements of the Fringe. We are so lucky to have a world class festival on our doorstep and exposing it to our young people, will hopefully allow them to have a lifelong appreciation with the arts opportunities in their state. This class then went on to work on the well-attended and entertaining How to survive a Zombie apocalypse under the direction of Mrs Marley Kelley. There were some exceptionally strong performances with many students showing great development in their confidence and stage skills. Semester 2 kicked off with students attending the ‘Cirkids Big Top’ experience and watching Slingsby’s immersive Emil and the Detectives in the old Dazzle land site. This group of Year 9’s were an exceptionally supportive group and took on the challenge for their group performance of not only tackling a drama but also devising their own piece. Oh the places you’ll go??? based on the Dr Seuss book of the same name, highlighted some of the struggles different young people face, whether it be internal or external influences and how to push through it all. The students did the book justice with their exceptional team work and dedication. The Year 10 Drama class were a group of exceptional young people, their team work and ability to follow direction and get stuff done made their piece The Formal, a success, in spite of my extended absence. It truly was student owned and the success of the piece is a credit to their hard work and dedication.

Ms Jayan Mace South Drama Teacher