Matilda College Musical

from Always Aloysius, Summer 2021

Alumni Profile - Debbie Lee

Matilda

COLLEGE MUSICAL

We began 2021 full of excitement, energy, and elation, with the announcement of Matilda JR as the College Musical.

After the tumultuous year that was 2020, we were looking forward to 2021 being a relatively smooth transition back to normality. How wrong we were! 2021 challenged us even more, faced with many obstacles, our first hiccup being lockdown number 1. We were optimistic however that this lockdown would be the first and last that we would go through, again how wrong we were.

Lockdown number 2 hit us hard. Production week had begun, lights, screens, sound were bumped in, costumes, hair, and makeup were looking amazing. We were a week out from opening night when the news suddenly hit. Lockdown number 2 was fast upon us, our dress rehearsal needing to be cut short as curfew was about to begin. With emotions running high and the uncertainty once again setting in, we all went home with the hope that this would just be another snap lockdown. This unfortunately was not to be the case.

Throughout this trying year, we have been taken on an emotional rollercoaster. Faced with many lockdowns and feelings of disappointment, as a team, we have overcome the challenges thrown at us, we have been able to conquer them and come out stronger than before. I can say with full certainty, Matilda JR has been one of my favourite musicals that I’ve had the pleasure to direct. Working with such amazing staff and students who have shown commitment, adaptability and resilience have made me a very proud member of the St Aloysius College community.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the wonderfully talented students involved in what they have achieved in this year’s performance of Matilda JR. I thank all of them for the creativity, enthusiasm, energy, resilience, and time they gave so selflessly. It has been gratifying watching them work so well together, all with the intent to ‘finally’ bring you a show that they are proud of. These students are a credit to St Aloysius College, their families, and themselves.