The thrill of Kaleidoscope

CHRISTINE TAYLOR | Co-Director of Cocurriculuar Music and Producer of Kaleidoscope

In 2007, St Peters began a music/drama project which is designed exclusively for the Year 8 cohort of each year. Early productions were commissioned works from prominent Australian librettists and composers and linked the students to their Australian culture and heritage. In 2012, the change in title to Year 8 Arts Kaleidoscope reflected a change of approach to this event and to works which were directly relevant to the cast’s possible experiences in Junior High and used music chosen from a variety of sources to reflect upon these experiences. Over the years, Kaleidoscope, has become so successful that it is now one of the key events in the Year 8 calendar and has been described by students as a ‘rite of passage’ in Junior High.

We have been fortunate that despite the impact of Covid, Kaleidoscope has still been able to proceed over the last three years. Creative thinking around pandemic social distancing and performance restrictions created the concept of subdividing the large cast of students into three smaller sub-casts. On the evenings of 27 and 28 May, these sub-casts each performed one third of the show, whilst combining to open and close the show together.

In a change of scene from previous Kaleidoscope’s, Camp Fortitude told the story of a week away at a camp before school starts. The talented Arts Professionals team, enthusiastic St Peters staff, excited cast of nearly 100 students, plus 12 very organised backstage crew, worked together collaboratively to create outstanding performances. At Camp Fortitude, students completed a series of challenges and in doing so faced their fears, learn to work together as team, stand up to bullies, make new friends, and build resilience whilst having a great time together. From the upbeat opening song, Best Day of My Life, to the scary dream sequence, Thriller, to the poignant solo in Speechless, and the culminating message of Try Everything, they were great nights of music, dance, and drama.

The casts worked with diligence and great collaboration to achieve such a high standard across a short rehearsal season (made even shorter due to lockdowns before Easter). All students cast and the backstage crew—over 100 students in all—should be very proud of all that they have achieved during the rehearsal process, and of the performance of Camp Fortitude.

Images: Provided by photographer, Colin Bushell.