It has been a busy Term 2 for Performing Arts with an outstanding Senior Play, Letters to Lindy and, now preparation for the highly anticipated Year 7 and 8 Musical, Elf Jr.

Letters to Lindy

Congratulations to the cast, crew and production team of the remarkable Senior Play, Letters to Lindy by Alana Valentine. It was a beautifully presented piece of theatre that showcased skilled actors in challenging and entertaining roles. The impactful performances and haunting design features were a highlight, providing some clarity and encouraging further conversations about justice and the role of the press in Lindy Chamberlain’s trial. Even more impressive is that each performance was student run – led admirably by our VCE Theatre Studies class, of which they should be extremely proud. Thank you to all the staff and students who contributed to the production, a wonderfully committed and selfless group who shared their time, energy and talents to ensure every member of the team reached their full potential.

Elf Jr.

After the big reveal of our Elf Jr. as the highly anticipated Year 7 and 8 Musical, auditions are only a week away. It is a colourful and lively musical, with a story based on the Will Ferrell Christmas film. The production will be staged in mid-October this year and highlights the importance of feeling a sense of belonging, identity, and the magic and wonder of Christmas.

In preparation for these auditions, plenty of eager Year 7 and 8 students attended our ‘audition workshop’ held during one of the regular Drama Club meetings on a Wednesday lunchtime. VCE Theatre Studies students Charlotte Aston (Year 11) and Sophie Williams (Drama Captain, Year 12) gave mock-auditions to illustrate to the attentive audience how the audition process works and the etiquette required. The younger students were very appreciative of the advice-in-action, as it was both beneficial and entertaining.

The production team consisting of Mr Dylan Licastro, Mr James Brown and Mr Tim Collins are very excited to embark on the process, alongside students from our Production of Two Weeks with the Queen who will be providing direction and guidance during rehearsals: Scarlet Russell (Year 9), Lilla Barrington (Year 9) and Freya Cantwell (Year 10). We have set up an Elf Jr. MyPortal page that contains all the show and audition information, including backing tracks and script excerpts, to help everyone prepare in good time.

The audition process involves preparing a selection of dialogue and a few bars from a song in the show, and attending a group dance call. Thereafter, the production team invite a group of students for a call-back audition in order to help us decide upon our final cast list. Rehearsals begin next term and we are looking forward to getting started.

For students not so keen on performing on stage, there are plenty of other opportunities to be involved in the production. Students will have an opportunity to work makeup designs over the coming weeks, along with set painting and creation lunchtimes in Term 3, as well as sound and lighting operation and stage management skills to learn and develop during Term 4.

Creative Arts Auxiliary

We wish to congratulate and thank Mrs Alison Dennison for her years of dedicated, positive and reliable service as President of the Creative Arts Auxiliary, and welcome Mrs Irene Karas into the role. This vibrant group of volunteers would love to hear from any parents, guardians or past students who might like to join the ranks of the Creative Arts Auxiliary.

Please feel free to contact me for further details at jbrown@stcatherines.net.au.

STCPerformingArts Instagram

Follow our Performing Arts Instagram account to ensure you stay up-to-date with all Performing Arts news and upcoming events including the reveal of our 2022 Senior School Musical and Elf Jr. cast announcements: @stcperformingarts.