Schools on Stage

The Addams Family

By Marshall Bickman, Rick Elice, and Andrew Lippa. John Curtin College of the Arts. Directed by Lisa McCormack and Michelle Ezzy. John Curtin College of the Arts Theatre, Fremantle WA. May 22-25, 2019

The Addams Family

By Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Rosny College. Darren Sangwell (Director), Andrew Castles (Musical Director), Kristy Baker (choreography), Nicole Ottrey (costumes), Suze Quinn (vocal director), Chris Oakley (designer) and Aron Webb (lighting). 16-25 May 2019

Hairspray

Music: Marc Shaiman. Lyrics: Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman. Book: Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan. Australian School of the Arts, Sheldon College, Brisbane. Redlands Performing Arts Centre. May, 2019.

It's an interesting conundrum - how do you stage a musical in which a key plot is about African-American civil rights, when your cast consists overwhelmingly of young Caucasian performers?

Sydney School Shakespeare

The Sport for Jove Theatre Company is having its largest ever school Shakespeare program in 2019.

The season is designed by theatre and education professionals, encompassing full-scale productions, symposiums for HSC students and The Shakespeare Carnival for both primary and secondary schools.

Australian Performing Arts Grammar School

APGS is an independent school unlike any other in Sydney. Students are offered direct contact with industry specialists in a timetable that fits the NSW curriculum, alongside a day and a half of Performing Arts subjects. 

Students are able to indulge their passions and enrich their learning in areas that inspire them. By scheduling these specialist Performing Arts courses during school hours, APGS students still have their afternoons and weekends free for their own training, extra-curricular activities and professional productions. 

Young Aussies on Broadway

Young Aussie musical theatre stars from all over the nation embarked on the performance tour of a lifetime in January, which took them to New York City, to the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, and ended in Hollywood.

The intrepid team of 41 “Aussie All-Stars” participated in theatrical performance workshops in New York, saw Broadway shows, represented Australia at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta and took part in the Disney Performing Arts program in California.

Legally Blonde

Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, Book by Heather Hach. Iona Presentation College. Directed by Joshua Brant. Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. March 22-24, 2019

Iona Presentation College presented a beautifully polished Legally Blonde, with outstanding production values, a talented and united cast and a fabulous feel-good vibe.

2019 School Performing Arts Resource Kit

Stage Whispers is launching its 2019 School Performing Arts Resource Kit - SPARK - a free on-line magazine with a guide to putting on a show and attending school oriented productions.

 

Click below to read the 70 page free online magazine.

 

 

 

SPARK Includes articles on

• Sound

• Lighting and special effects

* Costuming

Annie

Music by Charles Strouse. Lyrics by Martin Charnin. Book By Thomas Meehan. Cherrybrook Technology High School (NSW). 14, 15, 16 March, 2019

Annie is a favourite for school productions, not just for its story and casting possibilities. The music is fun; there’s pathos, humour, a little bit of history and, because of Annie herself, confidence and optimism.

Performing Arts High

You have probably seen Fame and watched Glee, but what is it really like attending a Performing Arts High School? Laura Banning and Lola Bond from the Australian Performing Arts Grammar School in inner city Sydney have the low down.

How do you balance school work and performing?

Laura: APGS always incorporates the performing arts into our academic learning. The structure of three days of academic work and two days of performing arts allows a balance, making sure everything is covered equally.