Schools on Stage

School Performing Arts Resource Kit 2023

The 2023 Stage Whispers School Performing Arts Resource Kit - SPARK - is out now.

The 120 page free on-line magazine includes features on shows suitable for attendance by school students alongside a comprehensive state by state directory.

A major part of the publication comprises features to assist school teachers in choosing a play or musical to perform, features on costume, props and seating, recommendations for Sound, Lighting and Special FX, study resources and training.

Young Australians Have Musical Theatre Experience of a Lifetime

75 lucky young Australians aged between 12 and 18 were chosen to take part in the ‘Super Bowl’ of musical theatre, the Junior Theatre Festival thanks to thanks to Travel Gang and Music Theatre International (Australasia).

Creating the Magic - The 2022 Schools Spectacular

On the 25th and 26th November, four thousand and seven hundred (4,700!) talented arts students from over 200 state schools right across NSW hit the stage to create the magic of  that was the 2022 Schools Spectacular at QDOS Arena. It was an “Extraordinary Magic” that took the audience on a music, dance, acrobatics, puppetry and musical theatre journey that was, in the words of the incredible Mary Poppins Tribute, that concluded the first act, simply … Supercalifragilisticexpialidoious!

Catch Me If You Can

 

Book by Terrence McNally. Score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.  Rosny College, Tasmania. Clare Latham (Direction). Roz Wren (Set). Suze Quinn and Matthew Ives (Musical Direction). Hannah Marmion and Madison Heidenreich (Choreography). Gareth Keys (Lighting). Samantha James-Radford (Vocal Coaching). Nicole Ottrey (Costumes). The Dwight Brown Auditorium. 6-15 June, 2024 

Legally Blonde Jr

By Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach. Western Theatrics. Directed by Stephen Carr. Koorliny Arts Centre, Kwinana, WA. May 24-26, 2024

Western Theatrics is presenting Legally Blonde Jr for a short season at Koorliny Arts Centre. Presented in tandem with “little sister” production Finding Nemo Jr., this production features a predominantly older and more experienced cast, all of whom are still youth performers.

Finding Nemo Jr.

Book, Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson–Lopez and Robert Lopez.  Book adapted by Lindsay Anderson.  Music/orchestrations adapted and arranged by Myrna Conn. Producer and Director Madeleine Johns for Roar Academy at Theatre 102, Redcliffe. May 18 & 19, 2024

The Digital Stage

Unpublished

Tools that were once the preserve of professional theatres with substantial budgets are now available to educators and students alike

Brainstorming For a Better Future

Clinical psychologist Dr Ameika Johnson explains how live theatre can help young people tackle online exploitation and bullying.

The internet is a complex and rapidly changing space. Technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality and the metaverse have the potential for great benefit but also carry the risk of great harm, for children and young people.

Live theatre provides a platform to explore these opportunities and challenges and empower students to take positive action in the digital world.

Betty Blue Eyes

Perth College

Book by Ron Cowan and Daniel Lipman, Music by George Styles, Lyrics by Anthony Drewe. Directed by Tyler Jones. Judith Cottier Theatre, Perth College, My Lawley, WA. Mar 14-16, 2024

Perth College presented the WA Premiere of the very British musical, Betty Blue Eyes. Beautifully presented, with excellent production values, it was enthusiastically received by capacity audiences in this large auditorium.

Mamma Mia!

By Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Catherine Johnson. St Hilda 's Anglican School. Directed by Sharon Kiely. Joy Shepherd Performing Arts Centre, St Hilda 's Anglican School for Girls, Mosman Park, WA. June 16-17, 2023

St Hilda 's Mamma Mia! was a strong, colourful show, that delighted audiences through its short season. Well directed and performed with excellent production values, it was a worthy showcase of the talents of St Hilda 's students.