Performances are Back!

This term, it has been wonderful to have our Performing Arts students, once again, performing to an audience. There have been several performances throughout the term by students of VCE Music Performance, Theatre Studies, Drama and Dance.

The Performing Arts department would like to thank all those who were in the audience at these events as it is such an important part of the learning process for our students.

Jemma Law – Class of 2018

Past pupil, Jemma Law, is currently working as stage manager for the Theatre Works professional production of ‘Owl and the Albatross’. It was wonderful seeing Jemma on opening night in this role. She also appeared on stage at certain points in the story as a puppeteer.

Jemma learnt stage management at Kilbreda during her involvement in many school productions. She then went on to mentor other students in her role as the first AFL Trainee in Performing Arts in 2019. She is very appreciative of the skills she learnt at Kilbreda that have enabled her to continue working in an area she loves.

Keryn Holden
Learning Leader: Performing Arts

VCE Music Performance

On Monday 30 May, the Unit 3 Music Performance students presented a recital of their exam programs to a small audience.

A variety of music styles such as rock, musical theatre, classical and world music were presented on guitar, piano and vocals. The class also presented an ensemble arrangement of ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ which further enhanced their skills at performing in multiple genres. Students greatly benefitted from the event, especially gaining experience in performing with backing tracks and live acoustic accompaniment.

Congratulations to all students involved and thank you to the staff members who attended and supported the performers.

Kara-Lee Rabbets
VCE Music Teacher

Theatre Studies

In Theatre Studies this term, our class planned, developed and presented a performance of Richard Sheridan’s play ‘The School for Scandal’ for our Unit 3, Staging Theatre outcome.

We worked in different production teams such as set design, lighting, costume, make-up and properties – along with the acting component. There were many challenges and disruptions over the semester due to cast members being absent with illness. However, we managed to work through these problems together.

The experience helped us to develop a stronger bond as a class while we shared our creative ideas, listened to each other and connected on a new level. We were really proud of overcoming the problems we faced along the way, and proud of our final performance (with the full cast) in front of a large audience in the Auditorium.

With the positive feedback and presentation, overall, it was a fulfilling experience.

Viviana Bartolome and Shannen Carty
Year 12

VCE Drama Ensemble

In VCE Drama, one of our Outcomes was to devise an eclectic or non-naturalistic performance from a particular theme. Our theme was ‘Pandemic’ and we collectively agreed to contrast the recent COVID-19 pandemic with the Bubonic Plague. We also decided to incorporate conventions from ‘Theatre of Cruelty’ and ‘Epic Theatre’, as both are non-naturalistic styles.

The creative process took up most of our time, as we had to document our research, brainstorming, scripting and rehearsing process. We were able to work collaboratively and include everyone’s ideas and visions and produce a product we were all proud of. I liked how everyone had to have five minutes of focus time as it allows everyone in the group feel included and accomplished. Having to act in a non-naturalistic way took us out of our comfort zone, giving us new confidence.

I speak on behalf of my whole group when I say that it was an amazing learning opportunity and a rewarding experience that I am so grateful to have been a part of.   

Catalina Leitch
Year 11

Year 9 Drama: ‘Nice Girl’

In Year 9 Drama this term, the class prepared and performed a scripted play called ‘Nice Girl’.

We put our hands up to do the production side of our drama performance which involved managing props, set, lighting and sound. We were quite excited to learn about the performance’s lighting and sound, and we were shown how to create various lighting stakes for each scene by Mr Matt Graham.

We created general lighting for most of the performance, as well as split lighting, in which half of the stage was lit and a character was spotlighted. It was a fantastic experience setting up for it and participating in the recess tech rehearsals, and we would both love to do something like this again in the future!

Chelsea Sheppard and Sienna Molloy
Year 9

Year 7 Drama: Greek Theatre

This term, the topic in Year 7 Drama has been Greek Theatre. Using our knowledge of utilising fabrics, levels and gestures, we were tasked with creating a Greek style performance based on a famous Greek tragedy. 

Our class was split into two groups, where we chose a Greek tragedy and began writing the script of what would hopefully be an amazing performance. As our plays progressed, we learnt more about the exaggerated emotion, masks and culture that plays a large part in the technique of Greek Theatre. 

With our larger groups, we had to adapt to working more as a team and making sure that everyone had a chance to put in their ideas. In the end, we believe that these performances were beyond successful. We now have an amazing understanding of Greek theatre, not just having learnt it, but having experienced it ourselves.  

Sophie Chapman and Matilda Exton
Year 7