Schools on Stage

School Performing Arts Resource Kit 2022

Stage Whispers presents its 2022 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 on the cover to read this free online magazine.

Australian Musical Theatre Festival 2022 Schools Program

The 2022 Australian Musical Theatre Festival will take place in Launceston, Tasmania from 18-22 May. This is a major event for everyone interested in the performing arts and an opportunity for teachers and students to get involved in this welcoming, creative, ever-enthusiastic and family-friendly art form. 

Stewart Bell Takes a Final Bow at Haileybury

When Stewart Bell, Haileybury’s outgoing Director of Performing Arts, arrived at the school in 1981, he never imagined that — 40 years later — he’d still be there.

In December, Mr Bell will leave the school where he has built an impressive Performing Arts curriculum, helped some well-known students towards a career in the arts industry – and where he met his wife, Philippa.

Playing with Shakespeare a Win for Primary School Film Makers

“You think it’s not going to be interesting, but it’s cool” – that’s how award winning Year 4 student Daisy McLean describes Shakespeare.

Daisy, along with sister Georgia, twins Piper and Lilia Buhagiar (Cronulla South), and Toby and Isla McAlary (Robertson) won the Bell Shakespeare Shorts Festival competition in the Primary Film and Excellence in Performance Category, with their film, The Writers’ Room.

Disney Moana Jr.

Music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina. Book adapted by Susan Soon He Stanton. Music and Orchestrations adapted and arranged by Ian Weinberger. Gosnells Primary School. Directed by Grace Johnson. Nov 2-4, 2021

Gosnells Primary School’s biannual production features four classes of Yr 5 and 6 students, working beautifully as a team to present this Disney favourite. 

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

By C.S. Lewis. Willeton Senior High School. Directed by Stefan Brand. Willeton SHS, Willeton, WA. Aug 26-28, 2021

In a way, seeing a production at Willeton Senior High School is like entering a magical world. From the moment that you enter the school you are embraced by its inhabitants - a huge team of smiling and welcoming Front of House staff who make you feel welcome and valued. This continues throughout the evening, and is especially noticeable in this production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Disney’s Freaky Friday The Musical (One Act Version)

By Bridget Carpenter, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, from the novel by Mary Rodgers. Directed by Celeste Koukoulis. Cecil Andrews College, Seville Grove, WA. Aug 6-8, 2021

Cecil Andrews College’s whole school production of Freaky Friday is a vibrant and exciting production that deserves its warm reception.

Annie

By Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. Mercedes’ College. Directed by Kathleen Cocks. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Jul 30-Aug 1, 2021

Mercedes’ College’s Annie is a big, beautiful production, bursting with joy, energy and enthusiasm. Top notch production values, expert stagecraft, and excellent teamwork - this was an outstanding return to the Regal for Mercedes, who sadly lost their 2020 production due to shut-down and restrictions.

Legally Blonde

By Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach. Directed by Sharon Kiely. Joy Shepherd Performing Arts Centre, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, Mosman Park, WA, June 17-19, 2021

Disney The Little Mermaid Jr

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. Book by Doug Wright. St James’ Anglican School. Directed by David Johnson. Allan Shaw Centre, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School, Mindarie, WA. 8 May, 2021