Funniest High School Kids
Australia’s biggest schools comedy competition reached its climax on Sunday 19 June at the Enmore Theatre.
After 6 weeks of heats and semi-finals involving 120 schools from all over Greater Sydney, the cream of the young comedy crop final had the chance to face off for the cup in two divisions of the Theatresports Schools Challenge – now in its 12th year!
17 schools competed in the two finals with a packed Enmore Theatre crowd of more than 1200 fans roaring their approval for each.
Winners of the senior grand final were Wollongong High School of Performing Arts. The Wollongong quartet were 'in the zone' from the outset singing, dancing and acting their socks off (genuine 'triple threats'!). They started in front and stayed that way through four demanding rounds against eight other schools. Newington were only two points behind though, with St Aloysius and St Andrews Cathedral College tying for 3rd.
In the intermediate division, Cranbrook triumphed, with St Andrews just one point behind and The Scots College third.
This year also featured the presentation of the inaugural Elliott Miller Award for Most Valued Improviser for the standout individual improviser in each show who showed talent, support & generosity of play. Senior winner was Persia Littlewood from St Andrews Cathedral School; intermediate winner was Roy Valentine from Cranbrook. Elliott was in the St Aloysius intermediate TSC championship team in 2010 & made it to the senior grand finals in 2011 & 2012. He passed away earlier this year at the age of 21 after a battle with cancer.
Theatresports School Challenge director Jon Williams said: “Everyone knew Elliott for his amazing talent in Theatresports & improv, university revues & theatre, his work entertaining kids including those in hospital, and his coaching & support of new performers. He did so much in such a short time and is sorely missed.”
Theatresports® is the inspiration behind TV shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Thank God You’re Here! It’s been running in Sydney for over 30 years at the Belvoir St, the Factory and Enmore Theatres. The inspired comedy game show was the training ground for Australian comedians & personalities such as Andrew Denton, Shaun Micallef, Wil Anderson, Frank Woodley, Andrew O’Keefe, Jay Laga’aia, Julia Zemiro, and more.
The Theatresports Schools Challenge is all about having fun, building confidence, working as a team, thinking on your feet, solving problems and being spontaneous. Apart from being state-of-the-art drama skills study in schools, these schools shows feed directly into the adult and ‘pro’ leagues!
Images (from top): Wollongong High School of Performing Arts; Roy Valentine; Cranbrook. Photographer: Stephen Reinhardt.