Schools on Stage

All’s Well That End’s Well

Joanna Erskine, the Head of Education at Bell Shakespeare, explains how the company transformed during 2020 and what they have in store this year.

School Performing Arts Kit 2021

Stage Whispers presents its 2021 School Performing Arts Resource Kit - SPARK - a free on-line magazine with a guide to putting on a show and attending school oriented productions.

SPARK now also features new Digital Learning opportunities in the Performing Arts.

Click on the cover to read this free online magazine.

SPARK Includes articles on

• Theatre productions for schools

• Sound, lighting and special effects

* Costuming

Fiddler on the Roof

By Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. Perth College. Directed by Tyler Jones. Judith Cottier Theatre, Perth College, Mt Lawley WA. Mar 18-20, 2021

Perth College’s production of Fiddler on the Roof is a visual and audio feast, a vibrant production that would please any audience and a wonderful celebration of community and life.

Directed with warmth and precision by guest director Tyler Jones, it has a wonderful sense of teamwork and group ownership.

Wicked

By Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire. Directed by Kylee Retallack. Mandurah Baptist College. Feb 21-27, 2021

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

By Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. Newman College. Directed by Dixie Johnstone. Marist Auditorium, Newman College, Churchlands WA. Dec 2-6, 2020

Newman College’s production of Matilda carried the motto “Shine Through Discovery” and was guided by Matthew 5:16 “Let Your Light Shine”. In addition, the programme tells us that the students are encouraged to Challenge-Collaborate-Create and Celebrate - perfect guiding principles, not only for the uplifting themes of Matilda, but in particular, for this joyous, beautiful production.

Getting to Know Footloose The Musical

Adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Music by Tom Snow. Cecil Andrews College. Directed by Sarah Humphreys. Cecil Andrews College Performing Arts Theatre, Armadale, WA. Nov 27-29, 2020

Blood Brothers

By Willy Russell. Willeton Senior High School (WA). Directed by Stefan Brand. 30 October 2020

Trackers

By D. Hughes. St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. Directed by Sharon Kiely. Joy Shepherd Performing Arts Centre, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, Mosman Park, WA. Oct 17, 2020

Trackers is St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls’ first ever Year 7 and 8 production, and played for just two performances, to nicely distanced audiences. The World Premiere of this play, the students were able to work with playwright Donna Hughes and contribute to the development of the script.

School Musical in Pandemic

In June 2020, one of the only places in Australia where theatre was able to take place was in the Northern Territory. Students at Taminmin College in Humpty Doo (40 kilometres from Darwin) were lucky enough to get their musical to the stage.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, Book by Doug Wright. Directed by Madelaine Jones, Musical direction by Tammy Van Der Nest. Lake Joondalup Baptist College, Performing Arts Centre, WA. Sep 1-5, 2020.

Lake Joondalup Baptist College presents this Covid delayed production to enthusiastic, responsibly distanced audiences. A huge production, with an impressive social conscience, it is a delight to watch.