Drama and Theatre
Sport For Jove Interschools Shakespeare Carnival Regional Finals
On Tuesday night four Year 11 students – Bettina Butcher, Remie Gibbs, Freya Kittle & Millie Winton – journeyed to the Lindfield Learning Village to compete in the Sport For Jove Interschools Shakespeare Carnival Regional Finals. The team represented the school with great maturity and put on a fantastic performance for the crowd, consisting of diverse contingents from Abbotsleigh, St Vincent’s College, Trinity Grammar, Lindfield Learning Village & Pymble Ladies College.
The team begun this process mid-way through Term 1, generously volunteering to be a part of the new Performing Arts Club. After looking at the requirements and categories for the competition, they took up the challenge and elected to create a work for the Physical Theatre category. This is one of the most difficult categories for submission (among others such as duologue, ensemble scene etc.) as instead of just learning and delivering a pre-written scene, the team had to synthesise their understanding of a Shakespearean text into a completely original, group devised physical theatre work. Doubling down on the challenge, they decided early on that they’d rather grapple with a text that was not taught in the curriculum, and hence narrowed their focus onto Julius Caesar as their source of inspiration.
Despite the immense challenges laid before them, the group worked diligently with the support of Mr Gidney in Lunchtimes and after school (and even coming in for a workshop in the holidays) to devise their piece. The process started in abstraction, allowing ideas and moments to flow free-form without prejudice or criticality, before quickly refining this wide repertoire of content into a cogent piece in a matter of a few short weeks. This organic devising methodology was new and intriguing to all the students and will pay significant dividends when they approach their Group Performances in HSC Drama and IB Theatre next year.
On the night, the team were ‘first cabs off the rank’ so to speak, and delivered their performance with poise and commitment, despite the nerves that come along with setting the standard for a performance competition. They blew the crowd away, with the judges and host describing the performance as “Delicate” and “Incredibly sophisticated”. Despite some tough opposition in the category from a numerous and energetic group from St Vincents College, Redlands emerged victorious – being selected to perform in the State Finals at the Seymour Centre on the 2nd of June.
This is an incredible feat by the team, and they are excited to represent Redlands in this fierce competition against a wide range of schools that have progressed from several Regional Finals from across the state. We extend a huge congratulations to the team for their efforts and deserved success thus far, and wish them all the best for the finals. Tickets are available via the Seymour Centre website if you would like to come and support the team in the final.
Lincoln Gidney
Drama and Theatre Teacher
What’s on: Drama & Theatre
There has been some amazing performance this year and we are not even halfway through the year. I wanted to add my congratulations to the Physical Theatre, Shakespeare Carnival entrants who represented Redlands this week (as above), and wish them and their teacher, the dedicated and knowledgeable, Mr Gidney, all the best as they head into the State finals in a couple of weeks, exciting times. This week is also an exciting space with both Year 11 and 12 IB students performing their Collaborative Projects for an audience on Friday night.
We are well into the rehearsals for Away, and look forward to opening ticket sales shortly.
Here is a sneak peak at some of the dates and performances we have planned for this term, it is a very busy and “productive” (excuse the pun) place.
- 24th IB 11&12 Collaborative projects performance exam 6.30pm
- 27th Kathakali performance workshop 7.15 am- 11.05 Year 11 IB
- 1st & 2nd June Shakespeare Carnival State final – representing Redlands,
- 5th June 11 Drama – both classes – HSC Ruby Moon – performance 6.30pm
- 7th June, Year 9 Drama incursion, Commedia Dell’arte Performance to view and workshop to participate in
- 14th June HSC Drama Individual Performances, 6.30 pm
- 19th June Year 8 Drama & Juliet excursion
As always, any queries please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Kathryn Smith
Acting Subject Coordinator of Drama and Theatre
ksmith@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Drama and Theatre Extra Subjects Programme
Class spotlight on Year 4 Acting
Year 4 Acting have been working on a multitude of skills to enhance their abilities in both performance as well as creative storytelling. This week, the students worked in small groups to devise short scenes, focusing on establishing and maintaining a clear narrative as well as developing distinct characters through movement and voice. Keep up the great work Year 4!
If you are interested in this creative opportunity and would like to enrol in Junior Acting there are some spots still available on a Monday afternoon, please email: drama@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Junior Acting is on Monday after school 3:20pm-5pm and Year 3 and 4 Musical Theatre is on Thursday afternoons from 3:20- 5pm. There are some spots available in both.
Housekeeping: We kindly ask that all parents and guardians be on time to the extra subject pick up locations after the classes finish.
You will find the various finishing times and locations for Junior school pick up on the Redlands Drama and Theatre pulse page. If you are running late your children(s) will be taken to OOSH and you will be charged accordingly.
Please note: The Preparatory reception will close at 4pm sharp. Please enter via the Junior school gate and make your way down to the regular pick-up spot for the Preparatory students if you are collecting them from Drama or Musical Theatre classes from 4pm onwards.
If you have any questions or would like to enrol please email:
Drama@redlands.nsw.edu.au OR avirtue@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Thank you for your ongoing support of our fantastic extra subjects programme.
Amber Virtue
Head of Extra Curricular Drama
avirtue@redlands.nsw.edu.au