Drama and Theatre
Another On Stage Nomination for HSC Drama
We are proud to announce that Hannah Jones-Way has received an On Stage nomination for her HSC Costume Design for the The Visit – congratulations Hannah, this our eighth On Stage nomination for 2024.
2024 Drama Celebration Night
We hope you enjoy this small selection of photos from the fabulous Drama Celebration Night last Friday, some of our medal winners and an adieu from our 2024 Drama and Theatre Captains:
Welcome everyone to the Annual 2024 Drama Celebration Night. Tonight is a night for everything drama, where we get to admire and appreciate all the spectacular performances from the year. Tonight we see performers from Year 3 all the way to Year 12 in Drama and Theatre, Musical Theatre, Physical Theatre and everything outside and in between. (James)
On a bittersweet note, this is the last time James and I will ever be on stage for Redlands as we are officially former Redlands students. This year I have loved being a part of Drama at Redlands more than ever – because I think when you are the oldest in the school and on your way out, you get to see the abundance of joy and compassion from the younger years experiencing all of their ‘firsts’ while at the same time you savour each of your ‘lasts’: school musical, play, competition and even group assessments. I feel confident going into further drama studies knowing I’ve been shaped by such a supportive community that has taught me so much about the balance between confidence, humility and pride. (Olivia)
My role as Drama Captain has been so fulfilling, particularly in Theatresports. Attending the weekly practices at lunch on Tuesdays with Liv, we were so excited every time to see the funny and talented students perform improvisational pieces which often ended up resulting in everyone dead somehow. Particularly in one of the funniest events of my year, the Theatresports Competition, which in the end did bring me to tears when, despite there being too many musical items from other teams in the competition, the judges let us do one last Broadway musical improvisational performance about bread. (James)
Some advice I want to leave with as an official ex-Redlands student: 1. Don’t take things too seriously – if you don’t get a role you want, it’s valid to be frustrated but don’t take it as judgment – school productions don’t define your talents or worth. 2. Be brave and try new things. Learn to embrace being a theatre kid it’s so much more fun than being embarrassed by it and if your non-drama friends don’t get it – they just don’t get it. 3. Treat every performance as the opportunity it is, because we are so privileged to do all the things we do at such professional levels. 4. Be kind to yourself and do the things that make you happy. (Olivia)
If I had any last advice to give to the arts community at the school is to try. Try that new cocurricular activity, try talking to those people you usually don’t talk to, try every last thing you can because I will tell you that your time at school is finite and will end. So when you sit at the end of your exams and reflect on your time at school ask yourself, did you have any regrets about trying that new thing? And the answer will be ‘no’. Particularly in the Arts where we value explorations and community to create such a wide array of student participation, trying new things is the best thing you can do – and if you do end up regretting it, you can call me up and brag how I was wrong. (James)
I want to wholeheartedly thank the magnificent Ms Smith who in 2024, has not only taken over the position of Head of Drama with so much passion but has guided our IB Theatre class as the most committed and genuinely loving teacher I have ever had in my school career – from feedback returned for final reports at ridiculous hours (we are so grateful for your insomnia), to her acknowledgement of when things are really good, when things don’t work at all, and when she tells us “it’s got legs” – we are grateful for all your support.
Betti Butcher, I think you are insanely cool, I seriously look up to your creativity, confidence and commitment and know you’re going to be such an incredible Theatre Captain alongside the dream team of Angus, Millie and Louis. (Olivia)
I have had the pleasure of working with Angus for many years and seen him as someone who has been incredibly dedicated to all areas of the Arts. Seeing him going form my partner in numerous cocurricular Drama lessons as someone who kept to himself to go to the most vibrant gay and European I’ve ever seen by stealing the show of Legally Blonde.
We are also thrilled to see the new generation of actors coming through and are joyfully awaiting what they do next. The arts have evolved so much since I first joined, for instance, the staff of getting the wonderful Ms Smith and Mr Gidney on board to help with any Arts problems I have needed, whether that is for just a talk about the the plays we’ve seen or advice on my plethora of questions I had about my assignments. I think they single handedly saved my Theatre ATAR, so thank you guys. (James)
Thank you so much, and chookas to the new Captains, the Class of 2025 and all of you talented people in the performing space. So, now we would like to hand over to our 2025 Drama and Theatre Captains!!
James Stuart 2024 Drama Captain and Olivia Everingham 2024 Theatre Captain
Kathryn Smith
Acting Subject Coordinator of Drama and Theatre
ksmith@redlands.nsw.edu.au