3 minute read
Head of Creative Arts
FROM THE HEAD
OF CREATIVE ARTS
THE CREATIVE ARTS CLASSROOMS AND REHEARSAL ROOMS HAVE BEEN BURSTING ALL YEAR WITH CREATIVE, ENERGETIC EXCITEMENT. WE WERE DELIGHTED TO SHARE WITH THE REDEEMER COMMUNITY MANY OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM BOTH CLASSROOM AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT IN THE SPOTLIGHT EVENTS IN MAY AND SEPTEMBER.
The evenings were attended by a packed and appreciative audience who were able to view the visual art exhibitions in the foyer and gallery before watching the jam-packed shows. Memorable moments from the events included the all-boys musical theatre troupe’s renditions of ‘Greased Lightning’ and ‘Officer Krupke’ from West Side Story. The all-girls troupe’s performances of ‘Naughty’ from the musical Matilda, and the title song from the musical The Addams Family were both show-stoppers! The College dance troupe’s jazz routine to ‘The Way I Am’ by Charlite Puth and the lyrical routine, ‘Saturn’ were highlights. Drama students reveled in the opportunity to share many of their assessment performance tasks as well as two short one act plays - Ivy Shambitt and the Sound Machine by Daniel Evans and excerpts from Alice in Wonderland, directed by Year 12 Drama students, Jordana Wenke and Abbey Endres, and featuring students from Years 7 and 8. The many performances were interspersed with short films by our budding Film, TV and New Media (FTVNM) students from Years 7-12.
Throughout Term 1, a cast of 30, predominantly drama students, collaborated to bring to life E.B. White’s classic children’s tale, Charlotte’s Web on the Kleinschmidt Centre stage. Supported by a handful of crew and staff, students rehearsed, experimented, danced and sang to utilise their varied talents and continue to build further performance skills. Transforming the Kleinschmidt Auditorium into a working theatre with full-scale set pieces was certainly a challenge, but all who came enjoyed seeing the venue come to life with so many loveable characters, including crowd favourites, Wilbur (Jordana Wenke), Charlotte (Abbey Endres) and Templeton (Josie Bartlett). The Senior Students were ably supported by a standout cast, including students from Years 7-11. The students overcame many challenges along the way, in particular the necessity for understudies in the era of a pandemic! Thankfully, when show week rolled around, the cast were finally together to perform. The production was a huge success, and the younger students and families of the College also had the chance to meet the actors and have their programs signed by our budding actors. A highly memorable event for cast, crew and audience alike.
Students across Drama, Visual Art and FTVNM have had exceptional opportunities throughout the year to develop many skills and be emersed in some exciting excursions and workshops. After a false start to the year, the Senior Visual Art students finally made it to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), after flooding closed down the arts precinct in South Brisbane. Students were able to view the Asia Pacific Triennial No. 10 exhibition and, later in the year, Japanese artist, Chiharu Shiota’s exhibition titled: The Soul Trembles. Workshops in sculpture and mixed media were highlights for the Years 8, 9 and 10 Visual Art students.
The Years 8 and 9 Drama students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to view Dead Puppet Society’s production of ‘The Wider Earth’ as part of their Children’s Theatre Unit, and Year 7 Drama students were engaged and entertained by Shock Therapy’s production of ‘The Stones’. This production examined the impact of impulsive behaviours of young people and the consequences. The re-imagining of classic stories, ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Achilles’ were exceptionally well presented at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and enjoyed by Years 10, 11 and 12 Drama students. Guest artist, Leon Cain, also ran workshops in physical comedy for the Senior students.
Media and FTVNM students thoroughly enjoyed their first behind the scenes visit to Movie World, where they were able to gain insights in the film and television that is produced through the studios.
