A Musical Treat

Sing, dance and act: A musical treat

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the delicious musical treat being dished up by The Rockhampton Grammar School in August. Everyone has a role to play and this group of students are preparing to morph from one character to the next with their “triple threat” talents.

Singing, dancing and acting – it’s all a part of a “triple threat” in a musical production. Lucy Perry-Barr, Tilly Hungerford, Emerald Maddy, Tyler Bell, Charli White and Kalani Williams are taking on the challenge across a variety of roles in this year’s Secondary School musical, hitting the Pilbeam Theatre stage from 19 – 21 August. “It doesn’t matter who you are in real life, for a few hours on stage you get to become different characters,’’ Lucy said. Charli agreed that musicals were a way to express yourself, no matter what role you get, while Emerald enjoys that each year every musical is different providing opportunities to explore different types of characters. Hectic backstage costume changes are another challenge for the “triple threat” group. “At the first dress rehearsal in the Pilbeam Theatre it’s hard to know where costume changes are and where you need to be side stage,’’ Emerald said.

Tyler said musicals were the first thing that really made her go “wow”. “Singing is definitely the hardest for me, but we have really good people that teach us how to read music, hit the notes properly and you learn to harmonise,’’ Tyler said. Tilly said it was a really exciting process seeing how people grow and development into their characters. Kalani admits it is hard at first juggling singing, dancing and acting, but you get used to it. “It’s also great hanging out with friends,’’ Kalani said.

“It doesn’t matter who you are in real life, for a few hours on stage you get to become different characters’’

Lucy Perry-Barr