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From the Stage to the Screen
There is no hiding the feeling of disappointment that was felt throughout the school community last year when our much loved musical production was not able to go on as planned or as hoped. Determined to ensure 2021 would bring our students the opportunity to perform and the certainty that their efforts would not result in a last minute cancellation, we watched and researched how performers around the world were finding ways to put on performances, despite the trying times.
After much discussion, and having sought answers to hundreds of questions, the Performing Arts and Music departments came up with a plan to create a filmed version of our musical, Annie.
Turning live theatre into a filmed event is a new and exciting experience for us at Toorak, and a challenge that our students and staff have embraced whole-heartedly. It has meant reworking how a musical is staged. It has meant learning the vocals in four weeks and then capturing them in a recording studio. It has meant directing multiple takes of the same scene for cameras to capture different angles and close ups. It has meant going into an editing suite for many hours. But it has also meant that the show will go on!
This year is a shining contrast to the disappointment of 2020 and the response from our community has been fantastic. Cast members are enjoying the experience of performing in a musical, being filmed by professionals and are eagerly anticipating seeing themselves on the big screen!
We are looking forward to hosting our red carpet premiere screening and having Annie preserved as part of our musical theatre history.
Ms Emma Jensen - Head of Performing Arts
