Raising the Barre

The launch of the Toorak Academy of Performing Arts in 2019 was a welcomed addition to the School and our long relationship with the performing arts. For over 140 years, the arts have played a magical role in inspiring students to push their creative boundaries and express themselves.

An iconic 1960s photograph from the School’s archives depicts students standing at the barre in second position, beaming at their teacher. Fast forward to the late 1980s, the Marjorie Williams Centre was built, and our magnificent Dance Studio was opened, allowing students to explore and create in a dedicated dance space.

In the 1990s, dance continued to be enjoyed within the curriculum, and the iconic Dance Production was introduced. Beginners, intermediate and advanced dancers discovered the joys of dancing with their friends from all year levels and spent many weeks working with choreographers perfecting their routines. Each November, the Dance Production would be performed to packed out audiences, so much so that we would go on to stage the production at a larger venue, the George Jenkins Theatre. A highlight of the Dance Production was inviting Collegians to return and perform in the 10th-anniversary celebration, where they returned with the same passion for dance and eagerness to perform.

During the early 2000s, Toorak exploded onto the Rock Eisteddfod scene, where many of our students came together to create epic performances that were staged in Melbourne. Having conquered the challenges of Rock Eisteddfod, we took on another challenge - the Shakespeare Festival. We entered our dance interpretation of various scenes from the great Bard’s plays and were honoured to be crowned State winners for many consecutive years.

Over the past decade, Dance at Toorak College continues to evolve and grow. It is now integrated into our curriculum from Wardle House right through to VCE. Competition dance was also introduced to Toorak, and over recent years, has grown from strength to strength. Today, our competition dance team is made up of ninety girls from Year 5-12. Our girls have consistently made it through to the Australian Finals each year with students and choreographers enjoying great success, winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the Contemporary, Jazz, Classical and Theatrical sections.

After running for close to 30 years, the Dance Production morphed into a new event, the Dance Project, which is staged at the Frankston Arts Centre. The Dance Project is a wonderful suite of pieces that follows a theme and is performed by students from Prep right through to Year 12. Last year we explored ‘Seasons’ and this year we hope to explore the narrative of ‘Love’.

With the introduction of the Toorak Academy of Performing Arts, affectionately known as TAPA, after-school classes in dance, drama, and musical theatre are provided to eighty Toorak College students on a weekly basis. Our students develop skills, technique, confidence, and explore their love of performing while learning from trained industry professionals.

It is unfathomable just how many performances have occurred over our 146 year history. Dance has been an integral part of our history, and it will continue to be for many more years. I hope that the thousands of Toorak girls who have been part of our journey have wonderfully rich memories of their time at the barre, in the studio, or on the stage.

Ms Emma Jensen - Head of Performing Arts