THE stage is set for two big productions next month at Beaconhills College.
The college’s Pakenham campus is gearing up for the colourful musical Hairspray, set in 1960s Baltimore, USA, while Berwick campus students will perform the musical adaptation of the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast.
The enthusiastic new Performing Arts team at Berwick, led by dance aficionado Stephanie Borrie, is working feverishly on rehearsals with a cast of 120 Year 5-12 students.
The ensemble is split into two casts – ‘Knives’ and ‘Forks’.
With a huge musical score, Ms Borrie said the department was lucky to gain the services of new Prep teacher Ryan Jacobs, a highly sought-after musical director in his own right.
Drew Downing is the director.
The show will also provide some cross-departmental learning for students.
“Our junior school and Year 6 students will see one of our shows, as their curriculum is based around musical theatre,” Ms Borrie said. “And Year 9 and 10 French classes will enjoy seeing one of our leads, Chelsea R, doing some of the scenes in French (including ‘Be My Guest’).
“It’s a good example of our Learning that Matters in action.”
At the Pakenham campus, music/drama teacher Jesse Sheahan is directing the Hairspray production, comprising 60 Year 6-12 students in the cast, with others behind the scenes in lighting, sound and stage crew.
The popular production was a Broadway hit and features plenty of fun 1960s-style dance music and ‘downtown’ rhythm and blues.
“Rehearsals are busy – trying to put it all together before May, but things are coming together well and the students are really enjoying the music and dance in this show especially,” Mr Sheahan said.
Year 12s Olivia E, who is playing the lead role of the bubbly ‘Tracy Turnblad’, has been dancing and singing most of her life and has loved being part of college productions each year.
She said Hairspray was challenging as there were many lines to remember but the music was fantastic.
“It’s mainly pop and jazz, so it’s really fun to dance and sing to – I think the show will get a lot of interest,” Olivia said.
Performance dates:
Hairspray – Thursday 12 May at 7pm, Friday 13 May at 7pm, Saturday 14 May at 1pm and 6pm.
Beauty and the Beast – Thursday 19 May at 7pm, Friday 20 May at 7pm and Saturday 21 May at 1pm and 6pm.
Book tickets through the Beaconhills College Shop at http://shop.beaconhills.vic.edu.au/.
