Musical Production - The Addams Family Wrap Up

Week 5 of Term Three saw the culmination of months of hard work with the premiere of the school’s musical production of The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy. Beginning with a matinee performance for our Year 7 cohort, the Clocktower Centre was filled three more times in a series of performances which were wonderfully supported by our school community (with some families even coming to all three shows!). It was a tremendous privilege to witness a group of dedicated young people who, when given the trust and opportunity, rose to the occasion and displayed dedication and professionalism beyond their years.

Production season demands a special commitment as we are working in the theatre for over a week. In this time, it became clear how far student’s skills in the practical aspects of theatre such as acting, singing, dancing, playing an instrument or creating and manipulating the sets, lighting, costumes and makeup that create the illusory magic of the stage had developed. What was also striking was the growth in their resilience, teamwork and self-management. The way that students collaborated and helped one another with kindness and empathy through this time really highlighted what is one of the most wonderful parts of the program – the strong community which is formed. This reaches across year levels with students of all ages working together. It also endures from year to year, with many seniors having been involved in multiple productions throughout their time at school. Our departing Year 12s now pass the baton on to the next generations of Uni High musical students having so ably modelled the excellence that is possible to achieve through resolve and teamwork.

Everyone who was involved in this show deserves to feel a sense of pride in what we achieved together. On behalf of the entire production team – thank you and we hope to see you next year.

I would like to finish this article with words from the show's Stage Manager Miranda Zabel; a veteran of four musicals, who offered the following advice to budding musical students:

If you’re an actor: Make friends with costumes, they hold the power of how you look and feel on stage (similarly, don’t make them your enemy, this means handing in your measurements on time!).
Be organised, it sounds boring and has been said before, but you will get places if you are switched on and have a good understanding of the musical as a whole.
The Band needs to have a symbiotic relationship with other production groups, they have the best snacks during rehearsals but they are left to starve in the pit during production week, so if you promise to feed them then, you may get some yummy treats in return.
If you have multiple skills or interests, try out all the different areas of the musical, the most common regret I hear is that people don’t try being in the crew or band or cast (I mean, imagine if Charlotte hadn’t been in cast this year!).
Lastly, enjoy, come back next year and have a blast. Savour each moment you spend amongst these amazing people, because sadly, one day it will be your turn to bid your friends goodbye and turn magical moments into mere memories.

Lachlan Ridge

Production Manager