Cinderella Report!

A note from the directors..

We so excited that you are able to join us at the Ball for Horsham College’s 2023 production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 2013 new adaptation of Cinderella. This will be the College’s first production back in the theatre since 2019. After not being able to perform Matilda to an audience, students are excited to be back on stage with a new story to share!  Re-written with a few new plot twists for the Broadway stage in 2013, Horsham College is the very first school or amateur group in the WORLD to perform this new tale! 

This year's production journey started with a few hiccups; originally looking to present Newsies, the production team were set and ready to go. However, after being away from the theatre for three years and going through COVID, the production program was starting almost brand new and, with only 14 students auditioning, were unable to cast Newsies.  We needed to go back to the drawing board. With the support of school council, we secured the rights for Cinderella, held new auditions and set out to put on a fabulous show full of colour and sets to get lost in!  Initially there were only 4 ensemble members, with many of our students hitting theatre week for another stage show around the same time Cinderella rehearsals were taking off; long story short, we rallied in some extra troops and by the time rehearsals started and we got into the theatre, our incredible cast had only been rehearsing together for 9 weeks and WOW, what an incredible job they have done. 

The amount of community support and returning past students to see this show succeed is overwhelming. From designing and creating stunning sets and costumes to graphic design, cast supervision, sponsorship and everything in between! It wouldn’t be happening without them, it’s as simple as that! They say that an ensemble is only as strong as its weakest link, but with all of this year’s challenges we are still yet to find it. It shows just how much community spirit, kindness and generosity plays in education. The community WANTED to see our students succeed and succeed they have! For your support and encouragement we thank you, and again a million times over. 

We are lucky at Horsham College that production is directly linked to our school curriculum. Engaging students in Year 11 textiles collaborative design unit, contributing to designing and creating costumes and a cross section of years 7-10 mainstream and McKenzie Creek students in Art, applying countless hours, gaining real life application of their learnt skills and team work! I’m sure you can agree that they have done a brilliant job. 

A production at Horsham College is more than just putting on a show to entertain; it's a place for students to feel safe, try new skills and gain confidence. To watch the students across the year levels create such meaningful, caring, supportive relationships with one another makes us remember the importance of these extracurricular programs. You can see it in the school yard when students pass each other and give a wave or a passing high five that no one else gets. It’s their own language to say “I’ve got you”. These are the moments that I will cherish and never forget. 

To thank everyone in this note, I would take up the entire page just by listing names. All you need to do is look at the production credits page to see the amazing people who have contributed. However, to the few people that have been there from the beginning of this whirlwind journey, I can not thank you enough for the passion with which you all join me; Tina Fitzgerald, Lynne McKenzie and Clare Petering, your costumes are just incredible, creating an emotional connection in all our inner Princesses and Princes, Will Lynch, your sets are magic, the craftsmanship and love that has gone into them, not to mention the late nights, is spectacular and so very appreciated, Maddi Ostapiw, no need to ask you, it was just done. Our leads sound breathtaking! Tash Kuchel, Faye Johns and my beautiful assistant director Olivia Davis; my rock ladies, my rock, what else can I say?  And finally to my husband Jason and my three children Leyton, Elina and Liam, thank you for supporting my ‘crazy’ year in and year out. It’s a true gift to be able to teach your passion, but it sure wouldn’t happen without you, my inspiration. 

Thank you to all of you for coming to watch this beautiful story come to life with our incredible cast and crew of forty talented students. We hope you enjoy the show as we welcome you to the ball. 

Video - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kr9UAIcDv93MSiVxIfejACMqnHeoZgif/view?usp=sharing 

Program - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fwlxvg7HTVDYR955UrgDSjNloh4Urxhl/view?usp=sharing - programs still available for purchase at the Admin Office for $10 each.