THEATRE ARTS

Theatre Arts Excursions

On April 27, Year 11 and 12 Theatre Arts students viewed the MTC’s production of Melbourne playwright Dan Giovannoni’s Slap Bang Kiss. The show was based on real-life stories of youth activists from around the world. Three stories inform the development of the central characters of the play; Ahed Tamimi, a Palestinian of 16 year old girl living in the occupied West Bank who slaps a soldier; X Gonzalez a high school student in the US who instigates a youth protest movement for gun law reform after another school shooting; and local Melbourne boys Darby and Daniel who attempt to break the world record for the longest kiss whilst raising funds for a suicide hotline for LGBTIAQ+ teens. The production made use of eclectic theatre styles and its core message, especially to youth audiences, was to take action and “do something” when they are passionate about affecting positive social change.

Tsungirai Wachenuka, Conor Leach &

Sarah Fitzgerald, cast of Slap Bang Kiss

On May 5, Drama and Theatre Studies students attended a production of Jack and Millie at the Athenaeum Theatre. The show is largely autobiographical, based on the playwright’s true story of dealing with the mental challenges and sometimes funny moments of her cancer diagnosis. Millie, a fifty something professional at the peak of her career, deals with her shock diagnosis by creating an imaginary friend called Jack. Jack helps Millie make sense of a world that has been turned upside down. The play, whilst highly entertaining, also offered genuine insights into dealing with long term health issues, like breast cancer.

Alaine Beek, Ross Daniels & Phil Cameron-Smith 

of Essence Productions’ cast of Jack & Miliie

VCE Drama students engaged in post-show discussions about both productions and completed written assessment tasks; analysing and evaluating the actors’ use of performance skills, expressive skills, dramatic elements and production areas such as set, props and costume design.