Performing Arts

Puppet time!

Performing Arts students in Grades 3–6 have started a hands-on puppetry unit this term, exploring character, movement and storytelling.

In Grades 3–4, students have been busy designing and constructing their own sock puppets. They have drawn inspiration from master puppeteer Jim Henson, learning how everyday materials can be transformed into expressive characters. Starting with building simple mouths and features using socks, cardboard, fabric and other craft materials, students are learning how to bring an imagined character to life. They have been watching instructional videos to guide their build and in the coming weeks will begin experimenting with using voice, breath and focus to make their puppets expressive and engaging. Students have explored emotions such as shy, dramatic, cheeky and grumpy, and are discovering how puppets can “come alive” through thoughtful movement and personality.

Meanwhile in Grades 5–6, students are working in small groups to create life-size paper puppets — large, collaborative creations that require planning, teamwork and creative problem-solving. Inspired by puppetry techniques showcased by UK National Theatre, students are thinking about proportion, structure and how to make these oversized puppets move in expressive ways.

Once built, these life-size puppets will move beyond static art objects — students will design ways to animate them with careful attention to movement, focus and voice. They are learning how to choreograph movement as a group so that the puppets appear to have weight, personality and presence. 

Both age groups are using their puppets as tools for storytelling — experimenting with narrative, emotion and character development. Students will start creating short performances in the coming weeks. 

Aladdin Jr - 11 weeks away!

Thank you "Scissor sisters" who are currently cutting out material for 50 harem pants.

WISH LIST: 

Items - donations are welcome!

• Unwanted Pillows (to put in our Hession bags)
• Fake Fruit (Or real fruit if required)
• Fake Snake for Snake Charmer and basket
• Baskets for the markets
• Sewers to sew Harem pants and other costumes
• Tea trolley
• Marketplace items - jewellery, middle eastern themed clothes and items for shopkeepers

Please drop items at the office. Please clearly name your items if you want them returned.

"People Power"

• Set builders and decorators
• 4 people to make 4 flagpoles
• Cleaning crew - after each performance
• Bump out crew post production - heavy lifting, hand people, remove sets from theatre

Please email Sarah Bailey if you can help with "people power" Sarah.Bailey2@education.vic.gov.au

Our Aladdin Jr production is moving full steam ahead! Students have been working hard as rehearsals gather momentum, with exciting progress in choreography, tech, costume preparations and set design. It has been wonderful to see the cast and crew growing in confidence as musical numbers and scenes begin to come together.

Our cast will be performing at the Warrandyte Festival on 12 March at 12:00pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to share their work with the wider community and gain valuable performance experience ahead of our main production season.

Our official production nights will be held from May 15–17, and we are very much looking forward to showcasing the incredible talent, energy and dedication of our students on stage. 

To ensure we continue building strong momentum, all cast members should be rehearsing their song lyrics and lines at home regularly. Knowing material confidently allows us to focus on performance quality, character development and stage presence during rehearsals. Students are also expected to arrive promptly at lunchtime rehearsals on Thursdays and Fridays, ready to listen and begin immediately.

Thank you to families for your ongoing support. The commitment from students has been outstanding, and we are excited to see Aladdin Jr truly shine in the coming months!

Production Dropbox is full of useful lyrics etc for students to help them rehearse:  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2uh24zb6op7csqbud3jed/AE1SLydRGsO_cGP6nYU4pv8?rlkey=e3qh0eqomaamieatbgjqmjsht&e=1&dl=0

Warm regards,

Sarah Bailey

Sarah.Bailey2@education.vic.gov.au