Performing Arts News

Production preparations!

It’s not long until our one-night only performance of “Mary Poppins JR” on Thursday, October 29. With nineteen scenes, forty-three audio tracks and a cast of 200, it’s no small show to bring to the stage! Our Prep – Year 5 students have been drawing on all areas of the Performing Arts – music, dance and drama – to create their class items. The Year 6s have been extending their learning by developing skills in scene acting, working with a vocal coach to learn techniques to assist solo singing, and they have even been introduced to stage sound technology with an audio engineer. 

Here are some important updates regarding production:

• Tickets are now on sale through George Wood Performing Arts Centre “What’s On” page.
• Student Costume items: Each grade has been sent a Compass post outlining the required footwear and hairstyles to accompany the hired costumes. Please remember there are cheap options for stage shoes – canvas lace-ups in black and white cost as little as $4 at Kmart, Target and Big W, and Op Shops often have good options, too.  Please see me if you are having any problems.
• Costume fitting day: The students can’t wait to see their costumes! While some students have been lucky enough to get an early sneak-peak and try-on, most students will need to wait until the arrival of our hired costumes on Friday, October 23rd. On this day, all students from Grade 1 – 6 will need to wear their base costume (singlet and bike shorts over undergarments) so they can change in shared spaces. Parent helpers will be needed, so please let me or your classroom teacher know if you can assist.
• Dress rehearsal at school: In addition to the full-dress rehearsal at George Wood Theatre on performance day, there will be a dress rehearsal with our lead cast and grades in the Bampi on Monday, October 26. Could all students please wear their base costume over their undergarments on this day, too, so they can try dancing and moving in their costumes and any adjustments can be made.
• Sets and Props: the students have been enjoying watching our 1910-era sets and props gradually appearing in the Bampi. Big thanks to the Plummer family for working together over the holidays to build and paint our skyline silhouettes! The Fernando family have also been busy creating some delicious props for Mrs. Corry’s Talking Shop, while the Mackay family have added a fun sign for our ‘Jolly Holiday’ set. Thankyou to you all, and to the other families who have kindly loaned items or offered to assist. This year we are lucky to have many set items generously loaned to us by Sleeping Star Productions.

Spec Students shine at John Cain Arena

Big congratulations to our Year 5 & 6 Victorian State Schools Spectacular mass dance ensemble on giving two dynamic performances late last term at John Cain Arena! 

Not only did your terrific dance moves shine, but also the kindness and care you showed one another and shared with students from other schools. You were wonderful ambassadors for Warrandyte Primary School. 

We were equally proud of past students Zack, Izayah, Lilla, Maeva and Callum who gave confident performances on the main stage with roles including principal vocalist, principal dancer and VSSS specialist choir singer.

Many thanks to staff members Dave Pelosi and Elisha McPhedran and parent helper Kaz Anderson for joining me in assisting our students at the arena.

Kirsty Wolters