Performing Arts

Communicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2021, and welcome your input:

Penelope Lang (Performing Arts) penelope.lang@education.vic.gov.au 

Our VSSS rehearsals are continuing every week. Choir is on a WEDNESDAY at 2.00pm and Dance is on a THURSDAY at 2.30pm. Please remind your children, as we have had some students not turning up and unfortunately their places will need to be given to other students....we have a waiting list of super keen performers.  If you haven't already done so then please take note of the following dates:

VSSS Dance rehearsal (at school): 22nd June 10am to 2.30pm

VSSS Choir rehearsals (Melbourne Town Hall): July 21st and August 11th 

Technical rehearsal (John Cain Arena): 9th and 10th September

Performance Day (John Cain Arena): 11th September (usually required 11am to 10.30pm)

As the VSSS performance is now going ahead in the Arena we will need to arrange buses for our city rehearsals. An updated cost for each participant will be provided as soon as possible.

Production Help Required

I am looking for people to help me with the following:

• Sewing of simple costumes
• Designing and printing our Performance Program (which we sell on the night)
• Photographer
• Prop makers/painters
• I also need any emerald green fabric you can donate
• We need tulle fabric (any colours) or any tulle skirts you would like to donate
• GREEN GREEN GREEN - we need donations of green sporting uniforms, suits, shirts, pants. Preferably emerald green with limited pictures or words etc.

Please send me an email penelope.lang@education.vic.gov.au if you are able to help with any of the above. I will seek backstage help closer to the event.

Foundation

The Foundation students did some great moving and grooving to, 'The Shearer's Skip'. This was a simple dance that enable them to practice spinning around in a circle with a partner and clapping in time with the beat. They rehearsed their songs and dances for school production with particular emphasis on our finale song, 'Coming Home'. We looked at improving our facial expressions (because even our faces 'dance' on stage when we perform) and looked at 'Mr Chop's Sweet Shop' for inspiration. The students also completed their Semester One portfolio task. It is important that you inform me immediately if you know your child will NOT be attending school production.

Level One/Two

The Level One students continued to learn additional choreography for their song, 'The Witches Ball' and the Level Two students continued dancing to 'Ease on Down the Road'. We spent time arranging our lines and stage positions which was a great opportunity to consolidate their understanding of the correct terminology for positions on a stage, ie stage left, stage right, upstage, downstage etc. The students completed a short portfolio task. I am in the process of finalising the split of students across the two performing nights. It is important that you inform me immediately if you know your child will NOT be attending school production.

Level Three/Four

The students continued to learn more choreography for their song, 'Dancing in the Street'. We also did a lyric rehearsal. The challenge now is to keep singing and dancing at the same time! It takes a lot of energy and focus. The students mastered some tricky line formations (horizonal to vertical and back again) and showed great collaboration and concentration. We had some exciting conversations about what occupations we would like to include in our fictional Emerald City. I hope you can help us with our GREEN costumes (see above). It is important that you inform me immediately if you know your child will NOT be attending school production.

Level Five/Six

The students recapped their understanding of the 'Actor's Toolbox' whilst completing their Semester One portfolio task. We linked these acting skills (drama voice, facial expressions, gesture, movement, characterisation and re-acting) to a chosen character from 'The Wizard of Oz'. Our acting rehearsals continued (every Thursday) and some students were brave enough to start acting without their scripts. Our dance rehearsals have progressed at a steady pace. We are now beginning to talk about sets and costumes. It is important that you inform me immediately if you know your child will NOT be attending school production.