Performing Arts News
2020 Production Announcement
A heads up about next year’s college production – we are doing the brilliant new show Freaky Friday! We are one of the first schools in Australia to be performing this show, so exciting times ahead in 2020!
Earlier in term 4 there was a student focus group meeting, where current students provided feedback and input into the production planning process. This also included the creation of a Production Handbook which details information about the roles as well as expectations for students who are thinking about being involved in the cast, the crew and the orchestra for next year’s show.
The Production Team are also planning to run an Information session early in 2020 for students and their families to discuss the commitment involved, leadership opportunities and expectations.
Synopsis: The new musical, Freaky Friday, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, features a book by Bridget Carpenter – the co-executive producer and writer on the beloved TV hits, “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood” – and music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey – the Pulitzer Prize-winning composers of Next to Normal and If/Then. When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just 24 hours before Mom’s big wedding to put things right again. Freaky Friday is a hilarious, contemporary update of the classic story, in which a mother and daughter see what it means to be a family while experiencing each other’s lives firsthand, if only for a day. Set in the present day, Freaky Friday features a tuneful pop-rock score, befitting a work that has effortlessly updated throughout its several iterations. Warmhearted, humorous and touching, this fresh take on the classic story is perfect for family audiences of all ages.
Performance Dates - late Term 2
Tuesday 23rd June (Evening Performance)
Wednesday 24th June (Matinee & Evening Performance)
Thursday 25th June (Evening Performance)
Production workshop during Activities Week – Monday 16th December
There will be an all-day audition preparation workshop on the 2020 GEC production of Freaky Friday. It will run for the whole school day and will include sessions on singing, dancing and acting. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the show chosen for 2020 including the synopsis and about the characters, as well as how to choose and prepare audition material. All students who are interested in being part of the cast are encouraged to attend, please bring your own lunch and snacks for the day.
For more information or to register your interest in attending the workshop please contact either Ms Tori Wood (vwo@gec.vic.edu.au) or Ms Laura Baker-Goldsmith (lbg@gec.vic.edu.au)
VSSS19 - Channel 7 Broadcast
Be sure to tune in to Channel 7 on Saturday 7 December at 7pm for a special broadcast of the 2019 Victorian State Schools Spectacular. The two-hour broadcast will feature highlights from the live performances as well as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
The show will also be simulcast via live streaming on the 7plus app and 7plus website (available for 30 days).
Odelia Ashkar 7A
Nina Gibbs 7B
Alma-Mia Marret 7C
Ananya Sreejith Chandroth 7D
Patrick Cruden 7G
Lihee Ashkar 8A
Orleanna Murray de Brossard 8B
Harriet Rowsell 8C
Rudi Hudson 8C
Diksha Padmakumar 8G
Alannah De Jesus 10
Gauri Gupta 10
Lottie Hudson 10
There were some other talented students who performed in other areas of this year’s Spec too:
- Ben Matthews – Performing Arts Unit choir
- Yvette Lipovetsky – Performing Arts Unit choir
Hope you tune in and get to see our talented students performing as part of #VSSS19!
Laura Baker-Goldsmith
Year 8 YLC & Head of Performing Arts