Dancers take to the stage!

Fourteen GSSC students were a part of the recent performance of 'Within' by the Awaken Dance Theatre Company as a part of the Shepparton Festival 25th Anniversary. The performance was held at Riverlinks Westside across the Queen's Birthday long weekend and played four times, to sold out audiences.  

Congratulations go the these amazing, committed and talented students who shone so brightly on stage with an incredible amount of skill and heart: Emily Brierley, Ada Coonerty, Liv Coonerty, Essie Cox, Kayla Davis, Chelsea Hall, Bridie Mackay, Breanna Makin, Madi Mastin-Lundberg, Amy McCorry, Caly Mills, Holly-Jay Sinclair-Dealy, Harry Watson and Eby Young.

Here’s what some students had to say about their experience of being involved. 

"Being a part of Awaken Dance Theatre Company is such a privilege! The show 'Within' was my third season with the company and we worked in partnership with The Australian Ballet. Together we explored the idea of COVID-19 Lockdown and the impact it has had on everyone individually. 

'Within' had seven scenes, each was a different stage of the global pandemic, starting with everything being normal, then the effects of being isolated and then returning to a different normal. This piece was very relatable to the dancers and the audience. Being a part of this project was a truly amazing experience that I’ll never forget!"

Breanna Makin, Year 11

"'Within' was my first performance season and project with the Awaken Dance Theatre Company. We started rehearsing in January and explored the concept of the impact of the lockdowns.

The Australian Ballet assisted us to create and shape the content and everyone contributed to the choreography in a collaboration. When the show started coming together, I learnt how to express my emotion and connect with the audience and really push myself to my limits.

This experience has not only improved my dancing, but has also given me a whole new bunch of friends, just like a second family. We were together and rehearsed almost every Sunday and we all became so close to each other. I absolutely loved this experience and cannot wait until next year to do it all again!"

Chelsea Hall, Year 11