Meet Some Cast Members

With the opening of Strictly Ballroom just six weeks away, the cast and crew are in full rehearsal mode. Below, two cast members share their views on their acting experience, their character in Strictly Ballroom, and what they love about this particular production. They also share their advice for future students contemplating auditioning for a Girton Senior School Production. 

Tickets go on sale soon for shows at the Ulumbarra Theatre on the evenings of:

Wednesday 22nd June, Thursday 23rd June and Friday 24th June. 

Indi-mara Bodin

Character: Shirley Hastings

Since starting at Girton in Year 7, I have enjoyed many Girton productions, including; The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Matilda, Guys and Dolls and Peter Pan. My involvement has ranged from lead roles to ensemble cast members, and I’ve loved doing a range of different shows and characters. 

This year I’m playing Shirley Hastings in Strictly Ballroom. Shirley is unlike any role I have played before. She is an incredibly over the top classic Aussie dance mum and proud of her son Scott, but struggles with him throughout the show, as he tries to dance his own unique steps, much to the disappointment of his family and the dance federation. My favourite part of playing Shirley is the comedic elements of playing such an over-the-top character and the diva qualities she shows around the dance floor. I have loved learning some new dances and songs and working with a great bunch of people who are just as excited to be in this fabulous show as me. I have so enjoyed exploring my character and the excitement of being back on the big stage this year!

For anyone thinking of being involved in a Girton production in the future, my biggest piece of advice would be to just go for it! You really don’t have to have any previous theatre experience to give it a go. At the end of the day, it really is so rewarding to be on stage with your friends having fun. 

Elizabeth McGrath

Character: Kylie (Scott’s younger sister)

Since I commenced at Girton, I have participated in so many new things, the production being one of them. I have never really been a part of a professional performance before, as my Year 6 play was recorded, not performed, due to COVID-19. In my year six production, I played an over the top, rich character who called everyone “darling”. It was a lot of fun and gave me a taste of what performing is like, but it is nothing like this year’s Senior School production. 

In Strictly, I play Kylie. She is 12 years old and Scott’s little sister. She has some funny one-liners, and she dreams of becoming a ballroom star like Scott one day. I enjoy playing Kylie because she is funny and light-hearted. She has a song in the production that she sings with Luke, her dance partner. It’s called Dance Like Everyone’s Watching, and I think it shows her personality and her dream of becoming a ballroom queen. My favourite part of playing Kylie is that she is a little kid, which means she gets to do some pretty fun things on stage, and I get to play around with her character. 

I have enjoyed being in the production so far for many reasons. I have enjoyed learning the dances and playing a character. It gives you the freedom to explore parts of yourself that you didn’t know you had. I have met so many fun people that share my interests. I think that auditioning for the Senior School production is a great experience. You meet so many amazing and talented people that you can learn so much from. If you are thinking about auditioning for a role in a Senior School production, you should. If you get in or not, you gain so many valuable and wonderful skills. I was new to the performing arts at Girton, but everyone welcomed me, and I felt like I belonged. The whole production process is so much fun, and I know that these great memories and experiences will stay with me forever.