Performing Arts
Staffing
We were pleased to welcome two new staff to Performing Arts this year. Over the coming weeks, we will feature some information about our new music teachers, Mr Glen Impey and Mr Victor Brincat. The Music rooms have already been pumping with great sounds filling the hallways. They are also teaching some of the Primary Performing Arts. We also welcome back, albeit temporarily, Mrs Stephanie Abela who will be teaching across a number of areas. It is great to have her back.
Other staff involved in delivering Performing Arts include: Ms Robyn Cole in Music, Mr Jevon Scandrett and Ms Beth Thomson in Primary Performing Arts and Secondary Drama, Mr Linden Koodravsev and Ms Stephanie Opasinis in Media, while Mr Luciano Bernes, Ms Jacky Armstrong and I take the remaining Drama classes.
College Musical
Yesterday afternoon many of the students who had successfully auditioned for last year’s College Musical, The Addams Family gathered in the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre along with an impressive number of newcomers to hear about this year’s plans. With plans shelved last year, we again plan to present the well-known and very funny story of The Addams Family. Ms Thomson has taken over direction duties and is eagerly looking forward to next week’s auditions, with rehearsals starting on Monday 22 February. If you have not signed up yet, do not miss the opportunity to get involved in one of the biggest College events of the year. See Ms Thomson or me in the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre as soon as possible. Rehearsals will be on Monday and Wednesday afternoon. The production opens on Friday 23 July and tickets will go on sale at the end of Term 2.
College Middle School Play
Those who do not see themselves as singers and dancers might instead like to get involved in the Middle School Play. Students from Years 7-9 are in invited to audition for this production which hits the stage early in May. The Year 11 Theatre Studies class are working with me to finalise the choice and we have it down to two possibilities. An information session is being held on Wednesday at lunchtime next week when the name of the production will be revealed. The production will open on Thursday 6 May and a cast of around 30 is required. Students involved in Middle School Play cannot also do College Musical as rehearsals will be on Tuesday and Thursday after school.
Instrumental Music Lessons
Term 1 lessons involving more than 150 students will commence on Monday. Students who are enrolled would have received a timetable via email last week. If your child has missed out on Term 1 but is interested in taking lessons from the start of Term 2, you are encouraged to get an application completed as soon as possible to ensure a place in the schedule. Details and enrolment forms are available at:
https://myaitken.fireflycloud.net.au/music-lessons/enrolment-information
Please get in touch with Ms Beth Thomson via email if you have further questions.
Music Ensembles
A wonderful way to advance music skills is by being involved in a music ensemble. Students who take private instrumental lessons are strongly encouraged to get involved, but ensembles are open to anyone with some interest in music. At Aitken, there are before and after school and lunchtime ensembles in singing, woodwind, guitar and strings. Keep an eye on the bulletin for schedules and start dates.
2021 Performing Arts Captains
This year, I wanted to give you a little insight into our new Performing Arts Captains. All three bring a breadth of performance experience, on stage and behind the scenes, across a number of years.
Sean B started at Aitken in Year 7 in 2016. His favourite experience in performing arts was the second show of the College Play Tartuffe in 2019 where the show went almost as perfectly as it could and he was able to see the work he had done designing audio, work collaboratively with lighting, set, acting and all the other stage crafts which was incredible to be a part of. Signing up for Media Crew got Sean hooked on Performing Arts. Through filming the performances/plays, Sean could see the magic that went into creating shows, both on stage and behind the scenes. When he was in Year 10 he got his first real taste through Theatre Craft and has been involved in the performing arts ever since. His favourite VCE subject is Theatre Studies and he would consider going down a Theatre pathway after school.
Isabelle D started at Aitken in Year 7 in 2016. She lists Spamalot in 2019 as her favourite Performing Arts experience. It was such an energetic show with an amazing cast that encouraged each other to improve. Every show ended with beaming smiles and exhaustion; it was a truly unforgettable experience. Her favourite subject is VCE Theatre Studies as it provides opportunities to experience all areas of theatrical production and styles. Whether it was Absurdist or Shakespearean, class was always practical and balanced productivity with fun. After leaving school, Isabelle plans to do a degree in either Media and Communications or Arts to either enter journalism or anything to do with music or theatre.
Lewis M started at Aitken in Year Prep in 2008. For Lewis, being a part of the cast of Tartuffe, such a wonderful experience and small cast that genuinely felt like a second family. Being able to perform such a high energy and intimate show with people that he loves has been a highlight. While his favourite subject is VCE Theatre Studies, the time he knew he was really hooked on Performing Arts was playing Mr Toad in the Middle School Play, The Wind in the Willows in 2017. Here, Lewis discovered how much room there was to grow through different roles and how much variation between performances could exist.
Performing Arts Captains’ Concert
This week, the Captains have started planning our major performance opportunity, The Performing Arts Captains’ Concert which will be held on Thursday 25 March. This is one of only two concerts where students get to present their own creativity in all of the areas of the Performing Arts. Keep an eye on student bulletins as they will soon be seeking items from students. If necessary, auditions will be conducted by the end of February. The Captains’ Concert raises money for a selected charity each year. A decision on the charity will be made shortly.
Mr Michael Cooper
Director of Performing Arts