The Drama Department

Last edition, we gave an update on the exciting work and initiatives students were undertaking, and showing leadership in, through the Drama Department.

Given the strong focus on ownership in our college, it’s more important that you hear from the students rather than the teacher. We also celebrated year 11 student Catherine Baker’s success in being selected as one of the Melbourne Theatre Company’s Student Ambassadors. Here is her first report of her experience thus far:

Catherine Baker – MTC Student Ambassador

On the second of April was the Melbourne Theatre Company Ambassadors meet up. Nick Tranter is the Education Coordinator, who greeted us at the foyer and showed us around the MTC Headquarters. We started in the conference room with an introduction on the program, the shows were seeing and how the company works. #MTCAmbassadors is a program for 16 year 11 VCE students from around Victoria. It is an opportunity to learn about the theatre industry, specifically at MTC from professionals in many departments. It gives the students insight into how a theatre company works, as well as insight into and behind-the-scenes knowledge of the MTC shows. We were given a tour into each department room. The costume storage room, costume construction room, millinery room, set and props storage room, set and props production room as well as a peak into the rehearsal rooms. We ended the night with pizza and Arthur Miller’s ‘A View from the Bridge’ directed by Iain Sinclair.

On the 7th of May when you were all enjoying parent-teacher-student conferences, I went back to MTC for our second meeting! This time we met Adam Howe, MTC’s Technical and Production director who talked us through his role in the company overviewing the season, budgets and venues among other things with the Artistic Director of the company before they even announce the season and look for directors. He showed us many previous productions and the process for budgeting set in the types of theatres they use and how they managed to transform the stage in quick motions and sustain the audiences’ suspension-of-disbelief. It was followed by pizza and ended with the captivating and fast-paced play ‘The Violent Outburst That Drew Me To You’.

Ashlee Collett & Alex Raco (year 12) – Project Direct Directors

As the directing duo behind the upcoming play ‘War of the Words’ - we’re excited to undertake Project Direct alongside a band of equally passionate and enthusiastic students. We’ve had several group meetings already to learn about/discuss our roles to prepare us for the task ahead. Getting to know our fellow directors has been an absolute treat; collaborating with them (and hopefully you!) is something we’re fervently awaiting. If you (or anyone you know) is interested in auditioning for a role in any of the upcoming plays, pamphlets containing more information can be found on the outside of Ms. Sproule’s office door in the PAC - feel free to knock and enquire about Project Direct while you’re there! You can also collect them from the main office counter.

For those already ecstatic about acting, come on by to auditions on the 29th of May at 3:30PM - we would love to see you there! And for those who just want to watch, make sure to mark September 5th in your calendar so you don't miss out on some fantastic performances!

Isabella Dhiman (Year 8) – Wakakirri Group Leader

Wakakirri for me is a great experience and I have found it very fun so far. I have had the privilege to be chosen as a leader in the rehearsals for Wakakirri. As a leader, I get the opportunity to run a group in decision making for the theme of our show and practise our theatre skills. I enjoy how Wakakirri gives everyone a chance to get to know students in other year levels. I am very excited for our performance to come together and I think it is great that our school is giving us the opportunity to do this. 

Hannah Mortimer (Year 9) – Musical Theatre Production MAP Student

In Musical Theatre MAP this year we have completed a range of different workshops. Some of which include, singing, songwriting, music, costume, directing and so many more; these are all in preparation for our upcoming musical we are creating. We also got the amazing opportunity to attend a professional musical called 'Muriel's Wedding' to get inspiration and understand what a musical looks like. We have made heaps of new friends and have had so much fun.

Europe Arts Tour 2021

Having returned from our second tour in January of this year, planning and promotion for the third is well underway! We have plotted out our itinerary, sent it to three different educational travel companies so that they can prepare a quote, and are now only awaiting the third quote to come back to us. Once this happens we can ensure the best deal for the students and announce the official information night date! This information night will be for all interested students and their parents to attend, for all key information and how to move forward from there. However, you’re certainly welcome to express your interest now. Can I just say how exciting it is to have had the students who’ve already come up to me to tell me they’re coming! Of course, I’m going to wait until I get that confirmation from your parents before I consider it a given… 

Both of our previous Europe Arts tours have been an exceptional success. In January 2017, we took a group of students and parents to London and Paris, this year we went to London and Rome with a few days in Venice at the end, and in January 2021, we will be taking students to London and Athens. We have already had considerable interest in the opportunity and much of this has come from students who’ve already been on one or both of the previous tours!

Lisa Sailer (Austrian Exchange student) – Focus On a Drama Student

Introduce yourself and tell us something interesting about you:

My name is Lisa Sailer and I‘m 15 years old. I came to McClelland College three months ago, from Austria, to do an eight month long exchange program. Besides my passion for Drama, I also play field hockey.

What brought you to the McClelland Drama Department?

I definitely want to do something related to theatre and Drama when I finish school and university, so it was obvious for me to take Drama as one of my classes.

What are the highlights of your involvement in the department

The biggest highlight was definitely the performance at the ANZAC day assembly, where we performed a piece to honour the soldiers that died during war. I‘m also looking forward to the Wakakirri performance, that will take place in August.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever done on (or behind) stage?

Back in Austria I did my work experience in a theatre and they let me shoot a gun (it was filled with fake cartridges of course) backstage, during a performance, which was really fun. It sounds easier than it actually was, because I had to fire it at the exact same time that the actress on stage pulled the trigger, which is hard when you can‘t actually see what is happening on stage.

What’s the best piece of live theatre you’ve ever seen and why?

That is a very hard question, but probably ‘Der einsame Weg’, which is written by Arthur Schnitzler. I read the play in school first and then went to see it. The play generally portrays human conflicts very good and addresses the idea, that everyone is egotistic in a certain way. The performance itself was impressive as well, because I loved how they used scenes without dialogue, but just music and different lightning, to portray emotions.

Why do you think Drama is valuable in today’s society and why is it important to you?

I think practicing Drama teaches (especially younger people) a range of different skills. First of all, social skills, as you have to work with other people and learn how to think as a group and not just for yourself. Drama also encourages people to be more creative and share their ideas. You also gain so much confidence when doing Drama activities repeatedly. For me it is important, because I can explore so many different personalities, or even different parts of myself. 

Check back in to the next edition of COG to meet more students and hear different insights and updates on the Drama Department 

Emma Sproule

Head of Drama