2014 School Magazine

SYDNEY DRAMA TOUR ELLIE BAULCH (12R) After a notoriously busy Term III, Year 11 and 12 Drama students were extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Sydney Drama Tour this year. We had the privilege of working with National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) actors across three compelling workshops, which challenged each of us as we ventured into unfamiliar areas of drama, including on-screen acting and Lecoq‘s levels of tension. The group made the most of opportunities to receive feedback on individual monologue performances as well as group tasks, including employing physical theatre to mirror the motions of inanimate objects. We were also incredibly fortunate to be transported into the world of theatre through four separate performances, one of which was The Chosen , the work commissioned for Brisbane Girls Grammar School that was first performed last year and included many of the girls on the trip. Our daily walks along the Harbour to and from activities, which included backstage tours of the Opera House and Sydney Theatre Company, general sightseeing and shopping, were made all the more glorious by the perfect weather. For the Year 12s especially, this trip provided a wonderful highlight to mark the end of an immensely rewarding two years of senior Drama. ■

JUNIOR DRAMA PRODUCTION IVY LAWRENCE (10E)

This year, an extraordinary number of enthusiastic Year 9 and 10 Drama students auditioned to be cast in the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Junior Production, House on Fire . The play was written by acclaimed Australian playwright, Debra Oswald, and explores the concept of growing up and facing the world on your own; a teenager’s fears, insecurities, friendship, family, grief and social pressures.

At the end of Term II, the cast was announced and eleven girls began their first rehearsal with a script reading. Initial rehearsals explored characterisation and the complex sibling relationships that underpin the key tension points of the narrative. A challenge for the young cast was to ensure distinct and clear character portrayal whilst finding truthful delivery. The other challenge is being able to relate to one of the play’s central concerns — how young people deal with loss and change.

Director, Mrs Gyte, created a detailed, realistic set design with the creative carpentry help of Mr Vogler. Assisted by Miss Johnston, the ensemble presented a heart-warming and polished performance. This was a wonderful opportunity for the younger drama students and we thank the Grammar community for being such a generous audience. ■