Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2016

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SYDNEY DRAMA TOUR 2016

Sydney Drama Tour students at an Epic Theatre workshop run by the Australian Theatre for Young People

AUTHORS Stephanie van der Jagt (12B) and Remy Smithers (12R) Year 12 Drama students

THE 2016 SYDNEY DRAMA TOUR WAS A TRIP TO REMEMBER, LEAVING THE EIGHTEEN GIRLS WHO ATTENDED INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED TO TACKLE TERM III. IN A FOUR-DAY, JAM-PACKED TOUR, THE SENIOR DRAMA STUDENTS DOVE INTO AUSTRALIAN ART CULTURE, EXPERIENCING ALL THAT SYDNEY HAS TO OFFER FROM THEATRE VISITS AND DRAMA WORKSHOPS TO SIGHTSEEING AND SHOPPING. ON THIS CREATIVE ODYSSEY BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS LET THEIR INNER ARTISTS EMERGE … After experiencing the buzz of Sydney’s Queen Victoria building and its selection of culinary delights, we went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, not letting the downpour of rain dampen our spirits. There the interactive and colourful exhibitions by Sydney’s most creative and exuberant artists enriched our minds and piqued our curiosity, a fitting introduction for the weekend ahead. That night, we visited The Stables Theatre, home to the Griffin Theatre Company, to watch Lee Lewis’ The Literati ; a humorous and intellectually stimulating theatrical performance, with outstanding actors who delivered the sophisticated script. ‘ Sydney’s most creative and exuberant artists enriched our minds, and piqued our curiosity’ Friday brought an abundance of food, culture and theatre. After a scrumptious buffet breakfast, we ventured through the Royal Botanic Gardens before arriving at the Sydney

Opera House. There, a tour told us of its fascinating history and gave behind the scenes access, allowing us to see the brilliant logistics behind Sydney’s most famous performance venue. That night, at the Sydney Theatre, home to the Sydney Theatre Company, we experienced another complex and engaging production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons , bringing tears to many eyes. On the final full day, we were in our element, taking part in a workshop at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) which provided challenging and fascinating insights into different performing styles and techniques. The workshop explored Verbatim theatre, giving Year 11 girls studying The Laramie Project invaluable experience. Girls workshopped several different scenes and were able to create their own Verbatim-inspired performances connecting with life after school. A well-deserved break found us grooving along to the extravagant musical experience of Singin’ in the Rain at Sydney Lyric. Later that night, we were lucky enough to attend an outstanding performance of Lally Katz’s Back at the Dojo , a standout performance which encapsulated the power and beauty of the arts. Before departing, we took part in the Australian Theatre for Young People’s physically demanding but nevertheless highly enjoyable workshop exploring Epic theatre and the world of Bertolt Brecht, which proved particularly helpful on the Year 12’s journey with Mother Courage and Her Children , a celebrated play by Bertolt Brecht which they were to study in the coming term.

SPRING ISSUE / 2016