Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2022

Behind the Curtain A candid chat with sound designer and theatre artist, Ms Isabella Hall

Mr Ben Dervish-Ali Drama Teacher & Coordinator of Drama Productions

Ms Isabella Hall has worked with BGGS as a sound designer on many productions since 2018, and as a visiting artist in the Drama Studio co-curricular club. She made her mainstage directorial debut this year in the Year 9 and 10 Drama Production, This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing by Australian playwright, Finegan Kruckemeyer.

Tell me about your passion for theatre. — I was always interested in fantasy, and passionate about magic and things outside of the ordinary In theatre, magic comes to life right before your eyes; the world you exist in while watching a performance isn’t the same as the one outside the theatre doors—you are transported to another place I love theatre because it lets me exist in another world For many years the School has benefitted from your technical expertise as a sound designer. How would you describe your first project with BGGS? — My first experience with BGGS was very dear to me The Director I was working with was kind enough to take a chance on me as a

professional development as a musician, but I wanted to explore a different avenue. In my first year at QUT, I was cast in a production as both an actor and sound designer After that, my heart was set on veering my musical practice towards composition and sound design for theatre The Drama Studio, our weekly Co curricular Drama club, has been privileged to have you as a visiting artist since 2021. What has this experience of fringe theatre works been like? — I love Drama Studio because the focus is on high-paced creation, exercising creativity in a welcoming environment, and letting the students take the reins Programs like Drama Studio help young people learn critical skills like confidence-building, valuing your intuition, and realising the capability of your imagination, which I believe are all so important to learn at an early age These are the skills that help you tackle and master anything you set your mind to in life, so it is very rewarding to be involved in a program that helps young people cultivate these mindsets ■

first-time sound designer when I was only 19 years old, and the School provided me with all the support and encouragement I needed to make it to the finish line. My most vivid memory is of the opening night when I fired my first sound cue. My hand was shaking, but after this first cue I realised that I too was part of the big team on stage, and there was no room for nerves! I relaxed and just appreciated being there and enjoyed what we had created together Can you discuss your training with sound, and what influenced you to engage with this field? — My relationship with sound and music stretches as far back as I can remember My father is a multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer who had me playing instruments and helping him with recording equipment since I was strong enough to lift it At school, I was part of a rigorous music program and trained as a percussionist and vocalist, while being highly involved in the Drama department I studied both Music and Drama at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and I knew I wanted to continue my

above Ms Isabella Hall left Flora Cardell-Ree (9O) and Shonam George (9M) in rehearsals for the production, This Girls Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girls Does Nothing

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

16

Issue 2, 2022