Page 28 - 2023 - The Altiora Vol 75

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28 | PERFORMING AR TS
PERFORMING ARTS
YEAR 11 DRAMA STUDENTS IMPRESS IN “THE RIFF”
YEAR 11 DRAMA STUDENTS IMPRESS IN “THE RIFF”
In June, our Year 11 Drama students performed to Our groups’ piece Teetering, Not Falling was a
rave reviews at the Q Theatre at The Joan Sutherland sophisticated look at what happens when those who
Performing Arts Centre in Penrith in The Riff. return are not the people they were when they left, and

Blue Mountains Grammar has a long history of what it is like to return home to a place that is not the
participating in the Q Theatre’s annual youth theatre same.
festivals, and our students have performed in every Our episodic work explored a variety of time periods
iteration for the past thirty years. and theatrical styles, and included dialogue in six
The Year 11 students worked in class for six weeks different languages, including AUSLAN (Australian Sign
with professional theatre practitioner Margaret Davis Language). Original music was composed by members
to create an original piece of theatre based around the of the class and performed live on stage. Our students’
idea of “Welcome Home”. performance evoked a powerful audience response,
from laughter to tears.
This in-class work culminated in our two performances
at the Q Theatre on 2 June, firstly a matinee for local Our students were outstanding ambassadors for
nd
schools, then a public performance that evening. the school, and are to be commended for their truly
amazing performance.

OPPOR TUNITY DRA WS TWO FINE Y OUNG A CT ORS
OPPORTUNITY DRAWS TWO FINE YOUNG ACTORS
Year 10 students James Reynolds Mrs Cindy Pecovnik, Head of
and Raphael Hampartzoumian Drama, commented: “It is so
were selected for inclusion in important to create places and
the Australian Theatre for Young spaces for young people to tell
People’s (ATYP) Intersection their stories. Initiatives like the
Festival. The boys perfomed a Intersection Festival open a world
new Australian short play Pullet at beyond the school gates for our
the Rebel Theatre in Walsh Bay in students to dream big and be
August. filled with the optimism of endless
James and Raphael impressed opportunity.”
with their excellent work ethic,
using their allotted rehearsal Pictured right, Raphael and James outside
time to great effect and readily the theatre and, below, our Stage 5 Drama
adapting to a new space. They classes who attended their performance.
incorporated the direction from
Festival director, George Kemp,
and both students were focused,
calm and professional.
Our Stage 5 Drama classes
travelled to the theatre after
school to see the performances
of this year’s Festival, all of which
were written by young, emerging
playwrights who were making
their world premieres on stage.