On October 15, our Year 10, 11 and 12 Drama students took to the Marian Theatre stage to perform their self-devised work to an audience of staff, family and friends.

Our Year 10s presented an ensemble performance, using the stimulus of the myth of Pandora’s Box. Over a few short weeks, they worked in small groups and as a whole class to brainstorm, research, improvise, script, edit, rehearse and refine their performance. The Year 10s shared the story of Pandora through mime, enhanced by sound design and mask. They created scenes focusing on evils unleashed on the world: fast fashion and consumerism, greed and the quest for power, and the social media pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations. Their performance then concluded with a message of hope.

Our VCE students presented solo performances on the night. Year 11 students selected pieces exploring issues in Australia, choosing The New Planeteer and The Melbourne Artist. It was the first time these students had created and presented solo performances, focusing on transformation of character, time and place.

The evening concluded with a performance by Year 12 student Rory Thompson, who presented a solo performance on the character 'The Reporter'. Throughout Term 3, Rory had focused on developing and refining their performance piece in preparation for the VCAA Performance Exam. Just a few days before the Drama Night, Rory presented their solo to the VCAA assessors.  It was wonderful that they were then able to share their hard work with family and friends, to further inspire our Year 10s and 11s.

All performances not only entertained the audience but also asked them to think about the social and political issues explored in each piece. Congratulations to all involved!