Celebrating Drama and Dance

Busyness is nothing unusual for the Drama and Dance department. However, with the busyness comes the risk of neglecting to process and celebrate the success of one thing before quickly moving on to the next.
From major productions and festival performances to showcases and student-devised theatre, our students and staff continue to demonstrate exceptional commitment, talent, and creativity.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

Without question, the remarkably successful season of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been a highlight for us all. The production captivated audiences and brought an infectious sense of excitement across the entire College community. Students and staff worked tirelessly to bring this whimsical world to life and created a theatrical experience that delighted audiences of all ages.

The production became much more than a show. Its themes, characters, and sense of imagination rippled through the College, inspiring learning experiences well beyond the stage. One particularly memorable moment saw our Year 2 students receive a special visit from Veruca Salt, who assisted them with a narrative writing task. Their enthusiasm and engagement were a wonderful reflection of the magic that theatre can create.

The success of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our cast, crew, orchestra, production team, and volunteers. The commitment, perseverance, and teamwork created throughout this experience, resulted in a production that will be remembered for years to come.

IGSSA Dance Festival

Term 3 has also seen our students deliver two exceptional performances at the IGSSA Dance Festival. These performances showcased not only the technical skill of our dancers but also their artistry, commitment, and passion for performance.

A special acknowledgement must go to our dedicated Dance staff, whose expertise and countless hours of preparation ensured every performance was polished and inspiring. We are also incredibly grateful for the contribution of our talented alumni choreographer, Ella Brown, Our Extend Dance groups once again demonstrated excellence on stage, representing the College with confidence, professionalism, and pride.

As we celebrate these achievements, we are already looking forward to our next major dance event. Be sure to save the date for the annual Dance Showcase in the Rixon Theatre on Saturday, 17 October. Audiences can expect a spectacular evening featuring performances from students across the Secondary School. It promises to be an evening of creativity, energy, and entertainment.

OSC Night

Year 12 ATAR Dance students recently presented their OSC Night in the Rixon Theatre, performing to an audience of family and friends. The evening celebrated the creativity, talent, and dedication of this outstanding cohort as they shared the culmination of months of preparation and artistic development. Students showcased a group work by renowned choreographer Scott Ewan, alongside their Original Solo Compositions created for their upcoming WACE examinations.

We congratulate the students on their achievements and wish them every success in their final practical examinations.

Children's Theatre 

Our Year 8 Drama students embraced the challenge of Children's Theatre with enthusiasm and imagination this term. Following the conventions of the theatre style, students devised and performed original works specifically for audiences in the Junior School.

The task provided our Year 8 students with an authentic performance experience, allowing them to develop their understanding of audience, storytelling, and purposeful theatre-making.

Year 12 Drama Showcase 

Our graduating Drama students presented their annual Year 12 Drama Showcase. The evening provided students with the opportunity to perform both group and individual pieces developed throughout the year.

For our ATAR Drama students, the showcase was an invaluable opportunity to present their work before an audience and receive feedback prior to undertaking their WACE practical performance examinations during the first week of the upcoming school holidays. Held in the Drama Studio, the event highlighted not only the students' performance skills but also their courage, creativity, and commitment to their craft. The quality of work on display was exceptional and reflected the strength of a truly wonderful cohort.

As we reflect on the past term, we are immensely proud of the achievements of our students and grateful for the dedication of our staff, families, alumni, and supporters. The breadth of experiences offered through Drama and Dance at Penrhos, continue to inspire creativity, confidence, and collaboration, and we look forward to finishing the year with another exciting term of performances and celebrations.