Performing Arts
Dance
This term Grade 7 Dance have enjoyed learning some iconic movements from various eras. Through intense research they have collaboratively planned a choreographic routine inspired by the Evolution of Dance stimulus. We can't wait to see the final result of all their hard work!
Grade 9 Dance have finished off the year with some creative performances choreographed by themselves. With a mash up of various musicals, they have got into character and successfully worked collaboratively to convey their ideas. With many challenges came great triumph which is evident in their results.
Year 10 Dance students have officially completed their last piece of assessment for the year. They have finished up with a theory exam where they have had to respond to an unseen stimulus. Students have applied their analytical skills to draw meaning from the contemporary routine. We look forward to many of these students continuing onto our senior dance program next year in grade 11.
Dance Squad finished the year off with a combined pancake breakfast with Dance Troupe before they were off for their final public performance at Orion. After a photo with Santa it was time to pack away the costumes and prep for auditions!
We have had a successful time with auditions for both Junior and Senior Dance Squads for 2023. The talent in the room was at such a high standard, certainly making it a tough decision. If you missed out on auditioning this year, don’t worry! We will be holding another audition early next year.
Congratulations to all of our Dance Troupe students who have had a successful year developing their technical and expressive skills. We look forward to seeing many of these students audition for next year's team and are so impressed with how far they have come this year. Thank you to all of the parents who have supported our extra-curricular dance programs.
This year RVSSC introduced a cheerleading inspired pom team. Students from Dance Troupe and Squad were given the opportunity to audition for the routine performed at 2022 Arts Showcase. Over fourteen weeks, sixteen students learnt how to perform basic stunting, including teddy sit, show-and-go, thigh stands and learned the correct form for performing cheerleading jumps. Students displayed their commitment to the team by attending early Friday morning trainings, and additional lunch trainings (where necessary) and applied significant effort to ensure a clean routine was showcased. The 2022 team inspired many students to audition for the 2023 cheerleading team. Cheerleading is a sport that promotes team building and encourages collaboration across a variety of abilities, year levels and personalities, whilst ensuring the safety of all team members is at the forefront of the team’s priorities. Coach Keating is excited to move up to a level 1/level 2 routine in the new year and incorporating the use of the newly purchased non-spring cheer dead mat.
Drama
Year 8 Drama are finishing up their final assessment task where they have stepped into the shoes of a director! For this task they have been using the play text Honey Spot which is in the genre of Australian Theatre. They have been busy writing directors statements, drawing costume and set designs and evaluating their progress as they go.
Year 9 Drama students have just submitted their theory assessment where they have linked modern comedy to Commedia dell'arte conventions and characters. Commedia dell’arte is a crucial convention of stock characters psychological characteristics, lazzi, and characters battle for status is heavily influenced by current comedies to this day. Despite the fact that this style was developed many years ago, its primary stylistics rules were so beneficial in crafting comedic pieces that they are being utilized in many modern comedies today. Commedia dell’arte relies extensively on two dimensional, or often stereotypical, characters, similar to those found in many current comedies. An effective application makes use of dramatic elements and conventions such as role, relationship, lazzi, and tone which can be seen through the American animated television series “The Simpsons.” The uses of stock characters such as Colombina, Arlecchino and Pulcinella conducts different relationship statuses, along with conventions of stereotyping characters to successfully form a piece of Commedia Dell’ Arte. The theatrical norms and features clearly indicate how this styles heritage underlie todays current comedies.
Year 10 Drama students have finished up for the year with their final assessment in exam block. Next year we will be offering both ATAR Drama and Drama in Practice for students to continue their studies.
Congratulations to our Drama Troupe on completing their first year at our college. We have been so excited to offer extra-curricular Drama to our community. For those students who are interested in being part of this group next year we will have information out early Term 1 on how you can be part of this team.
Music
Year 7 Music students are finishing up on their composing task which has been an exciting opportunity for them to create their own song and work with music editing programs. These students will then be able to select Music as an elective again when they are in year 9.
Year 10 Music students have finished up for this year with their final composition task which was due this week during their exam session. Next year for year 11 we will be offering both general and applied syllabuses for students to continue their Music studies.
This year our school vocal group has slowly grown throughout the year, culminating in our performances at Showcase. Their vocal coach, Mr Barclay, is very proud of their commitment and growth, and looks forward to continuing to work with them next year. For students who are interested in joining next year, communications will come out early next year.
Creative Generation 2023
C-Gen nominations have been sent in! We thank all students who have signed up and can't wait for auditions next year!
Jessica Starkey
HOD - Performing Arts