Performing Arts
Welcome back to Term 3! We have a big term coming up with lots of events for our Performing Arts students. Our junior classes (Years 7-9) have now changed their rotation in electives for Semester 2 so we look forward to welcoming our new classes into Dance, Drama and Music. The Performing Arts not only teaches subject specific content but a variety of life skills such as; leadership, empathy, critical thinking, technology, confidence, communication, global citizenship, collaboration, connection and creativity. We encourage all of our Performing Arts students to give it a go, try their best and have fun whilst engaging in Dance, Drama or Music.
DANCE
Our Dance Teams have two eisteddfods coming up this term. The Ipswich Performers Dance Festival and the Lockyer District Dancing Festival. In our curriculum classes our students will study two strands of making and responding where our students get to experience performance, theory and choreography.
DANCE ACADEMY
We are looking for dancers who are keen to be a part of our 2024 Dance Academy program in either years 7, 8 or 9. Our last trial day for Dance Academy is coming up on Friday 8th September (Week 9). This will be your final chance to audition for our Dance Academy program. The EOI for this process will open shortly so please stay tuned to our socials for this.
We understand that the trial process may be daunting. If you interested in trialing for the Academy in Week 9, we will be holding some fun "come and try" sessions for those students in Year's 7 to Year 9. During these sessions you will get to learn a jazz routine that is at the standard of our Academy program. "Come and try" will run on Mondays at second break in the dance room (J111) from Weeks 2 - 4. Students are welcome to come along to all sessions or just one! If you would like some more information about the Dance Academy program then please see Miss Starkey, Miss Doorley or Mr Dunn.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Week 2 - 4 Monday second break: Come and Try Jazz routine
Week 9 Friday: Academy trial day
DRAMA
Our Drama Troupe is extending their creativity and improvisation skills into the original comedic style of Commedia dell' Arte.
In our curriculum classes, our students will study a range of dramatic styles through the strands of making, performing and responding. This variety of task types engages our students in devising theatre, performing and analysing whilst Drama students grow their skills in confidence, collaboration and critical thinking, all of which will help them in future pathways.
MUSIC
This term we welcome a new class of Year 9 students who will begin learning the fundamentals of music reading, performing and creating! Senior music has begun examining how social, political and cultural identities can be communicated through music in both a modern and historical context. Our ATAR students have begun planning their projects while In Practice is developing their performance craft to communicate their own identity through music.
Instrumental Music is back in full swing preparing for the Bingo Night performances next Saturday! All of the students are working hard to perfect their performances and we hope to see you all at the event. Semester 2 also welcomes a number of new students to the instrumental program and existing beginners moving into one or more ensembles. In all cases students have been enthusiastic and keen to explore their own skills within our program.
CREATIVE GENERATION
Our CGEN team have been busily rehearsing throughout the holidays, finalising their vocal numbers and dance items. Our dance and musical theatre cast participated in two blocking days at the start of the holidays, while our vocalist got ready with sound checks. This has culminated with shows this week July 13th - 15th at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. All students and staff involved are excited, and looking forward to the shows. Photos of the show will be in the next newsletter, as well as on our school social media.
SHOWCASE
Showcase preparations are well underway and all of our student performers should now know what items they will be in. Permission forms and information letters will be going home by the end of week 2. A list of important dates and rehearsals can also be found below. Remember to put October 13th in your calendar for our annual Showcase event!
IMPORTANT DATES:
Saturday 26th August DANCE rehearsal 8am - 12pm
Thursday 7th September FINALE rehearsal 3pm - 5pm
Thursday 5th October TECH RUN 3pm - 5pm
Saturday 7th October FULL CAST rehearsal 8am - 12pm
Thursday 12th October REHEARSAL TBC 3pm - 5pm
Friday 13th October DRESS REHEARSAL 8.45am - 2.45pm
Friday 13th October SHOWCASE! Doors open at 5.30pm for a 6pm start
BINGO NIGHT
The RVSSC P&C and Music Department are teaming up for an exciting new event in week 2 this term!
Christmas in July Bingo Night.
Tickets include 15 games of bingo, 1 dabber and table savoury/sweet platters.
The Vocal Ensemble, Stage Band and other small music groups will be performing throughout the night for your entertainment, with funds going towards performance uniforms for these music groups.
Dress up, decorate your table and enjoy a night of drinks, bingo, music and laughs!
CERTIFICATE COURSES
Next year we are introducing the Certificate II in Dance! This pathway qualification provides individuals technical skills and knowledge to prepare for work in the live performance industry. The qualification is designed for those with a foundational level of lyrical, jazz or ballet dance techniques. Students may have experience in amateur performances, community events, or have attended dance classes. They will be at the beginning of their career developing performance skills in various genres with job prospects as a trainee dance performer in the industry. The Certificate II in Dance will have a large focus on practical skills and some theoretical knowledge in a defined context. Students will incorporate artistic expression and expressive techniques in performances for audiences. All students completing this Certificate will be required to perform live at eisteddfods as a representative team for RVSSC. For more information about this new subject, please email Miss Doorley at ddoor4@eq.edu.au
In 2024, we will be introducing the Certificate III Community Dance, Theatre and Events. It is a flexible arts subject that covers a broad range of jobs and skills in the creative industries. This certificate covers Dance, Music and Drama at an industry level and the course is tailored to the individual.
Students may dance, sing, act, compose music, play an instrument, write scripts, design lighting, sound or sets; choreograph or direct. Students will hone their chosen craft, while working together on performance events. Students will be responsible for the creation, ticketing and marketing of their annual event. This may be a showcase of their combined skills, a play, a charity fundraising performance or a musical. From the budgeting and costuming to the food and venue, the possibilities for their events are endless.
Each cohort of students makes these choices with the guidance of their teacher and through experiences with outside industry professionals. Through this course, students grow as individual entrepreneurial artists while learning to work collaboratively on events.
The skills gained in their own craft, knowledge of event management and networking make this certificate a great choice for any student looking to turn their passion for performance into transferable and employable skills. For more information about this new subject, please email Miss O'Neill at
EXTRA - CURRICULAR
We offer many extra-curricular groups in the Performing Arts across Dance, Drama, Music and Instrumental Music. Students enter these groups via audition. For those students who may have an interest in the Performing Arts but are not quite ready to trial for a team, we will be offering fun "come and try" activities across the Term at lunch times. Keep an eye on notices for these events.
Below is a copy of our extra-curricular training schedule.
Jessica Starkey
Head of Department - Performing Arts
Head of Year 7E to 7H
