Drama

Engadine students shine in Matilda Jnr, The Musical

Students at St John Bosco Catholic Primary School Engadine have stretched their creative muscles in their first performance of much-loved production Matilda Jnr, The Musical.

Based on Roald Dahl’s classic novel, it sees an exceptional five-year old triumph over uncaring parents and an unpleasant school headmistress with imagination, resilience, and intelligence help her

More than 100 students are involved in the production, with students lending their talent as actors, singers, dancers, stagehands for props and backdrop, and curtain crew.

Lottie Wilson, in Year 4, plays the lead role of Matilda. Her audition surprised teachers who had no idea she could sing.

“When I sang the teachers said they were really shocked by my voice,” she said.

“I really like playing Matilda because she is a strong character, and she stands up for herself.” – Lottie Wilson

“It’s a really fun experience to work with other people and interesting to see what they can do.”

Year 5 student Maeve Bishop has found her assertive side while preparing for her role as Miss Trunchbull.

“I get told a lot to be fiercer!” Maeve said.

“She [Miss Trunchbull] is headmistress in Matilda’s school and she is very mean to all the kids. I like to play her character because she has some really funny moments.”

Acting Principal Mark Abad said the musical was just one opportunity in the school’s rich creative arts program that allows students to nurture and explore their creative talents.

It is the third musical the school has rehearsed since 2019 and the second one staged (the school’s 2021 offering, High School Musical, was cancelled due to COVID).

“At St John Bosco we value the creative arts, recognising it as a …

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauSeptember 13, 2023|

Nurture your child’s inner performer

Sebastian Youseff dreams of being a famous actor.

There are loads of course pathways he could have followed to land his dream career.

With the hope of one day establishing a career as an actor, he chose a Performing Arts ATAR pathway at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood.

Sebastian (pictured right) said he loved that the College allowed him to tap into his creative side.

“I want to go to NYU Tisch School of the Arts,” Sebastian explained. “If not Tisch, then NIDA or WAAPA (the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts).”

As a first step he is undertaking senior Stage 6 Drama and to complement his passion for the Performing Arts he is also about to complete a Certificate III in Screen and Media at Southern Cross, Sydney Catholic Schools’ only specialist performing arts college.

His passion for acting was sparked two years ago when he watched ‘The Lighthouse’.

“I thought that was great and joined The Art Umbrella (School of Performing Arts),” Sebastian, who is now in Year 11, said.

“There’s nothing better than doing a good performance, and people saying you were great!”

The journey to stardom

Southern Cross is now holding auditions for its 2023 Performing Arts stream.

Located in the inner-west of Sydney, Southern Cross is offering full-time and part-time enrolments in Years 9 to Year 12 as part of its “Ignite Your Passion” initiative.

“The Performing Arts stream provides a specialist pathway for gifted and talented students with experience in, and …

Isabell PetrinicSeptember 20, 2022|

2023 Performing Arts Auditions: Start your journey to stardom

Want to see your name in lights? Southern Cross Burwood will soon hold auditions for its 2023 Performing Arts stream.

Southern Cross Catholic College is offering full-time and part-time enrolments in Years 9 to Year 12 as part of its “Ignite Your Passion” initiative.

The Performing Arts stream provides a specialist pathway for talented performers with experience in, and a passion for, Dance, Drama and Music to get a foot in the door of their dream job before graduating.

Students have access to state-of-the art facilities and industry specific equipment to succeed, including a recently upgraded dance studio, 400-seat auditorium, dedicated recording studio and control room, green screen room (pictured right), music and drama studios.

All the programs are led by industry experts.

World at her feet

Year 12 student Madeline Safar (or Maddy, as she’s affectionately known) is pursuing a Performing Arts ATAR pathway at the College.

Studying a Certificate III in Community, Dance Theatre and Events has allowed her to follow all her passions and she has already secured her place as a full time student at Sydney performing arts academy ED5 International next year.

Maddy is pictured in the College auditorium. Photo: David Swift

The Certificate III lays the foundations for stricter dance training in her future pathway at ED5 International. There she will come out with an Advanced Diploma after two years, ready to see her name in lights.

Not that Maddy has been resting on her laurels.

She recently performed in the first Sydney Archdiocesan musical, Fame Jr., and she has performed in Grease The Musical mass ensemble at Qudos Bank Arena and in Wizard of Oz mass ensemble, …

Isabell PetrinicJuly 11, 2022|

Eisteddfod 2022: The results are in…

Over the past six weeks, Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) has showcased the amazing talents of its performing arts students at SCS’ second annual Eisteddfod. Today on World Music Day (21 June) we announce the winners.

During the 2022 festival more than 1,229 entries from 116 schools competed in over 53 solo and ensemble events in Instrumental, Drama, Dance and Vocal.

Now the ensemble winners are preparing to dazzle audiences at SCS’ first ever Eisteddfod Showcase on 23-24 June.

“We have been so impressed by the number of entries wowing our audiences at every event,” said Eva Spata, SCS’ supervisor in the creative and performing arts.

“I can’t wait to see what next year brings!” – Eva Spata

This year’s Eisteddfod entrants were judged by an array of internationally renowned luminaries including Opera Australia’s Simon Kenway.

A highly respected orchestral/operatic conductor, music educator and accompanist, Kenway was the Musical Director for the first working draft of Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed musical romance, Moulin Rouge.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…

Click below for the full list of 2022 SCS Eisteddfod place-getters. EISTEDDFOD RESULTS 2022

The highest scoring school across all events will be crowned at the inaugural Eisteddfod Showcase. Watch this space to find out who has won the 2022 perpetual trophy!

ABOUT THE SHOWCASE

The 2022 Eisteddfod Showcase will be held over two days – Thursday 23 June and Friday 24 June – from 7pm to 9.30pm at Southern Cross Catholic College, 17 Comer Street, Burwood.

Day 1 will feature the first place winners in: Rock Bands, Contemporary Music Ensembles, Drama Groups, Dance Groups and Large Choral …

AdminJune 21, 2022|

Eisteddfod 2022: What to expect

Sydney Catholic Schools’ second annual Eisteddfod takes centre stage from Friday, 20 May 2022.

During the festival students from 116 schools will compete in more than 53 solo and ensemble events in Instrumental, Drama, Dance and Choir. And, for the first time, selected winners will be invited to perform in an Eisteddfod Showcase.

Sydney Catholic Schools has also announced additional competition dates in 2022, adding two more weeks to the Eisteddfod calendar.

This year the Eisteddfod will run for six weeks until 24 June on Fridays and Saturdays.

“It’s a very exciting time to be a young performer in a Sydney Catholic school,” Sydney Catholic Schools’ Supervisor in the creative and performing arts, Eva Spata, said.

AT A GLANCE

292 – Piano Solos Entries

281 – Dance Entries – Solos & Ensembles

387 – Vocal Entries – Solos & Ensembles

180 – Instrumental Entries – Solos & Ensembles

89 – Drama Entries – Solos & Ensembles

Most performances will be held at Sydney Catholic Schools’ dedicated performing arts high school, Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood.

Marist College Eastwood will host Instrumental Ensembles on Friday, 10 June, and Choir Ensembles will be held at Marist College Penshurst on Friday, 17 June.

EISTEDDFOD SCHEDULE

The 2022 Eisteddfod covers the following categories:

Friday, 20 May: Rock and Contemporary Bands
Saturday, 21 May: Instrumental and Piano Solo
Friday, 27 May: Drama Groups
Saturday, 18 May: Drama and Vocal Solos
Friday, 3 June: Dance Groups
Saturday, 4 June: Dance Solos
Friday, …

Isabell PetrinicMay 19, 2022|

2021 HSC Virtual Showcase: Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) celebrates the final selection of students who have been included in the 2021 HSC Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts Showcases.

Following a rigorous selection process by an experienced panel, 72 students were selected in the showcases after demonstrating outstanding talent in creative and performing arts. Click here to view the showcase selection list

These students were selected from 173 nominations submitted by schools for exemplary work in their practical components of the HSC courses.

The HSC Creative & Performing Arts Showcases provide a professional platform to celebrate exemplary students of Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Arts while also serving as a benchmark of excellence for younger emerging talent.

Although the showcases were planned to be unveiled in a series of in-person events, COVID disruptions mean that this year they will be presented virtually.

https://vimeo.com/694170049/21d437958f Click here to view the performing arts program Click here to view the Visual Arts Showcase Click here to view the visual arts program

Eva Spata, Supervisor: Creative & Performing Arts at SCS, praised the cohort for producing some exceptional artistic pieces in what was a difficult year for students.

“Congratulations to the students who have been included in the showcases as well as those who were nominated by their schools,” Ms Spata said.

“This has been a challenging time for all students, particularly those completing the HSC but we were extremely impressed with what our students submitted” – Eva Spata

“The showcases are a wonderful way to celebrate their tenacity, commitment and talent,” Ms Spata added.

domenictrimboli01March 31, 2022|

Revealed: Lockdown Arts Festival Winners

We’re excited to share with you the winners of Sydney Catholic Schools’ Lockdown Arts Festival.

Themed Looking outwards from a life in lockdown, the festival celebrates the joy, creativity, optimism and resilience of our Sydney Catholic Schools’ community during the pandemic.

Launched during lockdown, our Sydney Catholic Schools’ students, families and staff submitted more than 900 creative works showcasing their incredible creative talent.

Please CLICK ON THE CATEGORY NAMES BELOW to see, hear and read the amazing works of all our category winners and highly commended artists.

Dance

CONTEMPORARY Classical

Visual Arts

Painting and Drawing Photography Sculptural

Monologue/Duologue Scenes from a Play

Literature

Poem Short Story

Music

Original Composition Performance

Congratulations to all of our winners and participants. You really have done us proud!

AdminNovember 10, 2021|

Online HSC Masterclass a big hit

More than 500 creative and performing arts students and teachers from Catholic dioceses across NSW took part in Sydney Catholic Schools’ inaugural four-day Arts Virtual Masterclass.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ creative and performing arts specialist, Eva Spata, said the HSC exam preparation courses were taken online due to the current COVID-19 climate.

According to Ms Spata, the online program was a resounding success and will be repeated in 2022.

“We look forward to providing these again next year!” – Eva Spata

“We have decided that every September holiday the masterclasses will be on zoom, rather than face to face,” said Ms Spata.

Online HSC Arts Masterclass

“With the current conditions, the ability to provide them virtually meant that we could share with our counterparts across the state,” Ms Spata said.

“We were fortunate to have industry experts and arts practitioners delivering each workshop, to prepare our HSC students.”

These included literacy consultant Dr Trish Weekes who delivered a workshop on HSC Music 1 aural exam and Sydney Catholic Schools’ education officer Mary-Anne Boutros who delivered a workshop on the HSC Visual Arts written exam.

Indigenous Australian dancer, television presenter and choreographer of Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Terrain, Francis Rings, was among the workshop facilitators for the HSC Dance written exams.

“It has been a marathon for our Drama students, covering six plays,” said Ms Spata.

The facilitators were:

Illuminate Educate’s Anne Wilson (presented on Neighbourhood Watch by Lally Katz)
Laurence Coy (presented on Norm and …

AdminOctober 5, 2021|

Drum roll please for … SCS’ Eisteddfod results

Over the past four weeks, Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) has showcased the amazing talents of its performing arts students at SCS’ inaugural Eisteddfod. Today on World Music Day (21 June) we announce the winners.

The Eisteddfod was held over four Fridays at SCS’ first dedicated performing arts college, Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood, where students competed in more than 400 solo and ensemble instrumental, drama, dance and choir performances.

The performances were judged by an array of internationally renowned luminaries including award-winning vocal artist, dancer and actress, Rachel Beck. Beck has a long spanning career performing in stage and television productions, including Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables, Home and Away and Hey Dad.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ specialist in the creative arts, Eva Spata, said the events were an opportunity to recognise and celebrate students’ performance skills in a supportive environment.

“Our Arts Team has been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from schools over the past few weeks,” Ms Spata exclaimed.

“We have seen such amazing talent up on stage day after day, and we are excited that the arts are well and truly alive and thriving in our schools!” – Eva Spata

“What an honour it has been to be entertained by our amazing students,” said Ms Spata. “We can’t wait for next year’s event – it will be even bigger and better!”

READ MORE ON THE ARTS:

AdminJune 21, 2021|

Sydney Catholic Schools’ first Eisteddfod

Students from 92 schools will grace the stage in more than 400 solo and ensemble instrumental, drama, dance and choir performances, as part of Sydney Catholic Schools’ first Eisteddfod.

The Eisteddfod will be held over four Fridays at Sydney Catholic Schools’ first dedicated performing arts college, Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood, starting on 28 May.

Points will be awarded for each place, certificate and participation. The school with the highest point score will become the inaugural champion and receive a perpetual trophy.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ specialist in the creative arts, Eva Spata, said the events were an opportunity to recognise and celebrate students’ performance skills in a supportive environment.

“Every opportunity to perform develops students’ confidence and self-belief” – Eva Spata

Music mavens: Marist Catholic College North Shore students Michael DeWit, Aleena Wiratunga, Jayden Wood, Poppy Douglass and Jasmine Franks will perform in the junior ensemble category of Sydney Catholic Schools’ first eisteddfod. Photo: Natalie Roberts

“Students will receive feedback from industry professionals, and this will help them refine their skills for future performances,” Ms Spata said.

“This is an opportunity for schools to show others what is part of the fabric of their own arts experience, broadening their audiences.

“It can also be inspiring for students to see their peers perform a different repertoire that they may not have experienced before.”

Marist Catholic College North Shore Year 7 student and trombone player Jayden Wood is part of an ensemble that will perform 60’s hits at the first of the eisteddfods.

“It’s fun to do performances for …

jaderamirezsydcatholiceduauMay 27, 2021|

Engadine students shine in Matilda Jnr, The Musical

Nurture your child’s inner performer

Sebastian Youseff dreams of being a famous actor.

The journey to stardom

2023 Performing Arts Auditions: Start your journey to stardom

World at her feet

Eisteddfod 2022: The results are in…

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…

ABOUT THE SHOWCASE

Eisteddfod 2022: What to expect

AT A GLANCE

EISTEDDFOD SCHEDULE

2021 HSC Virtual Showcase: Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts

Revealed: Lockdown Arts Festival Winners

Dance

Visual Arts

Drama

Literature

Music

Congratulations to all of our winners and participants. You really have done us proud!

Online HSC Masterclass a big hit

Drum roll please for … SCS’ Eisteddfod results

Sydney Catholic Schools’ first Eisteddfod

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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