Memory is a funny thing isn’t it, one minute you’re happily sitting in aisle D seat 51 at the Griffith Regional Theatre in 2016 and next minute, the music swirls around you and suddenly I’m back at Tulloch Lodge, Wagga Wagga, an off campus student accomodation unit run by Student Services at RCAE (Riverina College of Advanced Education) before it grew into a University. It’s 1978, and the music of Grease and the dance moves seem to occupy all of our time outside of study and drinking. We knew every lyric, dance move and had ourselves choreographed to dance (and sing) every part the building at any time of the day or night, we had even created dance moves for the grand double staircase. Grease filled our lives, it connected us and made that first year of college easier and more alive. It was also a musical for our time, the sexual awakening and taboo subjects of the early sixties were brought to stark attention in sharp script for film that had a PG rating at the time.
Step forward from 1978 to 2016, and here we have a Catholic High School, once again stepping up and out on these bold subjects and not glossing over them. Marian College students and the educator team, have placed before us “Grease”, and bring to life Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenickie, Doody, Sonny, Putzie, Frenchy, and the even Vince Fontaine. The cast do an outstanding job as a well rehearsed ensemble to bring the biggest smile to your dial, so big that at times tears rolled down my cheeks.
School is about a lot of things, we mostly think its about learning stuff, the reality is about learning who you are, who you aren’t and it also allows you to discover things about yourself and what you can do that you never really knew. We often never see this when we are in the moment, but time allows us to reflect back and we can see those sparks of knowing that rose up for periods of time.
The creative and expressive side of us, is the one of the important links often given less attention in our high school years. The focus on Literacy, Math, Science and sport often taking the limelight and being seen as critical to success in future years. Drama, Music and Art are often relegated to the side and seen as less critical to our future. However, our story as humans, from as far back as the beginning of the Dreaming, through the Songlines of our first nation people and through the stories that tell the journey of modern civilisation from the Sumarians to now, is told through song, dance, story, art and imaginings created by and presented by artists. Creative spirits give voice to who we are and how we see ourselves, so it is with this focus that Marian Catholic College and its education faculty, continue to give this a place of significance every couple of years to t’s expressive self.
Continuing the tradition of the big musical, that for me started under Mechelle Anderson and Make me a Star, a home grown effort that gave opportunity for talent to shine. With the return of Don Hillam to Griffith and in particular to Marian College, we had the promise of his experience in musical theatre and cabaret in Wagga Wagga over many years, being brought to the drama team at the High School. From Fame, The Whiz and now Grease, Don Hillam and his magical team, have not disappointed. He spirited us back to California 1959 and Rydell High School and also to our own pasts.
The set and use of the stage, tells us the guy behind the wheel knows about theatre and how to make it tell your story. His cast is big, choreographed and can sing. His Rizzo, well what a voice, and his Danny and Sandy are well matched in voice, quality and voice, the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds bring the comedy, chorus and also the big issues of the day to the fore. The ensemble behind them, well what more could you ask for.
Once again the use of a live band, this time sitting high above the stage, really tell us this school is nurturing a range of talent and creative elements. It’s a very classy band, tight, on time and well orchestrated, they shine bright, but never overpower the voices of the cast. In other productions there have always been standout voices, strong and vibrant, sometimes they outshone other cast. Tonight though, the voice of Rizzo really matched the character, as it should, the rest of the cast sang their hearts out, but didn’t over power each other, to me it was maybe the first time that attention had been given to really having voices that blended and matched each of the characters.
We are blessed in many ways, given the world and the troubles that impact on peoples lives and happiness can seem so far away. We have schools in our community that make the effort to go that extra mile so that outstanding moments like tonight can seem commonplace or expected. It’s not, its hard work, tonight is an outcome of educators, facilitators of learning and enquiry showing what is possible when support is given in all facets of a students life. Tonight we saw how literacy, maths, and science manifest themselves through creativity. This is an example of the fundamentals of learning telling our story through art. It’s a powerful reminder of what makes teachers really want to do this job, this is inspiring and humbling.
Congratulations to the faculty and leadership team at Marian Catholic College, the families and especially those inspired young people who stepped up on the stage and into the limelight, its a brilliant show and you should feel immensely proud of the value of this production, how it looks, sounds and feels. Powerful beyond words.
No comments:
Post a Comment