There’s nothing like pulling a class play together to strengthen the bonds between a group of students who did not know each other at the start of the process.

The Level 2 Drama class started the year with five students new to the school, two international students and one student who had never done Drama ever! Of the 14 members of the class, only 6 had worked together before.

Over a few months, interrupted by the Covid-19 lock down, the class studied the play ‘Shudder’ by Wellington playwright, Pip Hall. They rehearsed the ensemble performance which was about what happens to ordinary people living their lives when an earthquake strikes. 

The play is written as a long prose poem with multiple characters. The actors never leave the stage and as it is an ensemble piece, they play many characters and create many situations. Music was chosen, projected images were sought and gathered, sound effects (an earthquake!) were sourced.

On Monday the 29th of June, the show played to a full house at the Performing Arts Center for the first of two performances. The show was in traverse, with a long stage corridor allowing the audience to be up close on both sides of the corridor. The show was supported by the newly established and excellent tech team who provided the lighting.

Thank you to Andy Walker and Carl Sheehan who trained and supported the lighting tech team, and to all the audience members – staff, parents and friends – who came along.

There are two more productions planned by the Drama Department for this year. Drama Company will perform in early September and the Level 1 Drama class will present their class play in October. Watch this space!