We recognise our Highland dancers in an assembly as auditions for senior production Grimm Tales continue and our Drama students get out and about in the Christchurch theatre scene.

Highland Dance excellence

Our SMC Highland Dancers Ashley Marfell, Abby Smith and Olivia Marfell performed for the school last week in assembly and were presented the trophy they gained for Innovation from the Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand by Mrs Patchett.

Speech & Drama: pleasing results

We congratulate the following girls who have achieved Distinction, Honours or Honours Plus in their Speech and Drama exams at the end of 2018. The girls were congratulated by Mrs Patchett at last week’s assembly. Special congratulations go to Olivia Hubber who has achieved her ATCL (pictured.) A full list of all achievements is attached.

SMC Co-Curricular Arts groups

Most of our school groups are now underway and there’s a buzz in the air as musicians, dancers, debaters, and actors get together to learn, share, play, practise, devise and create. For information please see our website or contact our Arts Facilitator Mary Davison mary.davison@stmargarets.school.nz.

Drama Opportunities in 2019

We have several groups up and running for co-curricular Drama. Everyone is welcome - just come along and join in the fun:

Middle School Drama Club Years 7 - 10 Mondays 3.30 - 4.45 in WN203 - run by our Heads of Drama Cara Donaldson, Sam Capon and senior Drama students. Drama games and getting to know each other. Building confidence and making friendships.

Middle School Theatre Sports Years 7-10 Fridays P5 Lunchtime WN203 - no experience needed, all welcome. Run by senior Drama students.

Senior School Theatre Sports Years 11 - 13 Friday 3.30 - 4.45 WN207 - run by student Head of Arts Kaitlin Burden. All welcome!

Theatresports with Court Jesters

Senior Theatre Sports girls were excited to welcome Court Jester Gabby Wakefield who will be running Theatre Sports workshops on a Friday from 3.45 - 4.45 for our team over the next four weeks. The girls really enjoyed this opportunity and had loads of fun with Gabby developing their improvisational skills in preparation for the inter-school competition at the end of the year. Anyone from Year 11 - 13 is welcome, so even if you missed the first week you are welcome to join next week.

Physical Theatre Workshops

This week the Year 11 Drama NCEA classes begin a week of workshopping with guest tutor Alys Hill from the ZenZenZo Theatre Company. The classes will explore approaches to physical theatre which will assist them in their preparation for assessment at the end of the term. The girls enjoyed reflecting on this production and could see many elements that helped them with their learning in their own devising work. It is always a pleasure to have Alys in to work with our students and we thank her for her energy, enthusiasm, and expertise.

Middle School Drama Group

Our Middle School Drama Group started up this week. It runs on Mondays from 3.45 - 4.45pm in WN203. This is a fun group where students from Years 7 - 10 are welcome. It is run by our student Heads of Drama Cara Donaldson and Sam Capon along with other senior Drama students and the focus is on building friendships, playing Drama games and making connections across Years 7-10.

Earthquakes and Butterflies

Over 100 Senior Drama students gathered at the Transitional Cathedral last Friday, the 8th anniversary of the Canterbury earthquakes, to see this production based on the novel by Kathleen Gallagher. This year's version has been reworked, edited and directed by Martin Howells, with physical score reworked by Christchurch choreographer Fleur de Thier. Human stories weave through the piece, which is underscored by live taonga puoro and violin as well as recorded tracks. The girls enjoyed reflecting on this production and could see many elements that helped them with their learning in their own devising work. It was lovely to go to the theatre together as a big Drama Family!

The Ugly Shakespeare Company

March 7th Year 9-13 students will enjoy a performance of The Taming of the Shrew in our Charles Luney Auditorium. The question of whether this play is misogynistic or not has become the subject of considerable controversy, particularly among modern scholars, audiences, and readers. The Ugly Shakespeare's all-woman team takes this challenge head-on, unpacking the script and bringing their own hilarious, fast-paced and Uglyfied version of this great play. Show from 6-7pm.

Music in the Quad

Our student Art Council has organised this new initiative bringing the arts onto our campus with performances in the quad to put a smile on our faces at lunchtime. First up last week was Billie Leiataua who sang an eclectic range of songs showcasing her stunning voice. She was joined by Nat Hutton towards the end, and, after insistence from the crowd, Georgia Benny hopped up to sing. All three girls are proficient vocalists and we all enjoyed their music in the sun.

Grimm Tales auditions

The Performing Arts corridors have been a-buzz with girls auditioning for our senior production for this year which will be in the Charles Luney Auditorium on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of July. The dancers have already been selected and names are up on the arts noticeboard. This week and next there will be auditions held for the acting cast.

Middle School Production 2019

There will be a Middle School Production for Year 7-10 girls in Term 3. More information to come!