Meet the team, plus some information on events and competitions!

Jade Briggs
Hi everybody! My name is Jade, and I can’t wait to see you all around as one of your 2023 Performing Arts Captains.

The performing arts have always played a huge part in my life, from dancing for 11 years, until my love turned more towards music. I have played the drums for 9 years, trumpet for 7 years, and now have decided to take on learning the cello as my next mission. If you’re ever around in M block, you will likely see me there. This year I’m involved in the school's orchestra, jazz band, and two chamber ensembles, along with taking music as a subject. I am also a member of the 2023 New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds Orchestra, as a percussionist. I have loved being a member of the school ensembles, the atmosphere and sense of community within them is amazing, let alone all of the fantastic opportunities they provide.

As a member of the percussion ensemble that has taken on the chamber music contest, and got through to the regional finals both times over the last two years, I must say that it is such a fun competition to do and by aiming to be a member of the school’s guitar ensemble or percussion ensemble this could be an experience for you.

If you see me around, please feel free to say hi or talk to me/ask me questions about anything to do with music and the performing arts at Waimea!

Josh Last-Harris
Kia ora guys, I’m Josh and I'm excited to be one of your Performing Arts Captains for 2023, working alongside such an amazing talented team. I look forward to getting to know you guys around M Block and seeing what you guys have to offer.

As a Performing Arts Captain I specialise in drama. I have always loved anything performing and arts related and caught the theatre bug in Year 7 when we did Theatre Sports as a module at Waimea Intermediate.

During my time at Waimea College, I have taken part in many performing arts activities on offer. I was one of the supporting cast members in Waimea’s senior production last year, a remake of A Christmas Carol. I am also taking part in Showquest, Sheila Winn Shakespeare Competition, and Theatre Company. I am also helping fellow PFA Captain Nicholas with running Theatre Sports once a week.

I have taken drama as a subject since Year 9 and have enjoyed every minute of it. In Year 10, I even tried my hand at Performing Arts Technology. This year in Drama has started incredibly well. We have a combined Year 12 and 13 class full of amazing talented students and a wonderful new teacher, Mr O’Malley. As of Term 1 we are doing Greek Theatre and I am fortunate enough to be playing Oedipus in Oedipus Rex.

I am looking forward to a fun, memorable, and successful 2023 in the Performing Arts at Waimea College and I am looking forward to seeing you guys out there whether you’re acting in a play, playing an instrument, or giving a dance routine.

Nicholas Etchells
Hello, my name is Nicholas Etchells and I’m proud to be one of your Performing Arts Captains at Waimea College for 2023. I think we have an amazing and talented team around M block this year and I am looking forward to work alongside them as the year goes on. I also look forward to seeing lots of new faces around M block. I’m a Performing Arts Captain that specialises in Drama and PFT (Performing Arts Technology). PFT is all the stuff that goes on backstage to theatre, AKA all the lighting, sound, costume and make up design. I have always been interested in drama and theatre and I’ve been doing it every year since Year 9. I have taken part in many extracurricular productions outside of the subject of drama, such as being the Lighting Director for Waimea Colleges Show Quest performance which we ended up winning first place for the lighting, among many other things.
I was also the stage manager for a handful of duets evenings out in Wakefield with country players and I was also the Lighting Director of Waimea College’s A Christmas Carol. This year I am running Theatre Sports games every Tuesday at Break 2, which I have also been doing for the past two years with two very good friends of mine. This year I will also be doing the lighting design for Waimea Colleges Show Quest performance and assisting with the video wall, I will be participating in the Sheila Winn Shakespeare Competition, and I am the Head of Technology for Waimea College's Theatre Company.

Overall I am really proud to be a Performing Arts Captain this year. I have a real passion for Drama and Theatre and there are so many things to participate in and opportunities to express yourself in M Block. I hope you see you round some time.

Oscar Perrott
Hey, I’m Oscar and I’m super excited to be one of the Waimea College Performing Arts Captains in 2023! I specialise in music, playing guitar and singing, and music is 100% my biggest passion whether I’m playing it or listening to it.

I’ve tried to get involved in as much music as I can over my life, from taking up the piano when I was 6, before turning more to the guitar and my voice from around the age of 10. I also try to dabble in as many other aspects as I can, having performed on bass and drums on occasion as well. This year, you’ll be able to find me singing in a band at Rockquest, playing in the guitar ensemble, composing for the dance competition, Showquest, and popping up in assemblies, school events and “the corner” in the m block quad on Friday lunch times.

I feel incredibly privileged to be able to take on this position and want to do everything I can to get as many people involved in the Performing Arts as possible, especially getting people more engaged and involved in music. I highly encourage anyone who has any questions about any of the performing arts, just wants to have a chat about what they’re doing in their classes, or even just what you’re listening to at the moment, to come and talk to me or any one of our amazing team. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone around the school this year.

Paige Sumner
Hey, I'm Paige and I love music! It is a huge passion of mine and I highly enjoy taking it as a subject at Waimea College as the atmosphere is very relaxed, which makes it the perfect space for creativity to strike. I have been playing guitar, my main instrument, for around 4 years and will continue to play it for as long as I can. It is such a beautiful instrument!

This year, my band Jupiter and I will be participating in Smoke Free Rock Quest for the third time (A New Zealand event where bands/duos/soloists perform original songs and compete against each other). In 2021, we got through to the regional finals and won the People's Choice Award which took us through to nationals. Last year we didn’t get past the heats, but this year we are hoping to get through to the regional finals again! Although if not, we aren’t too bothered as we love the song-writing process and just playing together in class.

I am also hosting a Jam Session this year in M1, Break 2 every Monday. Anyone can come and jam to songs or random chords and make a tune out of them.

Theatre Sports

These are run by your two Performing Arts Captains for Drama, Nick and Josh. We are in M4 at Break 2 every Tuesday. Anyone can come along and play some drama games and build on their acting and drama skills, or they can watch and support. We also have a special guest, Mr O Malley, who comes along occasionally.

Sheila Winn Shakespeare Competition

Sheila Winn Shakespeare Competition is a national theatre competition, where groups get to perform 5-minute or 15-minute scenes from a Shakespearean play of their choice competing with groups from all over the Nelson/Tasman region. Groups who get through to the finals will get to compete with groups all over New Zealand. Waimea College has 5 groups competing in the Sheila Winn Shakespeare Competition.

Theatre Company

Theatre Company is a student-led program founded by Mr O’Malley. Theatre Company is comprised of teams of students, from all year groups, who get together during Monday Break 2 in M4. Currently Theatre Company is brainstorming and planning drama performances, skits, and plays for the rest of the year, with the goal of strengthening the drama department by creating a strong environment where we can all get together, and be creative, while having fun. Not only do we have actors, but we also have writers, directors, a costume team, a tech and lighting team, a marketing team, front of house, and other roles needed for a successful Theatre Company. We can’t wait to create things for you guys to come and watch and join in, so look out for that.