Performing Arts

Since the inception of Damascus College in 1995, the performing arts staff have worked hard to instil a love of performance within our students. We are proud of our achievements and are indeed lucky to have so many staff at Damascus with an interest, background and passion for theatre and who recognise its special power to create confidence, discipline and pride within students of all year levels.

So why do it? The answer always lies in the power of that curtain call on a final night. Watching our

students so alive, so energised. To see them radiate from within, knowing that they have grown through this experience, have travelled the difficult journey and reached the final destination, and now stand proud in the warm glow of appreciation.

Looking at those faces .... at that moment .... is enough to make it all worthwhile.

RECENT EVENTS

The recent curriculum showcase evening provided students with an opportunity to present the culmination of their efforts within the curriculum to families and friends. The night highlighted some of the great solo and ensemble work that is happening in Music and Drama at the College. Congratulations to the following students who presented their items at the Curriculum Showcase :

Melanie Leonard, Nicholas Leslie, Astrid Lendfers, Larissa Johnstone, Alexandra McClaren, Sasha Hill, Emily Raisenbeck, Amy Older, Jake Farnsworth, Oscar Zang, Zoe Gallo, Casey Bragg, Tim Corrigan, Shelby Sherrit, Paige Harris, Emily McGuigan, Ashleigh Norman, Matt Westlake, Danielle White, Sarah-Jo Seeary, Lachlan England, Andrew Guiane-Foley, Rachelle Robson, Chloe Pearson, Caitlin Searle, Emmaly Smith, Abbey Bertram, Zachary Kazepis, Joseph Lambeth, Oscar Zang, Jason Blood, Riley Green, Luc McKenzie, Jimi Von Burg, Giselle Fradd, Lachlan Kent, Emily Green, Tessa Marshall, Melanie Leonard, Nicholas Leslie, Astrid Lendfers and Larissa Johnstone.

During July, Damascus College Performing Arts presented William Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The play revealed a story of lover’s lives being complicated by ancient law, feuding fairies, amateur theatre at its most hilarious, family, loyalty and love.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

Click here for the show website

PERFORMING ARTS NEWSLETTERS

You can obtain a hard copy of this performing arts newsletter by clicking on the printer icon (top left of newsletter). Otherwise, you can move the toolbar slider on the right hand side to view various pages or by clicking on arrow icons. You can also click on the "+" and "-" icons to zoom.

Issue No. 1 - February 11th 2009
Issue No. 2 - February 18th 2009
Issue No. 3 - February 25th 2009
Issue No. 4 - March 4th 2009
Issue No. 5 - March 25th 2009
Issue No. 6 - April 22nd 2009
Issue No 7 - May 3rd 2009
Issue No 8 - May 19th 2009
Issue No 9 - June 1st 2009
Issue No 10 - June 16th 2009
Issue No 11 - June 24th 2009
Issue No 12 - July 13th 2009
Issue No 13 - August 3rd 2009
Issue No 14 - August 17th 2009
Issue No 15 - August 31st 2009
Issue No 16 - September 16th 2009
Issue No 17 - October 12th 2009
Issue No 18 - October 27th 2009
Issue No 19 - November 17th 2009

RECENT PRODUCTIONS : THE FINAL HOURS - 10th Season

FINAL HOURS

Click here to read more about THE FINAL HOURS

CREATION OF PERFORMANCE

The study of Drama at the College has always focused on the creation of performance, so it was not surprising that our early productions were original in both writing and design. In 1996, the students with Andrew Seeary, combined to conceive what would be the College’s first straight play Children of the Dust. After the success of this production, which operated on a shoestring budget, plans to try something bigger emerged. The result, after a complete renovation of the Auditorium, installation of technical equipment, a year of rewrites, design, composing, building and six months of rehearsals, was Animal Farm. Since Children of the Dust and Animal Farm the College has become recognised for the quality of its recent productions such as Sunrise Sunset, Little Shop of Horrors and Foreigners from Home.

Cosi Production 2007

SCHOOL SHOWCASES

These are designed to give the maximum performance opportunities to those studying Drama and Music within the curriculum.

Friends and families of the College are invited to enjoy the talents of our students at key times throughout the year.

V.C.E. STUDENTS

Our performance students have been regularly recognised by independent assessors as outstanding. Our students have featured in Top Act and Top Class Performances in Melbourne, events designed to showcase the best the state has to offer.

SCHOOL MUSICALS

During 2003 the school produced its first junior musical Henry which confirmed that the love of performance is alive and well on both campuses.

The College’s first full school musical “FAME” drew together the many elements of design, music, dance and drama. A talented amalgam of staff, former students, community members and industry professionals freely gave up their time to support Year 7-12 students to learn a myriad of new skills to help this production shine. Our 2004 production of FAME was chosen by our creative team as an exciting vehicle to reflect the drive, talent and determination of the young people at Damascus College Ballarat. The staging at “Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat” before capacity audiences proudly showcased Damascus College Performing Arts to the wider Ballarat community.

In 2006 the College presented 'Seussical'. Based on the beloved characters and stories of Dr. Seuss, this musical followed the adventures of Horton, an elephant who one day heard voices coming from a speck of dust. He soon discovered that within this tiny speck exists the smallest planet in the universe and upon this tiny planet, lived a tiny race of creatures known as Whos.

In 2008, the Performing Arts Department proudly travelled down the yellow brick road and presented ‘The Wiz’ at Founders Theatre.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Performance has also featured in many College events such as Liturgies, special openings and assemblies. The innovative use of our department’s skills in our Damascus Day Masses and the biennial passion play The Final Hours are renowned, highlighting, not only our flair for the creative, but the commitment to our school motto to “Live by the light of Christ.”