Term 3 is always a vibrant and bustling time in the Performing Arts at OLMC. Students are hard at work rehearsing in their music ensembles, honing their skills and creativity, while also diving into preparations for the M² Junior Production of A Christmas Carol. While we are busy in our ensembles, our classes are filled with energy as we kick off the new semester in drama, dance, and music.
We are in the middle of the VCE and senior subject selection period. We’re excited to offer three engaging strands in the Performing Arts: Theatre Studies (Units 3 and 4), Drama (Units 1 to 4), and Music (Units 1 and 2), including Music Inquiry (Units 3 and 4).
Currently, students in Music Inquiry are starting their Unit 4 Folio projects, which are driven by their personal interests. This year, they’re exploring a variety of styles such as pop, jazz, R&B, movie soundtracks and musical theatre. Each student develops a unique focus, investigating how different pieces of music, genres, and artists have influenced their own creative journeys.
As they analyse their chosen music, students are preparing for performances and compositions, with many works set to be showcased at our Celebration Concert in September. We encourage all students to consider the exciting possibilities that Music Inquiry offers!
Alexa, a gifted pianist in Year 11, is currently immersed in Music Inquiry Unit 4. Her focus revolves around analysing Hans Zimmer's techniques in crafting main themes that intricately capture the essence of characters and the overall ambiance of films. Specifically, she plans to delve into the contrasting approaches to time and place within the main themes of The Dark Knight and Interstellar. Her investigation will explore how composers effectively build tension and achieve release through strategic use of musical elements and repetition.
Another talented music student is Lillian, OLMC Music Captain. Lillian aims to investigate songs from female-led musicals, focusing on character development and journeys. Wicked and Waitress are the two musicals she will be focusing on. These musicals feature catchy melodies and portray female characters proving themselves to society or specific individuals through their compositional elements and devices. Key elements explored include melody, harmony, dynamics, and texture, with songs often culminating in grand, powerful endings as characters grow and understand their journey. Transition, contrast in tone, colour, dynamics, pitch, and texture, as well as repetition of melody, are significant compositional devices influencing the character development depicted in these songs.
Our Units 3 and 4 Theatre Studies students are currently immersed in the fascinating world of monologues, selecting pieces from the VCAA Monologue Exam list. This experience allows them to either perform these monologues as actors/directors or explore their creative talents by designing costumes, props, make-up, sound, lighting or sets. Some of the choices on this year's Monologue list include excerpts from plays such as Hamlet, Bombshells, Fangirls and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. These selections provide students with the opportunity to delve deep into character development, thematic exploration, and creative interpretation. In October, our students will showcase their hard work and creativity by presenting their monologues and designs to a panel of external assessors.
To further enrich their understanding and appreciation of theatre, our students will attend two professional performances this term:
- A Streetcar Named Desire at the Melbourne Theatre Company: An iconic play by Tennessee Williams, renowned for its emotional depth and complex characters.
- Romeo and Julie at Red Stitch Theatre: A modern adaptation that brings a fresh perspective to Shakespeare's classic love story.
These excursions are not only a treat but also an essential component of their preparation for the next School-Assessed Coursework (SAC) and the end-of-year exam. Experiencing these professional productions first-hand provides invaluable insights into acting skills, design, and interpretation.
Our Theatre Studies program offers senior students rich, hands-on learning experiences. By immersing themselves in both performance and design, students gain a holistic understanding of theatre. The subject provides numerous benefits, including:
- Confidence: Performing or presenting designs in front of an audience builds self-assurance.
- Collaborative Skills: Working on productions fosters teamwork and mutual respect.
- Creativity: Students tap into their creative potential, whether they are acting or designing.
- Communication Skills: Clear expression and effective communication are central to theatre and valuable in all aspects of life.
Theatre Studies not only nurtures artistic talent but also prepares students for a wide range of future endeavours by developing essential life skills. We are immensely proud of our Theatre Studies students and eagerly anticipate their continued growth and accomplishments as they progress through Unit 4.