AT Wellington’s colleges the creative season is in full swing.
Stage Challenge, Rockquest, Shakespeare, and theatre productions are drawing in expressive, innovative and enthusiastic pupils. The intimate nature of Wellington means a top Rockquest singer-songwriter is also playing a lead role in a cross-College production.
But the performances are about more than just those fronting them. Teachers and students alike commit endless hours of practice and rehearsal to bring the events to fruition. In recognition of the time and effort schools put into their burgeoning creative crops, Capital Times has caught up with the latest happenings.
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Wellington High School is in a state of ongoing production insanity.
It all started with the Year 11 production of Metamorphoses. Drama teacher and producer Paul Sullivan created an onstage three by five metre paddling pool for the show.
Sullivan says it took a bit of research to find a durable liner that would allow for students to run, dance, drown, and fight in the pool.  
“After a few nervous hours filling the pool, the result was water tight; not even a fire alarm on opening night could dampen the students’ excitement,” says Sullivan.
The school’s Shakespeare Society Show A Midsummer Night’s Dream has just ended, and was produced and directed by pupils Kiri Olds and Vanessa Cullen.
Next week welcomes the year 13 production of NZ playwright Jean Betts’ Ophelia Thinks Harder. Sullivan says costumes are still being made and he is not planning any construction miracles for the set this time.
Yr 13 Drama is performing Ophelia Thinks Harder, June 14-18
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Wellington Girls’ College pupil Meghan Glue is a bit of a sensation.
The 17 year-old singer/songwriter is in the Rockquest finals and playing the lead role of Mary Magdalene in the joint Wellington Girls’ and Wellington College production of Jesus Christ Superstar.  
Her striking voice has been noted not only at Rockquest – Te Papa also requested her to play for New Zealand Music Month.
“I’ve wanted to play Music Month for so many years now and it was great to get the call [from Te Papa],” she says.
Glue’s style is evolving rapidly as she soaks up pop, jazz, and rock experiences from around the country.
“I love going to folk festivals because I learn so much.”
She has played guitar for ever and messing with open D tuning has her captivated for the moment. Glue is broadening her horizons by playing Mary Magdalene in an upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
“It’s a lot of fun playing Mary, and the whole [production] crew is really upbeat.”
Rockquest regional finals, Town Hall, July 2
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Wellington East Girls College has just emerged from the spectacle of Stage Challenge.
Year 13 pupil Annabelle Topham spent nine months coordinating over 120 pupils to produce an Alice in Wonderland extravaganza. Last week, Capital Times talked with Topham just before the show started at the TSB Arena.
 “Everyone is so hyper and into it because the day has finally come,” she said.
The excited ambience of the event couldn’t be better captured than through the school’s Alice in Wonderland theme.
“I really like the Mad Hatter scene, with the teapots spinning around. It’s very creepy, insane, and visually awesome.”
But there is a message in the madness.
“It relates well to our society’s use of drugs to take the pressure off everyday worries. But that can get out of control, and you can’t escape reality for ever,” says Topham.
Production of the Alice and Wonderland show started in February, and Topham says having 72 dancers meant the choreography was a big challenge.
“Performing it is the most enjoyable part, but with only two choreographers this year, it was amazing we got the job done.”
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Wellington College arts director Kirsty Hazledine says theatre triumphed this year with over 30 students taking part in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.
Patrick Hunn, Julian Chote, Duncan McLachlan, and James Shaw performed a fifteen minute scene from The Tempest to make the national Shakespeare finals, and George Niven won the regional award for Best Student Directed performance.
“Last year the students were more tentative; they became much bolder and braver this year,” says Hazledine.
The Tempest performance is composed and powerful, and Hazledine says the extravagant costumes capture the actors’ enthusiasm.
“The judge commented that their high-energy and physical performance of a drunken shipwreck scene was played exactly the way it should be played, which it rarely is.”
The national Secondary Schools finals take place over Queens Birthday weekend, June 5-7