Stage Challenge 2012: Pure as Snow

Well, another Stage Challenge came to a close, well.... other than our thank-you performance next week.  It is always such a busy time around the Performing Arts Suite, so taking a break to blog is a challenge.  Between costumes, make-up and all the forms, we never thought we would get it finished.  But we did.

And I was really proud of the students. 

Kieran Tankersley and Ariane Gleeson ran the show this year, coming up with the concept, choreography, rehearsals, soundtrack, forms, fundraising, you name it, they did it!  Crazy busy.  It has been so good for both girls, not for the credits, but for all the organisational and management skills they have learned along the way.

Along with Travis Brown who helped with choreography and rehearsals, if it was on stage, these 3 had a major hand in it.  Oliver Healy deserves a shout out for his castle and getting the set there.  Cole Garratt and Jasmine Turner were stellar with lighting and backstage work.  Danica Kawana and Alena-Rose Burt were invaluable in rehearsal as well.  The committee worked so hard to get the show on the road.

On the night we took out 4 awards, for Stage Use, Visual Enhancement, Creative Thinking and Storyboard, so we were pleased with the haul.

Our congratulations goes out to Makoura College for their routine about the Christchurch Earthquake and to the overall winners, Wairarapa College for their piece about Antarctica.  It was a proud night to be from the Wairarapa.

Ariane Gleeson as Snow White

Kieran Tankersley as the Evil Queen

Travis and Setty attack Ariane in Rehearsal

Ariane and Travis in Rehearsal

Those under the Queen's Control

The Finale

The final moment

The Model United Nations

Jasmine Turner, Alena-Rose Burt and Travis Brown welcoming the delegates

On Tuesday we played host to the Wairarapa's first Model United Nations, where Year 9 and 10 students researched and represented different countries, campaigning on global issues.  Our students did so well, and held themselves against the others.  Being in a room with such intelligent students was a rush, and a good time was had by all.

But why is this on the Arts Blog you say?  Well, under the umbrella of Cultural Leaders, our group played host and ushered the delegates, looking after the various 'Cultural' groups in the room.  Travis Brown and Alena-Rose Burt welcomed the guests, and Jasmine Turner added our own UN touch by translating the welcome into French.

Jasmine then spent the rest of the day making sure the delegates were watered and looked after.

Thank you so much to the Social Science department, and the Youth UN crew from Wellington for running the day, as well as our wonderful crew for 2012 hosting.

Alena and Jasmine at the end of the day, still smiling.

Wordless Wednesday - Swords and Sunshine

On one of the hottest days of the school year, Salvatore came in to help teach sword fighting to a Year 9 English class, who were studying "Romeo and Juliet".

Echoa Performance Review

The French Dance company with their performance of Echoa was today at school- and was totally amazing!  Exploring sound and movement, their idea was simple, and elegantly put together.  With percussion instruments and dance, they told stories, entertained and were just hysterical.

If you are sitting at home wondering what to do tonight, GO TO ECHOA.  They perform tonight at the school auditorium, and the ticket price has been dropped to $25- well and truly worth the price.  After the show they are unpacking and heading to Te Papa for the rest of the festival season, and it will be a mammoth undertaking to move the large scale set.  (Starts at 7pm, so RUN)

Go..... you will not regret it.

Thanks to Gary, Jo, Wai, Zemira, Barn and Louis for all their hard work today, as well as Carly and the festival crew who put together an amazing performance.  Thanks so much for choosing to perform at Kuranui!