Drama

At CCGS everyone can get involved in Drama, whether it's for fun, personal development, academic study, or to develop skills to audition for our highly successful range of performance opportunities, including:

  • Junior School production for Year 6
  • Senior Drama production for Years 10 to 11
  • Senior school musical production for Years 7 to 11.

Drama creates opportunities for students to explore interests and passions, to understand and appreciate the world around them in a physical and social form.

There are drama clubs offered from Year 1 to Year 8. Drama is an elective in Years 9, 10 and 11 and a course choice at HSC.

Past students are actively involved in our arts community and often return as mentors and contributors to school productions and showcase events.

Killer Queen lead role in We Will Rock You
Hazel Hunt (centred) takes on lead role as 'Killer Queen' in the senior school musical production, We Will Rock You.

Students have every opportunity to become accomplished performers in the professional environment of our state of the art Performing Arts Centre (PAC).

The PAC houses a 750 seat auditorium with professional stage, sound and lighting equipment and hydraulic orchestra pit. A dedicated drama studio is used by students from K to 12 for teaching, clubs and rehearsals. It's a large space adjacent to the stage that doubles as a professional green room and it's equipped with integrated theatre lighting, a wardrobe and prop store, staging blocks and mirrors.

Junior Drama

After school drama clubs for Years 1 to 2 and Years 3 to 5 teach the skills of staging, blocking, characterisation, vocal skills, physical skills, collaboration, storytelling, creative thinking and visualising ideas. Each semester ends with a mini-showcase in the drama studio.

Year 6 students perform in the Junior Musical Production
Year 6 students perform in the Junior School production of Madagascar - A Musical Adventure JR. in the CCGS Performing Arts Centre.

Year 6 work on the junior production for three terms and meet for two hours after school every week in the run up to the performance. There are roles for singers, musicians, actors and dancers with auditions for lead roles. Over 90% of the grade are on stage, with behind the scenes roles for others like follow-spot operator or set construction.

Recent hits have included Madagascar - A Musical JR.Shrek The Musical JR, Annie JR., Robin Hood, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Ali Baba and Bongo Bandits and Under the Sea: The Adventures of the Little Mermaid.

Senior Drama

After school drama club for Years 7 to 8 is available for any student considering elective Drama in later years. It offers a fun and friendly pathway to developing core drama skills, stage confidence and theatrical staging techniques. Drama elective courses are offered for Years 9 to 12.

Additionally, there's an annual senior musical production open to Years 7 to 11 by audition, with approximately 100 students involved during Terms 1 to 3. There are roles for actors, singers and dancers from lead to ensemble, or behind the scenes roles in the technical team including hair and make up, set construction and stage crew. Live music is provided by the students and Music staff and recent hits have included OIiver, Wicked, Jesus Christ Superstar and We Will Rock You!

We Will Rock You Cast
Senior students perform in the senior school musical production of We Will Rock You in the CCGS Performing Arts Centre

A smaller group of students whose focus is purely acting get involved in an annual Senior Drama Production during Terms 4 and 1. There are roles for actors and assistant directors selected by audition, plus behind the scenes roles in technical support, costume, hair and make-up. Recent hits have included Macbrecht, The Real Inspector Hound, The Great Gatsby, Sherlock Holmes and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

Senior College students performing on stage in Macbrecht
Senior College students performing in the Senior Drama Production of Macbrecht in the CCGS Performing Arts Centre

 

The transferable skills that are taught and nurtured in drama benefit students across all pathways beyond school. Self-confidence, accountability, collaboration and a sense of creative ownership are all lifelong skills that make drama both enjoyable and useful beyond the classroom. Lee Fleming, CCGS Director of Performing Arts