THIS IMAGE AND PAGE 40 , BOTTOM LEFT : YEAR 7 DREAMTIME WORKSHOP
EXAMINACTION – FRASER MAIDEN
EXAMINACTION – LACHLAN SHAW
performance . The project was coordinated by Mr Michael Waugh and also created performance opportunities and workshops for boys in Terms 1 and 2 , allowing them to explore both physical and Indigenous storytelling style and traditions .
Below , two Year 7 boys – Henry Catford and Charlie Cutinelli – give their impressions of the projects .
ERICA TOOK US TO THE DREAMTIME
We were a group of around 20 Year 7 boys keen to be part of the Year 7 Drama program , and Erica was an Aboriginal Elder and radio broadcaster ( from 3KND ). She had lots of children ’ s stories to tell us about Indigenous culture and country . It was really special to be told these stories by someone who has had them passed down to her , generation after generation .
Then , Alya Manzart ( Chunky Moves dancer and Victorian College of the Arts dance teacher ) taught us how to move .
Alya is a dancer and a specialist in physical theatre . He taught us how to make our bodies go onto three different levels – high , medium and low – because some characters are elegant and tall , while others slink around low . He also taught us how to move at different speeds , because some characters move quickly , but others might be carrying lots and have to move slowly . We did forward and backward rolls to get around the stage easier , too .
Finally , we put all this together with the mentors – Charlie Lines- Perrier and Henry Wilcox ( both of Year 12 ), Miller Artz , Jacob Hooke , Edward Manderson , Max Orloff and Rupert Simmons ( all of Year 11 ), and Felix Catford and Ned Cox ( both of Year 9 ).
We started by thinking of how the stories that Erica told us could be dramatised , using some of the movement qualities that we learned from Alya . The mentors were all good at acting , and they used games to teach us about acting and how to join the Indigenous stories with movement .
Our group prepared the story of Marawee . The story was about two children , one now and one in the past , and how culture is the same throughout time , even if some of the things around us change .
Thank you , Erica , Alya and the mentors , because it was a really fun experience to learn all these stories , to learn movement , and to put them all together to make a really special piece of drama .
HENRY CATFORD – YEAR 7
EXAMINACTION – TOWARDS A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF DRAMA
In Term 3 and 4 Drama , we have had an amazing opportunity to be involved on the Zoom stage and on the normal stage in the James Forbes Academy .
We first met Charlie Veitch and Rex Cameron , two young Old Boys from the Class of 2019 , introducing us to a whole new generation of drama . We were partnered with the Year 11 mentors , giving us tips and tricks for our upcoming audition .
ExaminAction is a play written by Charlie Veitch and Rex Cameron , who are both studying theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts . The play is about a group of friends challenged with puzzles and games to complete their virtual reality English test . Charlie and Rex helped and challenged us as they directed us throughout the play , showing us positions around the stage , ways to project our words cohesively , and how to maintain relevance on stage .
Due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions , we had to change the direction of our play . Rehearsing online was a challenge , however we all participated and put in hours of work . The script was modified and was changed into a play we showcased via Zoom .
In conclusion , Term 3 and 4 Drama was a huge success . We all have learnt so much and developed as aspiring actors , thanks to the great work of our directors and Mr Waugh , who has been very helpful .
CHARLIE CUTINELLI – YEAR 7 www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 41