Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus (QACI) is proud to celebrate six students who recently took to the stage, and behind the scenes, as part of Queensland Theatre's Young Company production of School Dance by Matthew Whittet.
A hilarious, heartfelt and unmistakably '80s coming-of-age story, School Dance follows three teenagers navigating the awkwardness, excitement and uncertainty of high school. As the story unfolds, audiences are transported into a surreal world where unicorns create portals, BMX rides become legendary adventures, and the ghosts of invisible teenagers haunt every mirror-ball spin. Blending humour, imagination and iconic '80s music, the production explores the universal desire to be seen and accepted.
Representing QACI in the cast were Year 12 students Gilbee, Jess and Ainslie, alongside Year 11 student Lixi. Behind the scenes, Year 12 students Ev and Lidija played integral roles as young designers, contributing to the visual world of the production.
The production was the culmination of six months of rehearsals for the performers, while the design team began developing concepts even earlier. Across a sold-out seven-show season, the students collaborated alongside fellow young artists, directors, designers and Queensland Theatre mentors, gaining invaluable experience in a professional theatre environment.
Reflecting on the experience, Year 12 student Jess shared:
"In the July holidays, myself and 5 other QACI students were involved in Queensland Theatre's Young Company production of School Dance - a play by Matthew Whittet. I was incredibly lucky and grateful to be one of the 16 actors in this 7 show, sold out season. A highlight for me was seeing so many QACI faces in the audience each night, a testament to our supportive community.
These shows were a culmination of 6 months of rehearsals for performers, with QACI young designers Lidija and Ev starting even earlier. Developing the world of School Dance has been a long but fulfilling journey and I'm very grateful to have had my fellow QACI actors Ainslie, Gilbee, and Lixi by my side. Exploring what it means to be seen, this wild '80s coming of age story was created in collaboration between young performers, young designers, directors, and QTC mentors. The Young Company has given me the opportunity to further develop my acting and collaboration skills, experiencing a process of theatre making in a professional setting."
Experiences such as Queensland Theatre's Young Company provide students with the opportunity to extend their creative practice beyond the classroom, working alongside industry professionals while developing the collaboration, communication and artistic skills that are central to the International Baccalaureate learner profile.
Congratulations to Gilbee, Jess, Ainslie, Lixi, Ev and Lidija on this outstanding achievement. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, creativity and professionalism you brought to this production and look forward to seeing where your artistic journeys take you next.
Photos by Georgia Haupt