SCEGGS Drama News
Welcome back! I trust everyone has had a restful break and perhaps enjoyed some of what’s on offer at the Sydney Festival.
Another big year planned for the Drama department; including St Peter’s Players, A Musical, A Play and a Drama Tour to the USA. Welcome also to the girls who are new to the school or new to Drama. We look forward to constructing and telling some great stories.
School Of Rock
Please note that the planned theatre excursion to the musical School of Rock on Thursday February 6th, will not be going ahead. The producers have cancelled this performance of the show. There will be other opportunities to attend live performance throughout the year.
The planned excursion to War Horse is going ahead on Thursday February 27th. Places are still available and permission forms may be obtained from Mr Eyers.
OnSTAGE
Students from Year 11 and 12 Academic Drama will attend OnSTAGE – the annual exhibition of practical work from HSC candidates. Students will observe examples of high achieving works to propel them into their 2020 study. This excursion will take place on February 10th. Ms Rodda is the excursion co-ordinator.
Griffin Theatre Ambassador
Congratulations to Year 11 student Stella Middleditch who has been appointed to the Griffin Theatre Ambassador program. The program allows students from schools to participate in workshops and observe plays in their 2020 season. Applications for participation are called for in November of each year.
Ladies In Black – Auditions
The SCEGGS Musical for 2020 is Ladies in Black and will be presented at the Eternity Playhouse from June 4 to 6. The score is by Tim Finn and the Book & Lyrics are by Carolyn Burns.
The production will be directed and choreographed by Chloe Dallimore and our musical director is Mr Tim Cunniffe. The set/costume design will be completed by Ms Anna Gardiner and lighting design by Ms Eddi Goodfellow.
It is a charming story set in Sydney during the 1950s following a young girl’s experience in a department store whilst on break between her HSC and University. The show features an assortment of terrific characters and auditions are open to girls in years 7 to 11.
A compulsory orientation afternoon will be held on Wednesday February 12th. Students wishing to audition for the show will be taught 2 songs from the show for audition and hear from the director regarding expectations and vision for the production.
Following the orientation afternoon, students will be required to submit an audition form to the Head of Drama who will then allocate audition times. Auditions will be conducted on Friday 14/2, Monday 17/2 and Wednesday 19/2. If required, Callback auditions will take place on Friday 21/2.
Students keen to audition might like to seek out the recent Australian film directed by Bruce Beresford. It is not the musical but presents the story beautifully. I know it can be accessed from Amazon Prime streaming.
Chloe Dallimore – Director/Choreographer – Ladies in Black
Chloe is probably best known for her portrayal of Ulla, the Swedish blonde bombshell in The Producers – The New Mel Brooks Musical which won her five awards, including the 2005 Helpmann Award. Bryce Hallett from The Sydney Morning Herald called her “the newest triple threat”, whilst Mel Brooks himself, upon meeting Chloe remarked, “I love what you do in the show…your comic timing…the way you belt the song.”
Melbourne-born Chloe trained in classical ballet from an early age. After completing her formal schooling, she travelled to London to accept the Cameron Mackintosh Scholarship to study Theatre Dance performance at London Studio Centre. Upon graduation she won the Dame Anna Neagle award for most outstanding achievement.
Chloe returned to Australia as an original cast member of Crazy For You and since then her musical theatre credits include Chicago-The Musical, Sweet Charity, Annie, Wizard Of Oz, Shout! and Oliver! She also danced in Pearl, choreographed by Meryl Tankard for the 30th Anniversary of the Sydney Opera House, performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and was a featured artist in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Shanghai and Beijing.
Chloe was honoured to sing the National Anthem at the 2006 Bledisloe Cup and was invited by the Australian Consulate in New York City, to perform at the Opening Gala of G’Day USA at the American History Museum, New York, the same year. Performance credits include the title role in Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company), Broadway Showstoppers with the Sydney Symphony, Chloe Dallimore’s Magic of Musicals at Taronga Zoo Twilight Series, Showstoppers with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Amy in Company (Kookaburra), Helga in Allo, Allo (Twelfth Night Theatre).
Chloe has been a television regular on GMA with Bert Newton, Mornings With Kerri-Anne, Spicks and Specks, Sunrise, Carols in the Domain, and can be seen in George Miller’s feature movie Happy Feet.
Chloe was also the Assistant Resident Choreographer of the premiere production Billy Elliot-The Musical in Australia.
I just am committed wholeheartedly to theatre with no intermission.
Lady Gaga
Peter Eyers
Head of Drama
