Head of Drama - Edition 6 - 2022

Drama at Westminster is now located in a new home! The magnificent Forder Centre has two Drama Studios, one a “black box” space with lighting and sound capability, the other a flexible learning space. These are already being put to good use for rehearsals in preparation for the upcoming combined Year 11 and 12 play for SACE Assessment, Waiting.

Waiting explores the questions, “What if a number of people found themselves in a timeless place, in a state of limbo? What if, in order to move on, each person must recall their happiest and saddest moments? Waiting takes its audience on a journey through characters’ lives, as they struggle to identify such moments; happiness and pain sometimes arise from the seemingly inconsequential. Experiences, actions and perceptions define who we are and how we are remembered.

The cast is working diligently in rehearsal to create a most memorable performance, one sure to prompt audiences to reflect on life!

The cast is ably assisted by Old Scholars and past co-Captains of Drama, Amy Bower (’15) and Dana Cropley (’15) and the Year 11s are working closely with MMC Coordinator, Paul Taylor and Sound Technician, John McCartney toward providing a very atmospheric, evocative set, clever lighting and sound. The Year 11 Wardrobe and Hair and Makeup teams are also conferring with Amy Bower during their design process. The upcoming Rehearsal Retreat promises to be exciting and productive, with workshops conducted by the former Head of Acting at the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), Tonk Knight. Tony held that position prior to retirement from 1991 to 2011 and taught people like Cate Blanchett, Sam Worthington, Essie Davis, and Sarah Snook, to name a few. We will also be joined by inimitable Physical Theatre specialist, Craig McArdle of McARTS and actress and Stage Combat Specialist, Ruth Fallon. Ruth is also an MEAA accredited Intimacy Consultant, a position now required on most professional film and theatre projects where any “romantic” text is involved.

Our enthusiastic Year 8 Drama cohort is working well with the unit, An Introduction to Shakespeare, wherein they are rapidly demystifying the Bard’s language and working effectively with it- learning basic sword fighting skills seems to make this very appealing!

The very talented Year 9s are working on an extension of their skills in and understanding of the Stanislavski System, while Kendra Cowan’s Year 10s are working on a great Children’s Theatre piece for performance to younger Preparatory School students. My smaller Year 10 class is working on consolidating skills in Stanislavski after a difficult Term 1.

Drama is simply going from strength to strength at Westminster School and the new Forder Centre provides a great new environment in which it can flourish.

John Doherty
Head of Drama