Arts News 4 April

MEET YOUR 2024 SENIOR ARTS COUNCIL!
Led by Arts Prefect, Amy Jones, the Senior Arts Council uplift, encourage and provide creativity and opportunities for Arts around SMC. We are kicking things off today with the Cushion Cabaret, an outdoor lunchtime music session under the trees - a great way for students to perform and for others to enjoy a relaxing, low key ‘summer vibe’. 

Check out their video here and get to know your fellow students!

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL REGIONALS
All the best to those taking the stage this weekend for the Regional SGCNZ Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival competition!

Altogether 22 SMC drama students will bring to life four different scenes, including a 15 minute scene from A MidSummer Night's Dream, and three 5 minute scenes from Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, and Richard the III.

A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into getting these pieces ready for the stage, and we look forward to cheering you all on.
Open to all who want to come and watch!

Sunday 7th April

Doors open 1pm - performances start 1:30pm - 5:30pm.

Christchurch Boys High School

$5 door sales

Schedule of performances:

ACT I
St Margaret's College - Richard III (scene TBC) 5min
Lincoln High School – Macbeth (compilation) 15min
Shirley Boys High School - Ngā Tama o Ōruapaeroa – Othello (Act II sc iii) 5min
St Bede's College - A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act I sc ii) 5min
Middleton Grange School – Hamlet (Act XI sc ii) 15min
Burnside High School - Twelfth Night (sc iii Act IV) 5min
Papanui High School - Romeo and Juliet (Prologue/Act I sc v) 15min
Craighead Diocesan School - Measure for Measure (Act II sc iv) 5min
St Margaret's College - A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act V sc i) 15min
Shirley Boys High School - Ngā Tama o Ōruapaeroa - The Comedy of Errors (Act III) 5min
Craighead Diocesan School - The Taming of the Shrew (Act IV sc v) 5min

ACT II
Craighead Diocesan School - The Taming of the Shrew (Induction sc I, II) 15min
Shirley Boys High School - Ngā Tama o Ōruapaeroa – Othello (Act III sc iii) 5min
Ashburton Homeschoolers - The Merchant of Venice (Act I sc i, ii, Act II sc iv, vi, Act III sc ii) 15min
St Margaret's College - Much Ado About Nothing (scene TBC) 5min
Christchurch Girls' High School - Te Kura o Hine Waiora - A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act III sc i) 15min
St Bede's College / Marian College – Hamlet (Act III sc ii) 15min
St Margaret's College – Othello (Act V sc ii) 5min
Craighead Diocesan School - Measure for Measure (Act II sc iv) 5min
Burnside High School - Richard III (Act IV sc i, Act IV sc iv) 15min

PRODUCTION UPDATE
Production rehearsals have started with huge energy and the cast have been eagerly learning their songs, working through blocking and perfecting choreography.

We are excited to welcome Rylie MacGibbon as Choreographer of the production. Rylie is one of the teachers at Theatre Dance Academy, with specialist training in Musical Theatre styles. We are looking forward to the flair and creativity that she will bring to the team. 

As we head into Term 2 the production team, both staff and students, will be ramping up. Creating costumes, props, set pieces and bringing to life stage magic. 

With a show of this size it will be a mammoth effort to get this show on stage. We would welcome volunteers in the following areas: 

- Sewing bees and costume construction

- Prop sourcing and painting

- Set construction and painting

- Support for longer rehearsals; extra supervision, food roster/donations

If you are interested in supporting the production as a volunteer we would love to hear from you. Please contact Anna Richardson: anna.richardson@stmargarets.school.nz

MARY POPPINS POSTER COMPETITION
We have extended the deadline to the start of Term 2, so you have all school holidays to get your creative juices flowing. We would love to decorate the hall with many entries, so submit as many designs are you like! Note that you are now allowed to included words on the design.

Drop off to WN206 office on the first day of Term 2, or email submissions to laura.hewetson@stmargarets.school.nz

CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS!
Congratulations to Summer Zhou, who has been selected as a violinist for the NZSSSO!

The Forte Itinerant Music Service is running the New Zealand Secondary School’s Symphony Orchestra course from the 15th – 20th April held at St Margaret’s College in Christchurch. We wish to congratulate Summer Zhou on being selected to attend.

Entry is by audition, drawing from New Zealand’s top secondary school orchestral instrumentalists, and is highly competitive. Successful applicants represent their school in a full-size orchestra made up of 80 secondary students from 33 schools across 12 different centers across New Zealand. NZSSSO is widely regarded as a significant training ground for young players aspiring to membership of the New Zealand Youth Orchestra and ultimately to a career as a professional musician.

Students involved in this course will participate in an intense six-day orchestral event, run by the Christchurch Forte Team of Itinerant Music Teachers in the first week of the school holidays, culminating in two public performances - the first on Friday 19th April, a 1 hour "taster" concert; and the main performance on the 20th April from 7pm. Both performances are at the Charles Luney Auditorium, St Margaret’s College, Christchurch.

Further details can be viewed on www.nzssso.com

Well done Summer!

THE CRUCIBLE 
‘From the 24th of April to the 4th of May Riccarton Players is putting on a production of The Crucible, directed by Alistair Bean. The Crucible is about the Salem Witch trials from 1692 to 1693, where more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft and 20 of them were executed. The Crucible is a fictionalized telling of the trials focussing on the people of Salem, looking at how their relationships, intentions, and beliefs brought about a mass hysteria that would see hundreds tried as witches. 

I'm a Year 13 student at St Margaret's and I have the great privilege of being in this show. I'm part of the ensemble of Coven Girls. We act as the catalyst behind the trials. After being caught dancing in the woods, we, led by Abigail Williams, accuse dozens of people in the village of witchcraft. We are a visual example of group hysteria, acting as one large unit rather than individuals. Being part of this show has been such an amazing experience. It's the very first show that I have ever been involved in that is not solely performed by teenagers. I've been able to meet and act alongside adults who've been acting for much longer than I have and I've learned so much from all of them. The cast has the most amazing energy, we all feel free to go all out without fear of being judged and everyone always brings their A-game. The Coven Girls particularly, is so much fun, especially since we do a lot of physical movement. As well as being part of the ensemble I've also been given the amazing opportunity to understudy Abigail Williams, one of the leads. This has been a great challenge because I'd never understudied before, and Claudia, (Abigail Williams) has been so supportive and fun to work with. Overall this show has been such an amazing experience and I'm so excited for the performances.”

Student - CJay Horrey

You can get tickets here. 

COURT THEATRE AMBASSADOR - Murder on the Orient Express
“As one of the Court Ambassadors of St Margarets, I had the privilege of attending a performance of Murder on the Orient Express, and this was an unforgettable experience. From the moment the curtain rose, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement. With each passing moment, suspicions draw high and everyone becomes a potential suspect in the looming murder mystery. This plunges the audience into a whirlwind of intrigue and suspicion, drawing us further into the intricate web of lies and deception. The twists and turns of the plot kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly trying to piece together the clues to figure out who did it. The ending was a truly dramatic and unforgettable experience, with the use of spot lights and lighting in general as the biggest effect. After the curtain fell, the chatter and theories filled the space with everyone trying to understand and make sense of the amazing piece of theatre that we just witnessed. ‘Murder on the Orient Express' is a timeless appeal and captivating storyline making it a must-see performance for everyone” 

Information and limited tickets can be found via this link: https://courttheatre.org.nz/whats-on/agatha-christies-murder-on-the-orient-express/ 

Exciting news awaits the Theatre sports girls at SMC, and anyone who loves drama. We’re thrilled to announce that Court Jesters will be joining us to hold some workshops and sessions, which will enable the experience and understanding of theatre sports for the girls. They will collaborate with us to give the girls a chance to enhance their theatre skills, which will boost confidence within the arts. 

Next Lucia and I are off to see Every Brilliant Thing on the 10th of April, we couldn't be more excited to experience more of what the Court Theatre has to offer.”

Rhea Wallace - Drama Leader

UPCOMING EVENTS
ITINERANT MUSIC CONCERT

Celebrating the work of some of our many Itinerant music students, this concert is a regular spot on the performing arts calendar. It gives our girl’s the opportunity to showcase what they have been working on, in a professional setting like the Charles Luney Auditorium, in front of family and friends. All are welcome, no cost. 

Tuesday 9th April
3:45pm
Charles Luney Auditorium

TWILIGHT CONCERT
Our annual Twilight concert is gearing up to be another fantastic showcase for our talented students' work across our co-curricular groups in Dance, Music and Drama!  Featuring many of our rockbands, orchestra, chamber groups, jazz band, Sheliah Winn performances, Senior Dance Company, Middle School Dance Company, and so much more!  This is one not to miss!
All welcome, no cost.

Thursday 11th April
5pm-7:30pm
Charles Luney Auditorium