It’s not the first time Gloucester High School students have made a dramatic impression at the annual Taree and District Eisteddfod.
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It’s not even the first time the students have come home with awards in hand - but it’s the first time they have been invited to take part in the grand finale concert.
The concert takes place on Saturday, June 16 at the end of the program which has run over the past several months, having launched at the Manning Entertainment Centre (MEC) on Tuesday, April 24.
It’s a final showcase of selected winning performances from across the sections which include, dance, vocal, piano and of course, drama.
After year 11 students Madi Battams, Sophie Dunn, Kyra Edstein, Jasmine Keen and Ellie Schumann won first place in the senior playbuilding category with their original play, “Keep Me Posted,” they were invited back to the concert.
“It’s a great opportunity to perform in front of a much bigger audience,” Kyra said. “It’s also good for the school.”
They’ll be joined by year 12 student Liam Chester, who won second place in for his solo performance “Humpty Dumpty”, and a $70 prize for the most memorable performance. Liam has a history on stage as a singer and said performing a monologue is more challenging.
“It’s nerve-racking,” Liam said. “But the nerves go away once I’m one stage.”
These students were among a list of award winners from the school.
In the senior solo performance category, first place went to Sophie Middlebrook with “Tiggy Entwhistle”, and fourth place to Jenna Davis with “The Biscuit Tin.”
Intermediate playbuilding saw another first place win with year 10 students Will Bowden. Riko Fitzgerald, Bethany Hester and Holly Willis in “Life” and fourth place going to year nine students Indira Baker, Erin Connell, Charlie Carruthers, Georgia Harford and Chloe Reid with “After Ever After.
Encouragement awards were presented to year nine students Danielle Channon, Lucy Corbett, Hannah Higgins and Keira MacDonald for “Sittin' in with Stupid Heroes” and Emma Ashton, Natasha Murray, Amy Niddrie, Amy Shultz and Courtney Webeck for “Law and Disorder.”
GHS drama teacher Scott Davis said the year nine students were up against year 10 students, they so did well to compete.
“I’m very proud of all the students who competed at the eisteddfod, not just the winners,” Mr Davis said.
“It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of an audience and be judged by others.
“To do so as successfully, as these students have, is a testament to the quality of individuals we have to teach at Gloucester High School.”