Whittlesea Secondary College has received its first nomination in the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria 2023 junior category for its production of Chicago: High School Edition.
A total of 52 schools across Victoria were judged for the awards, which will be announced at the 36th Bruce Awards Ceremony next month, recognising the state’s most well-performed musicals.
Director Shaun Geerlings-Parker said it was great to find out the school was recognised alongside the state’s most elite schools.
“Some of those massive schools obviously have a bigger budget, a bigger theatre and probably more access to more musicians and access to more resources than what we will receive,” he said.
The production team – 21 onstage and 10 behind the scenes – delivered the murder mystery tale in September and performed the show with a traditional set.
Without a curtain and minimal stage setup, Mr Geerlings-Parker said the students relied on their movements to perform one of the school’s most ‘successful’ productions.
“From the second they walked onto the stage, it wasn’t an opportunity to stand in the wings and wait in the wings like a lot of shows do – it was ‘boom, you’re on stage’,” he said.
“The minute these kids finished their scene, they had to remain in character until they actually got out of the building – we had curtains on the doors going into the foyer because we utilised the foyer during the show.”
Nominated for Lead Performer in a Female Presenting Role, year 11 student Ally Chesswas brought sassy Velma Kelly to life with her commitment and showmanship.
Year 11 student Daniel Martin’s portrayal of smooth-talking criminal defence lawyer Billy Flynn earnt him a commendation for Lead Performer in a Male Presenting Role.
Mr Geerlings-Parker said both students brought their own ‘flair’ to the roles.
“Daniel [had] that opportunity to really develop some performance and grow into the role,” he said.
“Ally was amazing as well, her commitment to the role was incredible – she did great learning bits and pieces … and her sass and attitude that she brought to the role was amazing to watch.”
The production received a commendation for musical direction, which Mr Geerlings-Parker credited to the entire cast for their commitment to rehearsals and learning the music.
Mr Geerlings-Parker said the production program underwent a reset during the COVID-19 pandemic and reassessed how productions were structured and ensured students were well aware of expectations.
“I invested in the program by building up the equipment, building up the resources, upskilling the students,” he said.
“We’ve got a huge community following now for the production, so getting that support from the township and surrounding has really help develop the show.”
