We are back! Its term 3 and that time of year again, where we start rehearsals for the end of year concert. It’s always exciting when you are working towards a performance. First script readings are done and dusted, students are cast and a buzz of anticipation surrounds every rehearsal. The words on the page come alive, students are transformed into characters and the world of make believe is created through direction and imagination.
Rehearsals are always my favourite part of play production. This is where choices are made, lessons of team work and dedication are truly understood and creativity is king. As a wise man once said, it’s not the destination, but the journey that’s important. This is never so true when rehearsing for a play.
Students can use all the technique they’ve learnt throughout the year and put it into real practice. That light bulb moment of ‘Oh this is what you meant’, now I get it’, is what we live for during concert prep. Yes it’s fun, yes it’s exciting, but it’s also a lot of hard work. There is no short cut to success. Time, effort and perseverance is what’s needed here and students all respond to the expectation differently. What we strive for is that our students realise that ‘can’t’ isn’t an option. Not while rehearsing for a concert and certainly not in life. What we need during this time, is the support of parents. Whether it’s helping them learn their lines or just giving them positive re-enforcement that they can do it.
The ultimate goal is that our students exceed their own expectations. So they can prove to themselves that they are capable of more than they thought. This not about how well they perform, this is about whether they put in the work, kept going and saw it through to the end. If they do that, they will be stars in our eyes, regardless of what happens on stage.
Good luck to all our students, teachers and parents! Let the work begin!