Aspiring to be professionals in the performing arts, a female-led design crew is working hard behind the scenes to bring a student-led production to life.
Curtains will draw on ASPIRE, the Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s performing arts initiative at the Civic Theatre, on July 30. The show, The Rise of Bozz, runs to August 2.
Design crew member and year 12 student Bethany Evans said the team had been working hard throughout the school holidays to finalise the costumes, set and props. They held a rehearsal at Trinity College on Friday, July 18.
“I’ve been working pretty closely on colourful outfits which are for a small group of characters called The UnEducated,” she said.
The Rize of Bozz follows a storyline about a futuristic, post-apocalyptic society where technology and emotions have been banned.
“People are told not to feel or express themselves, and The UnEducated are like an uprising of people who wear colour, cry, laugh, show their emotions and challenge the leaders in society,” Miss Evans said.
The entire production is led by students from start to finish – from initial story concepts to script development, design and backstage management.
“This is my sixth Aspire, and I like having a bit of everything under my cap as far as the performing arts,” Miss Evans said.
“ASPIRE is really amazing, it’s not just about acting, it’s all different fields. The whole experience is fun and stressful, but it’s always amazing to see our work put on stage in the end result.”
Miss Evans is planning to study scriptwriting at the University of Melbourne next year. She said ASPIRE had equipped her with the tools needed to pursue that study path.
“It’s really helped me with the industry and getting my work out there,” she said.
ASPIRE is the only program of its kind in NSW Catholic schools, builing the portfolio of students who are working to earn a VET Certificate in Entertainment.
Tickets for the show are on sale now via the Civic Theatre website.
