The 2020 Showcase season is well and truly underway, with the top-performing dance and drama students from the 2019 Higher School Certificate sharing their talents with the public at the Seymour Centre this week.
The OnSTAGE and CALLBACK programs highlight the dedication, creativity and courage of arts students in NSW.
Local dancer Halle Clark from Trinity Catholic College in Lismore is currently on her way to Sydney as one of the featured dancers at the event. ‘I will be performing at the Seymour Centre in Sydney on Friday, February 14 at the at the matinee and evening shows,’ she said
Ms Clarke said when she found out she had been accepted into CALLBACK for her Major Study Performance she couldn’t believe it. I ms so grateful, as I thought the chances of it actually happening were so small,’ she said. ‘I found out at about 1am after I finished a late shift at work and I was so incredibly excited I just had to wake my parents up. They were just as ecstatic as I was.
A very big deal
Ms Clark says her family, friends, school and teachers were all so excited and happy for her as well. ‘They all understood just how big of a deal it was to me to be accepted into the state-wide HSC dance showcase and just how hard I had worked for the HSC.’
Ms Clarke says she has declined an offer from Sydney Dance Company for their Pre-Professional program. ‘I’ve chosen to have a gap year, to work and then travel to Europe for a few months before commencing my deferred degree in Biomedical Science at QUT in 2021.’
NSW Education Standards Authority CEO Paul Martin said it is impressive to see how students reflect on their personal and community values in these performances – and I am so glad that both the public and future students have a chance to see them displayed.
‘This year, students have explored themes including Australian history, gender in sports, the changing environment and experiences of life with ADHD.
A testament to the commitment of students and their teachers
‘The showcases are a testament to the commitment of students and their teachers – as well as the quality of the NSW Drama and Dance curriculum.
Mr Martin said highlights of this year’s OnSTAGE and CALLBACK programs include: Nicholas Cutrupi from Mitchell High School will perform his powerful contemporary dance piece at CALLBACK, which investigates the spiralling journey into addiction; A group OnSTAGE performance from St Catherine’s School explores gender in the sporting world; and Halle Clark’s piece, which refers to the relief and joy of rain after the hardship of drought.
‘As well as the students selected, congratulations must also go to the hundreds of students whose work was nominated,’ said Mr Martin.
What’s next for Halle? After graduating with an ATAR of 95.20, she has many opportunities open to her. ‘For now, I am so excited to be a part of CALLBACK 2019 as it has been a dream of mine since I started studying dance at school.
‘I’m so grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds’.
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