With audiences returning and the arts emerging on stage once more post-pandemic, the Emmanuel College community celebrated its talented students with a new variety show - Emmanuel Unmasked.
An incredible amount of effort from students, staff and volunteers went into producing the pantomime-style shows, performed on August 5 and 6 in the Wyton Theatre.
Students from Years 7 to 12 performed in 17 acts, ranging from singing, acting, dancing, skits and comedy.
Performances included Bohemian Rhapsody by the School Concert Band, modern covers by contemporary student bands Koi and the Boston 3, the Emmanuel Singers, dancing to Sia’s Chandelier and original skits such as Murder and Mayhem by Year 10 student Kate Partridge.
Not only did students take to the stage, but two mystery masked singers - revealed as Principal, Peter Morgan and owner of ‘All Seasons Nursery’ Dave Winters, joined in costume for the crowd to guess the performer.
Hosted by local comedian Aidan Nicolson, the variety shows had a taste of all the arts can offer.
Head of Performing Arts, Megan Davies said the students rose to the occasion, working at great efforts to put the show together.
“The students put their game faces on”, Megan said.
“I think just having that adrenaline and the buzz of an audience in The Stage, the performances just lifted.
“It was the whole adrenaline rush . . . They rose to the occasion, and I am so proud of them when you see the growth from when we first received the scripts to the completion of the performances. Unbelievable.”
I’ve missed performing a lot, and it felt nice to do something. I’ve never really done many performances with school, so it was great to do that,Year 10 student, Akira Fish-Laird
The title concept of the new show is to celebrate the community coming together post-covid restrictions to unmask our College’s talent.
The pandemic held back opportunities for students to perform in front of a crowd. However, despite the setback, Megan Davies said students and staff made sure they supported one another to boost confidence.
“Within the performing arts, many students had lost their confidence about performing in front of people. We play for enjoyment, but we also perform so you can share your talents, so they were a little nervous, but it’s something that they have wanted to do,” Megan said.
Now the students are excited for future performances with our College.
“Students are coming to me asking when we can perform next. I’m trying to keep up with them!” Megan said.
“As a teacher, you get enthused by their enthusiasm. As the weeks progressed to show time, their excitement to put on a show for them - That’s why the performing arts staff do what they do; it’s all for the kids.
“I think parents loved seeing their child on stage again. I’ve had a lot of feedback from parents who thought it was just amazing seeing their child up there and under the lights doing what they love.”
EJ Gass in Romeo & Juliet, Mercutio’s Death Scene
Ruby Nelson perfoming with the contemporary dance group
Principal Peter Morgan is revealed as the Masked Singer at the Saturday Matinee Show.
Year 9 student EJ Gass debuted her first performance for the College community in the variety show.
EJ performed in the Stage Band, Voice Choir, and the Emmanuel Singers while also acting in Romeo and Juliet Mercutio’s death scene, Cashless and Parody of The Little Mermaid.
EJ’s highlights were working with other students and coming together on the school holidays to see each other practice.
“My highlight was coming together on the holidays,” EJ said.
“You got to see what all the other groups were doing, and [teachers] made morning tea for us.”
Year 8 student Ruby Nelson performed in both singing with the Emmanuel Singers, contemporary dancing and acting in Cashless and the Parody of The Little Mermaid.
Practising only with friends or in her bedroom to surprise her family, Ruby knew her family were pleasantly shocked by her amount of performances.
“I practised in my bedroom without my family, so it was a surprise when they saw the acts because I don’t think they realised how long my character lines were,” Ruby said.
“I think [my family] were shocked, and I think they were impressed. Not many people knew what the acts were.
“My favourite performances were probably Cashless. I enjoyed this because it was different, I haven’t done an act like that before or any skits, and I liked working with EJ and Akira.
Year 10 student Akira Fish-Laird performed across a range of acts in Emmanuel Unmasked, including playing the flute in the ensemble, singing in the Voice Choir and acting.
Akira said she missed performing, and her favourite performance was the skit Murder Mayhem.
“I’ve missed performing a lot, and it felt nice to do something. I’ve never really done many performances with school, so it was great to do that,” Akira said.
