Gisborne Secondary College and Kyneton High School students are preparing to take the stage and perform musical comedy The Addams Family.
With music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the comedic story follows two families, the Addams family and the Beineke family, and presents themes of love and change.
Involving a team of 80 students from the two schools, Gisborne Secondary College producer and production co-ordinator Kitty Skeen said plenty of work had gone into rehearsing and preparing for the upcoming performances.
Ms Skeen said students, with the assistance of staff, have managed all aspects of the show – including set and costume design, poster design, choreography, lighting, and sound.
“I think one of the things I love the most is that it’s across all of the year levels – so you’ve got year sevens working with year twelves,” Ms Skeen said.
She said the unique story and themes of the production has made rehearsing and preparing the production enjoyable for students.
“A lot of them love the story, because the Addams Family is really dark [and] macabre, but this whole story is all about love … and they’re connecting with that,” she said.
Ms Skeen said taking part in school productions is a great way to gain performance, technical, and social skills.
“They don’t just have to be on stage – they can work backstage, they can learn a new skill in lighting or in sound, or making props,” she said.
“But the kids that perform get a massive buzz out of it as well – it’s a real thrill standing in front of your family and friends.”
The two schools will perform The Addams Family on multiple dates over two separate weekends between August 9–18 at The Barcham Theatre in Gisborne.
Details: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1217588
