Wonka coming to Ranges

Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School Bullengarook Secondary Campus students at the rehearsal of their upcoming production titled ‘Wonka and the Golden Ticket’. (Damjan Janevski). 425195_01

Students from Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School’s Bullengarook campus are getting ready to perform their next production, ‘Wonka and the Golden Ticket’.

Inspired by the Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory film from 1971, Bullengarook campus production director Lori Nichols said the production has received plenty of input and enthusiasm from students.

“I created 22 speaking parts to ensure everyone who wanted a line or more in the show could have one. We auditioned students for all of the main roles, and they did such a wonderful job, we had some trouble choosing,” Ms Nichols said.

She said the students, families, and staff have been especially enthusiastic about designing and building colourful props, taking inspiration from those used in the film.

Bullengarook campus production co-director Darcy Nolan said all stages of developing and performing school productions has broad benefits for the students.

“The biggest one is confidence and self-esteem. They really get a sense of pride in being able to work and be on-stage and remember their lines … the success in that and the confidence they get looks different for everyone,” Mr Nolan said.

“We like healthy pressure … it gives those sorts of things to feel nervous and feel unsure but to push through and to be resilient – and in the end, they’ll come out with something to be really proud of,” he said.

“Our kids have lots of challenges in their life, but this is one of those times where we get to celebrate them for who they are and what they can do.”

The production will be performed between Tuesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 12 at The Mountview Theatre in Macedon.