On June 4, the school’s Year 10 Drama students staged two original plays as part of the centre’s Acting Up! Showcase.

The students wrote their own plays and cast them using members of their Drama class.

Canberra Theatre then came to the school and watched the plays, selecting two of them to be performed in the nation’s capital city.

“Performing in the Acting Up! festival was an amazing experience,” Year 10 actress and writer Kaylah Faulkner said.

“It allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the theatre and performing industry while gaining knowledge and help from theatre critics. 

“It was an unforgettable time.”

The eight performers - Kaylah, Ruben Agoston, Abbie-Gale Carriage, Aaron Burnett, Ellie Parker, Abby-Rose Simpson and Indigo Walker – impressed audiences with their energy and talent on stage, as well as their diligence and professionalism behind the scenes.

“It was amazing to see how things in big companies work,” Ellie said. 

“[The crew] were very professional and it’s something that will stick with me forever.”  

The first play, Zen Robbery by Esther Black, explored the profound realisation of a girl when she is confronted with the idea that material goods cannot ensure her happiness.

She is then forced to abandon her friends and life of crime for a life of peace.

The second play, Life of the Party collaboratively written by Esther and Abby-Rose, revealed the effects of peer pressure when one feels compelled to conform.

However, it is not long before the two characters see the superficiality of their adolescent peers and realise the importance of friendship.

“Seeing the kids so pumped about the performance leaves us with the hope that they will have a lifelong relationship with theatre and we look forward to seeing the great plays they write next year,” Drama teacher Mark Friend said.