Drama and Theatre

Drama and Theatre

Year 12 IB Theatre Solo Performance Evenings: A Remarkable Culmination

This week, the Redlands Drama Studio was transformed into a vibrant theatrical space as our Year 12 IB Theatre students presented their Solo Performances across two memorable evenings, showcasing the culmination of two years of creativity, dedication and artistic growth. Inspired by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau’s Viewpoints methodology, each student selected and embedded three Viewpoints into their performance, thoughtfully exploring the relationships between time, space, movement and character. The result was an extraordinary collection of solo works that demonstrated both sophisticated theatrical understanding and deeply personal artistic expression. 

Both evenings were met with packed audiences and an incredibly supportive atmosphere. It was particularly wonderful to see so many Drama students from Years 10, 11 and 12, across both the IB and HSC pathways, attending to support their peers. Audience members provided thoughtful and generous feedback following each performance, giving the students valuable insights that will contribute to their final reports. The encouragement, enthusiasm and collegiality on display across the two nights reflected the strength of the Drama community at Redlands and highlighted the importance of supporting one another’s artistic journeys. 

The nine students presented an impressive range of texts and characters:

  • Francisco Segorbe – Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth
  • Zain Naqvi – The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh
  • Andrea Lazzarin – Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth
  • Byron Kendrigan – Angels in America by Tony Kushner
  • Yvie Marjoram – Storm by Tim Minchin
  • Gabriel Grindlay – The Caretaker by Harold Pinter
  • Ethan James – Criminal: United Kingdom (S02, E02)
  • Hunter Penney – The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  • Maria Smith – Trophy Boys by Emmanuelle Mattana 

As teachers, families and audience members reflected on the performances, there was a strong sense of pride in how far this cohort has come. What began two years ago as an exploration of theatrical practice has developed into a group of confident, thoughtful and courageous theatre-makers capable of tackling complex texts and sophisticated performance styles. Their Solo Performances were not simply assessment tasks, but a celebration of their growth as artists and collaborators.

Congratulations to all nine students on an outstanding achievement and on bringing their IB Theatre journey to such a powerful and inspiring conclusion. And also congratulations to the nine students from HSC Drama who completed their final exam on Friday of last week, and despite illnesses and last minute stand ins, did an incredible job under considerable pressure. Both the IB and HSC Drama and Theatre students came together on Monday of this week to take the annual Drama and Theatre picture for the plaque that will eventually join the legacy on the wall outside of the Drama Studio. 

Steven Fry
Head of Department (7-12) – Drama and Theatre
sfry@redlands.nsw.edu.au