GRANT High School is riding a wave of creativity as the final touches are made to its Shifting Sands musical, which will debut next month.
Predominately shaped by senior school students, the production – centred around environmental awareness – is unlike anything the Blue Lake city has seen before, according to school music teachers Mike Bakker and Scott
Maxwell.
Guided by both Mr Bakker and Mr Maxwell, the musical offers surf, punk and beach-style sounds and is set in a small coastal town under threat from an unscrupulous developer.
Mr Maxwell said the production was completely different to the past two bi-annual showcases with students having more “authentic” responsibilities.
“Mr Bakker and I wrote the script but it was just the framing outline for the students,” the ARIA award-winning music teacher said.
“It was important for us to handover as much as we possibly could to the students so they could become more involved.
“This is the first time I have been off stage and I am extremely proud of what the students have accomplished.”
From drum-kits made from debris to creative plastic jelly-fish puppets, Mr Maxwell said students had thought outside the box.
“Student involvement is paramount and with this being our third production, each year we have been able to hand more and more over,” he said.
“We are at the point now where we are confident students could write their own musical completely from scratch.
“This year the project ran through our Integrated Learning subject offering Year 12 students 20 subject credits for the South Australian Certificate of Education which is an achievement in itself.”
Mr Maxwell said students had taken on critical production roles.
“We have students filling big positions and it is amazing to see them develop their skills tremendously,” he said.
“I am so lucky to have the older grades aiding as mentors for the younger ones and being exceptional role models.
Year 12 student, production co-director and co-choreographer Maisie Hart said being involved in the Elite Performing Arts Group had broadened her knowledge.
“This group has allowed us to develop not only our specialised skills but also learn new aspects in other diverse areas,” Ms Hart said.
“We have also learnt how to be a good leader and follower through this class which could not have been provided in the usual classroom activity.
“We have learnt the process of not cancelling out other people’s ideas and instead have helped each other develop through teamwork.”
Ms Hart said she had always been known as the “drama kid” .
“I have had the opportunity to expand on not only my dance skills but directing, choreographing and also the ability in becoming a leader,” she said.
“It is not everyday you have the opportunity to see what is required behind making a production and I am very thankful for the opportunity.
“I have seen it all come together instead from each different aspect instead of only just from a single unit.”
The musical team is encouraging students from all schools as well as the community to attend Shifting Sands.
The musical will be held at Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on September 26 and 27 with two matinee performances and two evening performances available.
Mr Maxwell said community support was important to continue the production of “mind-blowing” creations.
