College wins stage challenge
Te Awamutu College students danced their way to victory in the recent Hamilton Stage Challenge competition.
The school snapped up first place in the open division with their performance, Displacement, performed and produced by 65 students.
Displacement followed the journey of a family after their home is destroyed by Syrian rebel groups.
The performance began in a boat which led the family to countries refusing to take any more refugees. The students practiced after school and on weekends leading up to show time.
The family roles were performed by Luke Frost, Ti Haslam, Chloe Schwass, Shawna Chettleburgh and Gemma Hastie (pictured).
Te Awamutu College drama and dance teachers, Kylie Davidson and Hannah Farrant, oversaw the production, which wasmainly choreographed by students.
Drama teacher Kylie Davidson says the students were “over the moon“with the win.
“Some were even tearful— they all worked so hard.”
Stage Challenge event manager Olivia Kinane says Te Awamutu College performed a “breath-taking piece“.
“The call to action within their piece was not missed and it resonated amongst the audience.”
Production judge David Artist says the idea was a “great concept told with movement and colours“. Stage Challenge is a global dance, drama and design competition for students. Each winning school’s performance is viewed and judged by a panel of judges from the Stage Challenge Foundation. Winners of national awards will be announced in July.