Teens own challenge
Aotea College is putting a teen angst twist on the classic tale of Rapunzel for its Stage Challenge performance next Thursday.
Eighty students from all year groups are dedicating hours each week to rehearsals.
Its seven-minute performance, Welcome to the Madhouse, tells the tale of a teenage girl oppressed by her parents’ expectations and her fears of failure, says the production’s cocreator, 17- year- old Hayley Brown.
‘‘ It’s a modern- day twist on Rapunzel. Instead of being literally trapped she’s trapped in her family expectations,’’ Hayley says. ‘‘She’s a copy of her parents. Her parents are trying to manipulate her. She wants to be a ballerina but she’s scared of failure and people not accepting her.’’
Rapunzel falls into a nightmare where she encounters all her fears, then in the final act makes peace with herself and her family, Hayley says.
‘‘She’s going to be her own person with her own individuality.’’
The three-act performance is embellished with colourful costumes, makeup and sets all designed and created by the students.
More than 15 songs will help the show’s dancers tell Rapunzel’s story.
Last year the college did not place and hopes to blow the competition away next week, Hayley says.
Tawa College will perform their show, An Emotional Journey, on May 25. The Carterton ballooning tragedy, Christchurch’s earthquakes and a former pupil’s diving accident inspired the college’s story of a young girl dealing with losing the use of her legs.
‘‘It’s quite dark,’’ says liaison teacher Hilary Asquith.
Tawa came second in last year’s Stage Challenge and the 150 students working on this year’s performance hope to at least match that ranking next Friday, she says.
Stage Challenge Wellington, May 24 and 25, 7pm at TSB Arena. Tickets $27 to $33