Students from Bundaberg State High School are showcasing their musical theatre skills, presenting Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical this weekend at the Moncrieff.
Warren Duxbury from Bundaberg State High School provided some insights into this event and how the students have been preparing.
What inspired the school to choose Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as this year’s musical?
We wanted to do a musical that the students would find engaging and a story that they were all familiar with.
When we announced the musical in June last year the students were very eager to sign up and be part of the production.
How many students are involved and what has the rehearsal process been like?
There are fifty students from Year 7 to Year 12 involved.
The key roles were very sought after, and the incredible talent that was selected have been committed to two rehearsals a week.
Students and staff have been giving up their Sunday afternoons from midday until 5 pm and Monday’s from 3 pm to 5 pm.
We also enlisted help from our talented art students to create the amazing set pieces and props to bring the factory to life and on a very limited budget!
Were there any standout moments or surprises during rehearsals?
Seeing the students improve week by week and giving their all to the process has been amazing to watch.
The talented students have had to not only learn their lines of dialogue but also need to sing and dance, while memorising all the detailed choreography.
What lessons do students take away from being part of a production like this?
It’s an authentic experience for them.
They get to perform for a paying audience at a great venue like the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre.
For many of the students this will be the first time that they set foot on the stage.
What role did teachers and staff play in making the show a success?
The Arts staff at the school have given up countless hours and their weekends to make this show happen.
We just need the community now to show their support and buy tickets.
Event details
Location: Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, 177 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg central
Dates and times: Friday 6 June, at 7pm and Saturday 7 June, at 1 pm and 7 pm
Cost: Adults $20, students and concession $17.50
Tickets: Available for purchase online here or from the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre box office.
