by Renee Wood
Healesville High School will be turning into a ‘School of Rock’ as students transform into rock and roll stars for the upcoming production.
It’s the first production in two years due to the pandemic, and it’s one that students and teachers are thrilled to see come together.
Production director Shane Cody said he jumped on board because he knew it was going to be a positive experience post Covid.
“Everyone needed to bond, we need to as a group in school, and so I see theatre as the best way to really bond across year levels and across even teacher student relation, we’re all just in it together,” Mr Cody said.
Year 11 student Connor Fallon is playing the School of Rock lead role Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who finds himself impersonating his best friend in a substitute teacher role.
Connor said the character fits him well as he loves rock and roll, although he’s taking on a big task stepping up singing on stage in public.
“It’s just been really good singing and just learning because it’s not like school, so everyone’s so different as well. We’re all really close,” Connor said.
The story follows Dewey and his class room has he compels students to ditch normal lessons and become a rock band to enter into a music competition.
The Broadway show written by Andrew Lloyd Weber is similar to the well known movie, which features actor and musician Jack Black, but it has many differences that the audience will engage well with.
The students have also made a few twists in the tale to feature a more Aussie tone and bring the story to the town of Healesville.
It’s seen as a great opportunity for the students and teachers to be a part of.
“I think it makes a big difference when the people on stage are enjoying themselves as well – I can tell that everybody’s having a good time. So that itself infects the crowd with the same feeling,” Connor said.
Year 11 student Ettie McCarthy is playing Patty Di Marco, Dewey’s best friend’s girlfriend who the lead character doesn’t get along with.
Ettie said the show has been wonderful in bringing all year levels together and building friendships that have become stronger due to the production.
“It’s interesting because during school times, every year level is extremely separate. So having these extra things outside of school, it makes it a bit less awkward for us to all be in the same room together,” Ettie said.
The community is invited to sit back, sing along and rock out with the students when they perform School of Rock in the Ian Whykes Theatre at 10 Camerons Road, Healesville.
The students perform Thursday 25 August, Friday 26 August and Saturday 27 August at 7pm.
Tickets are available at healesvillehs.vic.edu.au
