This year marked the 120^th Anniversary of the Launceston Drama Competitions and what a fantastic competition it has been for our school!

Prospect High School drama students enjoyed a great deal of success, earning awards across many categories.

Our entries began on Sunday night when Grade 9 student Taylah was awarded with the First Place Trophy for the ‘9/10 Creative Individual Programme’. This is a demanding event where the entrants are required to devise a performance around a central theme that must involve at least two different arts. Taylah performed an entertaining programme exploring the character of Val in A Chorus Line through a monologue and self-devised dance piece.

Our next entries were held on Monday afternoon, where Grade 7 and Grade 8 students took part in the duo/trio scripted scenes. Each of the groups performed well and were praised in particular for their staging and attention to character. A special congratulations goes to Ella and Mia who won the section! Our other groups performed well too – all earning enough points to be awarded with placings: Zeke, Jaslyn and Tessa achieved second, Lani, Erica and Jasmine third, and Chloe and Ella were recognised with a highly commended. Each student who placed were awarded with medallions, while those who achieved highly commended were presented with ribbons.

On Tuesday dance had their competitions (please see the dance report) and then in the evening Taylah again performed, participating in the impromptu reading, winning the Grade 9 monologue class and receiving second place in the Grade 9 recital for Miss Bs Student Services.

On Wednesday we participated in our final day of the drama section of the Launceston Competitions. The Grade 8 drama Class gave a strong performance in the group speaking where they recited David Walliams prose ‘Improv’ and Judith Wright’s poem ‘Brother and Sisters’ here the adjudicator again emphasised their effective staging and script interpretation and awarded them first place. After this Taylah and Imogen presented their duo scripted scene and were recognised by the adjudicator for their clear and contrasting characterisation.

After a long road of rehearsals (and a special mention to Taylah, Imogen, Zeke, Jaslyn, Lani, Jasmine and Erica who volunteered many lunch times) our overall performance at the competitions was a wonderful conclusion. I feel so proud of each of these students. It was a pleasure working with them on their pieces. To those students who missed out on the day (Chloe, Aaliyah and Ava-Lee), I also offer my congratulations on the hard work and skill that you demonstrated in the lead-up. To Ava and Tessa who came to the rescue at the last minute (with literally 10mins notice in Tessa’s case), THANK YOU! Your support enabled the others to see their hard work come to fruition.

All students who placed will be recognised in their upcoming grade assemblies, where all certificates, ribbons and medallions will be formally presented.

Mrs Viney