By Alesha Capone
A performance by students from Hoppers Crossing Secondary College has taken out several awards in the Wakakirri Story-Dance Challenge.
As the nation’s largest performing arts event for primary and secondary schools, more than 280 schools and 20,000 young people across the country have taken part in this year’s Wakakirri competition.
Every school that participates in Wakakirri must develop an original production which goes for between three to seven minutes, with its story told through dance and drama.
The Hoppers Crossing mini-production, titled Be Careful What You Whisper, focused on the impact that rumours and the digital world can have on individual reputations and the behavior young people can engage in when it comes to these issues – it showed how a simple interaction between two people can be twisted by others and aims to encourage more positive interactions between young people, particularly where social media is concerned.
During the Wakakirri heats, Hoppers Crossing Secondary College took out the state award for Best Social Media Story, in addition to Best Lighting Design and Call, Excellent Ensemble, Well-Rehearsed Performance, Excellent Group Dance, Excellent Theme/Concept and Amazing Projection.
As a result, the students will perform their showpiece at Wakakirri’s Victorian Secondary Awards Night.
All 10 schools taking part will be eligible for the Wakakirri competition’s top national award, Story of the Year.
Hoppers Crossing Secondary College Acting Principal Rod Kendall said: “We are so proud of the students and staff who are involved in this exciting program at the college.
“The opportunities that it creates for students to express themselves through performance arts during their secondary education and beyond is incredible and to be recognised year after year as being competitive at the highest level in the state is an honour.
“The competition between schools is fierce but the way in which our students come together as a unit is to be commended.
“They represent their college with pride and their ability to build the positive energy of the event amongst themselves and other school groups is universally recognised by the Wakakirri event team.”
Wakakirri’s Victorian Secondary Awards Night will be held at The Palais Theatre, St Kilda on Wednesday, September 11.
Tickets: $37, available through Ticketmaster, call 136 100.
See wakakirri.com/what-is-wakakirri for details.
