20 Mar 2013
Rehearsing with director Andy Carolan (third from left) are students Pearl Mason, Jessie Bonser, Rosa Williams, Kaitlin James and Sam Read.
There is an air of excitement running through the classrooms and corridors at Dubbo College Delroy Campus as students and teachers get busy with rehearsals for a school musical. Even former College student and Senior Campus arts captain Andy Carolan has a bounce in his step as he directs the action in the Maverick Musical Super Stars, set to explode on to the stage in May.
The musical production, with a cast and crew of more than 80 students, began with auditions at the end of last year, according to production manager Deborah Dawson.
"We began auditioning for the main speaking parts last term and this term we have incorporated many of our new Year 7 students into the production," she said.
"The musical itself follows the story of five finalists competing for places in a talent show, much along the lines of X Factor or Australian Idol. Andy Carolan and I looked at a range of scripts but this Maverick Musical proved to be the most engaging for our students. There are talent show judges, pushy showbiz parents and plenty of corruption along the way."
Lead actors in the musical include Tia-Lee McMulkin-Fairley, Harry Jackson, Bradley Stanley, Sarah Toohey and Danae Kelly, as well as Rosa Williams, Pearl Mason and Jessie Bonser.
Since completing Year 12 at the College Andy Carolan has been heavily involved in developing and bringing youth theatre to the stage in Dubbo. As director, Andy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the musical and is volunteering his time to his former school.
"It's great to see Delroy tackling its own production," he said. "The kids are revelling in it and making the most of the opportunities afforded by live theatre. There is so much creative ability in the school and I think it's great to be able to showcase students' talents."
While Andy is director and Deborah Dawson manages production, music teacher Lyndal Powderly is the musical director for Super Stars. Rehearsals will continue in the coming weeks, leading up to the performances in Term II.