KES Students Take to the Stage for Amazing Annie Jr. Performance

On the evenings of Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th March, students at King Edward VII Academy delighted audiences in the Main Hall with an excellent performance of Annie Jr. The production included students from Years 7 to 12, and was accompanied by professional sound and lighting.

The students involved were given a taste of what it's like to perform in a professional production, including the initial audition process, through to rehearsals and the final performances. The cast made the most of the opportunity to refine their talents, developing their singing voices and learning choreography. 

Those that weren’t in the production cast were able to be involved in all exemplary aspects that take place behind the scenes which included creating sets and props, managing the stage, and constructing costumes, as well as assisting with hair and make-up. The production has been an fantastic group effort. 

The musical has been a family-favourite performance on Broadway for many years, and is based on the cartoon strip ‘Little Orphan Annie’, a Depression-era rags-to-riches story of an orphan who yearns to escape from the horrible orphanage that she resides in. 

Principal of King Edward VII Academy, Sarah Hartshorn said:

“Last night I had the pleasure of watching the first school production at KES in 9 years. The performance of Annie was so heart-warming to watch. It was wonderful to see our students grow in confidence before our eyes, it truly was a sight to see! We have so much talent at the school that can now be harnessed through our performing arts curriculum and utilise the amazing new drama studios and theatre we are fortunate to have. This is the first of a new yearly tradition. We started on a strong foundation; I can't wait to see it continue to shine!”

Ms Clarke, Co-Director of the production said:

“It has been wonderful developing the performance of Annie Jr. The students have shown dedication, resilience, and determination throughout the rehearsal process and I couldn't be prouder of how far they have come. Having only recently brought back the performing arts to KES, it has been wonderful seeing the students thrive in the arts and improve their confidence both on and off stage. 

 

As a teacher, one of the most rewarding things to see is students improving, and there really is no better way to see that than developing a show! The students involved should be so proud of themselves, showcasing their incredible talent to their peers, parents and staff, and I'm so proud of how brilliant and brave they are.”