Anticipation has been building over the last few weeks as the Clarendon community looks forward to the annual Performing Arts Showcase. Tomorrow night, students will take to the stage at Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts after months of rehearsal and refining their dance, drama and music skills.
This year, the theme is Born to Perform, featuring almost 400 students with the support of dedicated staff. Involving all students who participate in Middle and Senior School ensembles and dance troupes, as well as the Junior School Choir and some Junior String players, this year’s Showcase promises to amaze and entertain audiences.
The 2023 Year 12 Performing Arts Leaders, Will Drury, Meg Geljon and Arannatee Farid, can’t wait to perform in their last Clarendon Showcase.
Will Drury, who commenced at Clarendon in the Early Learning Centre, has been drumming for as long as he can remember. This year, he’ll perform in the Barry Currie Stage Band, Feet, Senior Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra.
“In my opinion, Showcase is the highlight of the performing arts calendar,” said Will. “Not only is it the thrill of performing that makes Showcase so special, but also the atmosphere and enthusiasm shown backstage by people who want to put on a fantastic show for the rest of the Clarendon Community.”
Meg Geljon has performed in Showcase each year she’s been at Clarendon. Tomorrow night, she’ll appear in the Senior School Choir, perform a Michael Jackson medley with Feet and sing Don’t Rain On My Parade with four other Year 12 students.
“This year’s theme, Born to Perform, resonates with me as it reflects the hard work that every student involved has put into rehearsal and, without that, we would not have the ability to showcase our talents on stage,” said Meg. “This Showcase is also particularly special to me as it is the last I’ll perform in and the last major event of the year before our Year 12 graduation.”
Arannatee Farid has been playing music since she was little and credits her love of the performing arts to the support of Clarendon and its performing arts community. Her involvement includes the Clarinet Ensemble, Feet, Graeme Vendy Symphonic Band and Saxophone Ensemble.
“Born to Perform is the culmination of the hard work, determination and passion that goes into performing arts in our community,” said Arannatee. “As someone who’s been involved in every showcase since Year 5, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come, to see everyone improve and grow to love performing more and more, until it becomes second nature to get up on stage and entertain, as if we truly were born to perform. It has been a great privilege to be a part of the Clarendon performing arts and I am so proud of everything we’ve accomplished this year, from the practise rooms to the big stage.”
Tickets to the 2023 Showcase, Born to Perform, are still available via the following link https://bit.ly/3OadE2Q.
Other upcoming performing arts events include the Y7-9 Musical, The Addams Family, on 18 and 19 August and the Ballarat Clarendon College Masquerade Ball on 26 August.
Purchase your tickets to The Addams Family here.
Purchase your tickets to the Ballarat Clarendon College Masquerade Ball here.
