Performer Kay Armstrong leads HSC drama students into a fun and interactive activity which taught them to use their bodies as a means of communicating to each other
Close to 40 HSC drama students from five CEDP Catholic Colleges visited St John Paul II Nirimba Campus at a recent HSC Drama Day for an exciting opportunity to network with schools across the Diocese and learn from a working artist.
The students from Marian Catholic College Kenthurst, St John Paul II Catholic College Nirimba, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, Bede Polding Catholic College Windsor and Nagle Catholic College Blacktown all met for the workshop which was facilitated by CAPTIVATE, the Creative and Performing Arts unit of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta, and run by independent performer Kay Armstrong.
CAPTIVATE Specialist Teacher - Drama, Natasha Beaumont, said the focus of the day was on collaboration and building ensemble skills.
"It was a great opportunity for the students to build their own physical creativity amongst their peers in an environment outside of their comfort zone," Ms Beaumont said.
"I want to teach the students to be comfortable in themselves and to know there is no right or wrong way, when it comes to expressing yourself honestly" - Kay Armstrong
"This is the third year we have run a drama intensive day for our HSC students and I find it is a great opportunity for students to share their knowledge with each other. A lot of the students don’t know each other and it is interesting to see how they interact and do the activities amongst a new crowd of like minded peers," Ms Beaumont said.
Professional performer Kay Armstrong took the students through their paces teaching them to get in touch with how they can use their body as a tool for communicating authentically. "Ninety-five percent of communication is non verbal. A lot of truth can be seen in our physical presence," Mrs Armstrong said.
"I have found with the use of social media, young people rely on outside validation when it comes to their creative endeavours. I want to teach the students to be comfortable in themselves and to know there is no right or wrong way, when it comes to expressing yourself honestly," she said.
Year 12 student Mikayla Morgan from Penola Catholic College Emu Plains said she was really keen to attend the Drama Day and meet other students from the Diocese. “I have learnt that no matter what you do as long as you give it a go and put energy into it you can’t go wrong," Mikayla said.
Teagan Van Der Burg from Bede Polding Catholic College Windsor, said she was hopeful the day would teach her how to work collaboratively with her classmates and together they could take back to their classroom the new techniques for their group performances.
Now the challenge for the students is to take what they have learnt and implement it into their HSC drama performances. Can’t wait to see what they come up with!
"I have learnt that no matter what you do as long as you give it a go and put energy into it you can’t go wrong" - Penola Catholic College Year 12 student Mikayla Morgan
