Stage Challenge

Stage Challenge is produced every year by a group of senior students. Open to all comers, it provides an opportunity to be part of a New Zealand-wide performance event. The school’s philosophy is to make Stage Challenge student-focused. Year 12 and 13 students produce, direct, design, and choreograph Onslow’s entry, and performers from every year level are encouraged to participate. Recent performances include Safe Sex in 2005; Alice In Wonderland (3rd place) in 2006; Life’s A Game – Play It in 2007; Edward: A Hand to Accept (3rd place) in 2008; and What Does Your Heart Desire? in 2009. Onslow's 2008 and 2009 Stage Challenge entries were produced by members of the 12 Performing Arts Production course.

Major Production

The major production is a regular fixture on Onslow College’s cultural calendar. It’s a chance for actors, musicians, dancers, creative team members, technical team members and backstage crew to enjoy the buzz of being part of a big show. Like Stage Challenge, the major production is open to any students. Recent musicals include Les Miserables (2010), Jesus Christ Superstar (2009), Fiddler On The Roof (2007), Cabaret (2006) and Guys And Dolls (2005). The Music and Drama departments work closely together to produce the musical.

Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival

Tackling ‘The Bard’: a 15 minute extract from a Shakespeare play is rehearsed, and then performed at the annual Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival. Students can also enter with a 5 minute student-directed performance. Again, all students are welcome to audition. Onslow College regularly participates in the Festival, with performances of scenes from A Midsummer Nights' Dream, Richard the Third and Much Ado About Nothing in 2009, Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew in 2008 (with the latter being selected for the National Festival), Titus Andronicus and Richard the Third in 2007, Coriolanus and Timon of Athens in 2006, and A Midsummer Nights’ Dream and Romeo and Juliet in 2005.

Curricular Drama

Drama is offered from years 9 to 13. NCEA drama is taught from year 11 to 13.

Every drama class puts on a play as part of their course. From years 10 to 13, these plays are public performances. Recent plays (2005 – 2009) include The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, East by Steven Berkoff, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, Cosi by Louis Nowra, Ophelia Thinks Harder and Camelot School by Jean Betts, The Birthday Party and The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter, Easy Virtue by Noel Coward, Pack of Girls by David Geary, Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo, Shudder by Pip Hall, Confusions by Alan Ayckbourn, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertold Brecht, Absolutely! (Perhaps) by Luigi Pirandello, and Cow and Fold by Jo Randerson.

There is a strong focus in the department’s teaching and learning on self-management and groupwork skills. Students are encouraged to set and attain goals as individuals and as a community.

Dance

Dance is an expanding subject area at Onslow. It is currently offered at years 9 and 10, with the intention to build the programme to include NCEA dance in the future.