Ruapehu College wins stage challenge

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 584, 2 May 1995, Page 1

Ruapehu College wins stage challenge

The Ruapehu College Stage Challenge performers held their breath as results of the contest were announced in Palmerston North last Monday evening and it tumed out to be for good reason. After an energetic and polished performance they were awarded first place in a competition which is becoming more ehallenging and exciting every year. This win brought with it a framed gold CD and a cash prize of $500 for their school. As well as beirig the overall winner of the Palmerston North competition, the College' s entry entitled 'Evolve It ! ' was voted by the four judges on the night to have the best lighting design, best original choreography, best original concept and best set and staging design. Dancers, backstage crew, staff, parents and supporters were delighted with the win. Second place went to Palmerston North Girls High School with their colourful entry about the Y ear of Maori Language and third place went to Feilding Agricultural High School. Competition from the larger city schools is especially formidable for rural students who are not continually exposed to dance and drama in theatre situations. For Ruapehu College students the prepa-

ration began with auditions at the end of February. Rehearsals started in earnest three times a week at the beginning of March and have meant a big time commitment after school and at weekends since. All work on costumes and staging was done on a voluntary basis by parents, teachers and senior students, with the sixth form art class painting most of the set. The performers themselves designed and screen printed T-shirts for the whole cast to wear to Palmerston North which depict the story told in their dance. Palmerston North last Monday was not only about winning - it was learning about theatre, lighting, sound, television, it was about being appreciative of other sehools performances and making new friendships with performers from other schools present - Feilding Agricultural High School, Wanganui Girls High School, Palmerston North Girls High School, Queen Elizabeth College and Waverley High School. On 4 June at 5pm a special television programme will judge the best New Zealand school in the 1995 Smokefree Stage Challenge based on the videos made at each of the seven venues around the country-