STUDENTS at Kerang Christian College have been busy since the start of the school year preparing a musical show for the community.
The free performance of ‘Jailhouse Rock! Shake, Rattle and Roll’ will be staged on Friday, August 2, 7pm, at the Kerang Memorial Hall.
It is the first time since 2018 the school has been able put on a production, and there is much excitement and nerves as the day approaches for the curtain to go up.
All students are involved in the production with the Year Five and Six students taking on many of the lead roles.
There has been a lot of help from staff and parents with costumes and the all important behind the scenes work that goes into bringing a show to life.
The upbeat musical Jailhouse Rock! Shake, Rattle and Roll follows the plight of a group of children attending an outdoor camp only to be trapped indoors by torrential rain.
The group, stranded in the mess hall, feel like they are locked up, and to help combat this feeling the camp director and the junior councillors entertain the children with stories about characters from the Bible such as Paul, Silas and Peter who experienced imprisonment.
Teacher Brooke Nitschke said the children are really enjoying getting the production together with one of the highlights when the costumes were handed out.
“In school some students don’t always do well with their writing and maths but when you do a play with all the action and physical activity those kids start to shine,” Ms Nitschke said.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids who find the academic part of school difficult to have a really good success story.
“The message of the play is that in whatever circumstances you try to find contentment, joy and happiness.”
School principal Lance Davidson said that over the last few weeks the school has held full rehearsals with continuous improvement.
“The memorial hall is very large so there will be plenty of seats, and the performance will be followed by a supper,” he said.
“Everyone is welcome, there are no tickets that need be purchased with people able to walk in on the night.”