DRAMA
Drama is an exciting part of the curriculum and co-curricular activities
at Avila.
Apart from being great fun, it nurtures in students invaluable skills such as self-confidence, articulation, leadership qualities, team work, and responsibility as well as more creative-based talents.
Drama is compulsory in the Junior School and offered as an elective at Years 9 and 10. For those students who continue with drama at VCE level, they undertake both a written and performance examination and are fully prepared for entry into a university drama course or equivalent, if desired.
Avila's drama program is extensive and incorporates many elements such as script work, voice, movement, improvisation, individual and group performances, and character work. Visiting artists present their work at the College and students also attend outside professional theatre performances.
Co-curricular drama events and activities, and the College Drama Club are an important part of the Avila culture.
One of the highlights of the school calendar is the annual Creative Arts Festival which is a showcase of students' talents in drama, dance and music. More than 400 students are involved in the production, both on stage and behind-the-scenes.
Year 11 and 12 students present a senior production every second year - this year's production was Hecuba, a powerful one-act play by Euripides, one of the masters of Greek tragedy.
MATCO (the Mazenod Avila Theatre Company) provides students with further performance opportunities. Each year students from Avila and Mazenod pool their talents for an annual musical extravaganza and their shows have included My Fair Lady, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, HMS Pinafore, The Boyfriend, West Side Story, and South Pacific.
