MAC Magazine 2018

CULTURAL
Committee
Year 13 Drama - Antigone
This year Year 13 Drama performed “Antigone” written by Sophocles, translated by Don Taylor. The class had the challenge
of interpreting a noble text and taking a symbolic, modern approach to this historical two-thousand-year-old play. There
are lots of important political messages that show woman standing up against men, gods, and the law that still rings true in
a current audience because these messages are still very important and relevant in society today. The text challenged our
interpretation and performance skills. I had the privilege of being one of the people playing the character Antigone. It was
a very challenging character that I was able to learn from, allowing me to grow in my personal integrity and skill sets as an
actor. This play allowed all of the drama students to become a lot closer by working together with such a mature piece of
text, that allowed us to be able to explore the world and its meaning. This was a very valuable performance for all of us, that
we will never forget; all the friends and the memories that we have made over the years. We of course couldn't have done it
without our amazing drama teacher/ director Emily McRae. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our class we
couldn’t have done it without you. - Casey Scurr
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Dara Beattie-Johnson Frankie Kraayvanger Luci McDougall Leo Munro-Heward Emilie Barnett
Ruth Bennie Riley Christie Casey Scurr Jessica Curtis Erina Tamati
Flynn Rosie (Absent)
The Cultural Committee at Mount Aspiring College is the committee responsible for organising
and being involved in cultural events at MAC and upholding/representing the culture of the
school. We are responsible for organising events such as house singing, MAC’s Got Talent,
musical, mufti days and more. As well as organising events such as these, we are also expected
to be involved in and promote various other cultural events within and outside of MAC such as
Rockquest, MACstock, art exhibitions and drama performances. This representation of culture
at MAC is crucial as we believe that the arts are essential to humanity and its existence. Our
objective for this year was to continue to promote and support the growth and recognition of
cultural activities.
Cultural Committee Co-Chairpeople 2018 - Riley Christie and Leo Munro-Heward
2018 has seen the Cultural Committee’s strong relationship with the International Language
Centre (ILC) continue, and has included international student representation at committee
meetings, and shared lunches to encourage student integration. The Cultural Committee and the
ILC this year both enjoyed the campus tour organised by the Cultural Committee to introduce
new students in Term 3 to MAC. This was an important step in bringing them together with the
local students, to show the cultural aspects of the school and all of the great things that MAC
has to offer. We as a Committee are looking forward to maintaining and strengthening this
relationship with the ILC in the years to come.
Year 12 Drama
Year 12 Drama Performances: This year in drama the year 12’s performed two separate plays from the Play Lunch book, Tiggy
Tiggy Touchwood and the Rosenberg sisters. Tiggy Tiggy Touchwood has a very deep story, revealing how the relationship
between Melissa Denham, partner to Jess Mackie was treated within a small community in rural NZ during the 1980s. Set
during this time, same sex relationships were extremely taboo. As a result, Melissa Denham (Jasmine Murray) struggles
beneath the community’s pressure of rehoming Tig (Stellar Nepia) into an institution, who has a deteriorating mental state
(similar to a child) as a result of serious abuse. We spent many lessons experimenting and playing in the space to find our
characters’ unique voice and body characteristics, and worked through unit by unit, often dropping the script and improvising
based off our intent. To perform these plays, while communicating the underlying layers of meaning, we were challenged to
act as characters very polar to ourselves, meaning we had to be very committed and dedicated. Emily McRae’s insight and
commitment (from analysing the scripts, shaping our characters and providing feedback and direction) was of invaluable
help. This experience has challenged us and made us closer as peers, we thoroughly enjoyed presenting and preparing for
these performances. - Stellar Nepia & Jasmine Murray
Year 11 Drama
This year the Year 11 Drama class were honoured to perform “FIND ME” by Olwyn Wymark.
This thought provoking and vulnerable text follows the true story of a young girl, Verity Taylor,
and her struggle with mental health. This play, set in the 60’s and 70’s, explores Verity’s
struggle as she seeks to be ‘found’ for who she really is. It also follows her family’s struggle
to nurture and seek help for Verity when she displays abnormal and erratic behaviour.
As a class we felt very privileged to communicate such a serious and real message to the
Wanaka community: That everyone, no matter their physical or mental ability, race, gender,
sexuality, background or beliefs should be seen for who they REALLY are, and should be
supported and encouraged to be their unique and individual selves. This piece challenged all
students involved, as the mature themes and characters broadened our acting capabilities.
We grew closer as a class through the rehearsal process and collectively felt that although
our present struggle as a society with mental health has improved since the 60’s and 70’s
there is still more acceptance to be had. As a group of individuals we gained a lot from
working on ‘FIND ME’. We were able to explore in more depth the reality and isolation people
like Verity and her family feel everyday. We also experimented with multi role playing which
helped us to think more consciously about establishing voice, body, space, and movement to
each character. We thoroughly enjoyed the learning and challenges ‘FIND ME’ had in store for
us. Definitely a highlight of my year. -Thea Erichsen
Year 11 Drama present
An Amateur Production of Find Me by special arrangement with
Samuel French Ltd and New Zealand Play Bureau Ltd.
By Olwyn Wymark
7pm
MAC Performance Room
Tuesday 4th September and Wednesday 5th September
Door Sales: Adults $10 Students $5
Due to challenging thematic material this play is only appropriate for year 10 and above
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