05 March 2010
Brescia House, a Catholic school in Bryanston, saw five performances of the 1977 musical, Annie, brought to life on their stage from 17-20 February 2010. What a pleasure it was to meet the stars, both on and backstage, at this all girls’ school.
Gail Jacobs with her fantastic team of girls
Do you remember those school years? For many the arts were an extra mural activity, but for others the very foundation that led them to be today’s top lighting designer, rental company owners, stage directors or even actors.
Isn’t there always a teacher who manages to inspire and motivate, to develop and grow the love for plays and musicals? DWR Distribution has enjoyed the pleasure of working alongside such teachers, namely Gail Jacobs (Director of Music) and Heather Auchterlonie (Lighting and Backstage), who have been involved with productions at Brescia House for the past 15 years. The students involved with Annie, as is often found, are a consistent group who joined the drama group in grade 8 and stayed right up till matric!
Gail Jacobs (Director of Music) and Heather Auchterlonie (Lighting & Backstage) The musical Annie, due to the show’s reputation, high standard and accessibility to people of all ages, proved to be a hit. Apparently a grade three pupil was heard saying, “I thought I was in the movies!”
While the reviews and response has been fantastic, little do people know what a remarkable amount of discipline it took for these young artists to make sure the nights were as successful as they were. Rehearsals, over and above homework and any other sporting activities, started at the end of September. Practices were held four nights a week usually from 6pm to 8pm.
You may be asking yourself about the equipment used. Admittedly, many of the fixtures at Brescia are from years gone by. However, due to an infrastructure that preserves and appreciates what is available, you will find followspots, twenty plus years old, still in immaculate condition. Gail Jacobs says she only needs to pick up the phone to DWR, and any fixtures that do need extra attention are seen to by the boys, Bruce Riley or Eazy Moeketsi. “I know that Brescia is very small stuff in the bigger picture of your business, but we always receive the best and most efficient response when we need it,” she said. “I have needed help twice in the past week to sort out the lighting for our major production and the response has been overwhelming. Thank you to you and your team.”
While student Danielle Farrell did not have the spotlight on her, she correctly aimed her followspot on the actors on stage and they were lit perfectly every time! Danny started working with the followspots, as a followspot assistant, last year, but her future plans include swopping her fixture for a torch as she chooses Wildlife Conservation for her career.
Other girls in the lighting team, all under Heather Auchterlonie, included Celine Langlois, Stacey Patrick, Claudia Des Fontain, Jade Whittock and Neisha Clemson.
From the team who made up Annie, with thanks to teacher Rayzelle Sham who directed and choreographed the show, there seem to be an emergence of future lawyers, accountants and a spectrum of careers. We hope that from the excellence of their most recent production, that there will be at least one pupil who will follow their heart and step into the arts.