By Tom Simpson
Greek mythology is widely renowned for tales of heroics, epic sacrifices and great battles. But how many people get to experience the thrill of these ancient tales up close?
My name is Tom, a Year 11 student at Bayside P–12 College. Each year, a group of skilled teachers such as Ms Hatz, Mr Berry, Mr Joanides and the returning Mr Hnatejko organise and inspire a group of students to put on a spectacular performance. And this year, a new cast of 70 students unite to portray an age-old story.
Our play brings to life the famous epic story of Homer’s The Odyssey. It is an ambitious project, performed by a dedicated group of students with the help of a few dedicated ex-students. It is a richly layered experience that combines live performance, creative interpretation with modern musical adaptations and immersive storytelling that bring Homer’s epic to life in a compelling and nuanced way.
We take the audience on a journey through King Odysseus’ adventure, who after fighting in the Trojan War for 10 years, seeks to return to his homeland, the island of Ithaca, to reunite with his wife and son; battling monsters and the wrath of the vengeful god Poseidon along the way. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope fends off many power-hungry suitors trying to obtain her hand in marriage, assuming Odysseus has died.
Our director, Ms Hatz runs intensive workshops that culminate in casting decisions and interesting dramatic scenes. We worked on developing dialogue, dances, writing scenes and montage sequences, with guidance from our dedicated teachers. The extensive rehearsal process brings challenges and opportunities for growth, pushing us to develop as performers and individuals. We dedicate countless hours preparing for our show season in August. The play always feels like you’re working on something that is bigger than yourself.
My first experience of the play happened by accident. I turned up to the Senior Campus wanting to audition for a drumming part in the school production band, but I was unfamiliar with the layout of Paisley Campus and I ended up wandering into the rehearsal room. From then on I became a part of the school production each year and have ended up choosing to study VCE drama.
Our director Ms Hatz compared our journey to that of Odysseus, facing modern-day monsters and challenges, like balancing schoolwork, and constant distractions that steer us off course; and learning how to deal with disappointments and hurdles life throws at us. And most importantly the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and self-belief.
“The creativity that students bring to our rehearsals inspires a fresh perspective. Students are engaged in every aspect of the development process –it is an organic collaborative experience, with students heavily involved in shaping ideas, choreographing dances, and workshopping character development. Everyone’s input is valued, making the final product truly a collective creation,” says Ms Hatz.
“The production process builds a strong community that brings together not only the students in the cast but also the crew, teachers, parents, ex-students, and the wider school community. One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience is the sense of camaraderie that develops among the cast and crew. Our journey has seen its fair share of challenges, each one comparable to the great hurdles faced by our Greek hero but with dedication and support, you can overcome them and emerge stronger on the other side.”
Participating in The Odyssey has been an unforgettable journey. Balancing school, the play, and life could be stressful, but it served as a fantastic outlet over the years. While it was challenging at times, the experience is well worth it. Through this process, I developed coping skills, enhanced my memory, gained a sense of responsibility, learned the importance of teamwork, and discovered the value of hard work and creativity, to name a few. Thus far, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved as a cast and crew, and the lessons learned will definitely stay with me into my adulthood.
The Odyssey is performing at THE ALTONA CITY THEATRE . AUGUST 21st, 22nd and 23rd
Tickets are available on Trybooking – trybooking.com/CTBNI
