This successful and invigorating production was the culmination of 4 months of hard work from our Year 9 and Year 10 Performing Arts students, Drama Club and Band members. The Performing Arts students completed this work as part of their BTEC Performing Arts course of study and have been formally assessed through the initial workshops in acting, dancing and singing, the rehearsal process and ultimately in the performances themselves. Their dedication, motivation and outstanding engagement in this production are testament to their desire to attain the highest grades and showcase their talents.

There are so many people to thank for making this production possible: Student Services and our wonderful Office Staff for selling tickets; our Site team for their ongoing maintenance support and entrusting me with screwdrivers, plungers and the like; our Design Technology department for the set and their students for their artistic skills, our Front of House staff for supporting us in welcoming our audiences; the staff here at Blacon High School for releasing students for dress and technical rehearsals; our technicians for their skill and support in rehearsals and performance; our performers in the Band and on stage, and in particular our guest musicians, for their dedication in rehearsals and performances. Invaluable and immeasurable support came from Stephanie Wright and Kyle Hill, final year students from the University of Chester, who joined the Department in January and have worked diligently and rigorously to deliver workshops and support in rehearsals and performances. My final thank you is to our audiences for supporting us in showcasing our talented students and joining us for our performances. I do hope to see you in the audience for our productions in November.

Our next project for Year 9 Performing Arts is a collection of spooky tales, incorporating performances from our BTEC Performing Arts and BTEC Music students.

Year 10 Performing Arts students will be performing 2 plays on November 11 2014 at The Contact Theatre Manchester as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival: Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet.