At the beginning of term 3, myself and the year 13 drama class began rehearsing the two plays that were chosen by Mr Meissel for us to be directed in for our acting assessments. The plays that were chosen were Abandon Hope by Bronwyn Ellsmore and Breaking News by Angie Farrow. We spent the start of term 3 reading through the plays before beginning to block out movements and actions in the space as directed by Mr Meissel. 

Over the term 3 holidays we had a few rehearsals and mapped out how the sets of each play would be situated. When we came back to school in term 4 we had a week to perfect our performances before our final dress rehearsal swung around. We performed to the public three nights in a row - the 14th, 15th and 16th of October  - with Abandon Hope being performed first and Breaking News going second.

“These plays are designed to share students' work with a warm and engaged audience, usually of family and close friends. Putting them on is a nice opportunity for people who are really into theatre to see something they wouldn't normally get to see.” Mr Meissel said about the plays we put on. Performing with the year 13s was an extremely rewarding experience that I’m very grateful to have had. 

A huge thanks to Mr Meissel and my year 13 classmates Coco Lahood-Robinson, Keira Mcfadyen, Maddie Meissel, Neo Dorrepaal, Aarliyah Herbert-Nico, Tahlia Curtain, Michaela Patterson and Ellie King.

Ngā Mihi Nui,

Elsie Jack, the resident year 11 of the year 13 drama class 2025.