Newbridge College has a rich and vibrant history of Musical Theatre within the school community. Our production team each year is passionate about the power of performance as a means for social inclusion to aid development of self-confidence, self-expression and teamwork through the medium of dance, drama and song.
Over the years Newbridge College has been highly successful in staging ambitious productions. Each year staff and students alike spend months of time and labour preparing, perfecting and presenting their efforts. The School Musical truly is a wonderful school event with input emerging from the whole school in all areas of the show including directing, music, producing, props, costume, art design, back stage and make up to name just a few.
Students from 1st, 2nd, TY and 5th year are all eligible to audition for the show in early September with rehearsals commencing soon after. Rehearsals take place three nights a week from 5.30pm to 8.30pm for approximately ten weeks in the run up to the show. The production team consciously promote the inclusion of students from widely varying musical backgrounds and levels of experience on stage.
The Cast for each year’s show runs to 120 students approximately – which results in an absolute feast of colour and melody for the eyes and ears. Our musical productions take place towards the end of October running for three nights and two matinees (for local primary schools), playing to a full theatre.
Some past productions include; “Back to the 80’s”, “Cinderella”, “Shrek”, “High School Musical”, “Les Misérables” , “Sister Act” and many more. The role of the school musical provides a valuable experience for all students from those with lead roles to students who run our backstage and front of house teams.
We are incredibly proud of our annual school musical and the opportunities it affords to every student at Newbridge College to excel within the framework of the extra-curricular programme. Taking part in the school musical builds confidence, teamwork and leadership skills which equip our students for the future in every area they enter into socially and academically, both inside and outside of the school.