800 feet are set to burst onto the stage this weekend when the students of the Thirroul Dance Academy present their 15th Annual concert extravaganza, Musical Mayhem.
And their smiles are brighter than any spotlight!
There will be twirling tutus, beautiful ballet slippers and the click clack of the tappers as they wait patiently side stage.
More than 400 students are taking part in this year’s ‘Musical Mayhem’.
With hairspray at the ready, lipsticked lips, buns pulled tight and too much excitement to bare, the event means a long day of dancing for even the littlest performers.
Dancers as young as three will take part in the concert. And with more than 90 classes offered through TDA every week, as well as more than 40 private lessons, there are a lot of dancers to squeeze into the review.
Musical Mayhem is a combination of everyone’s favourite musicals including timeless classics West Side Story and Chicago, alongside modern musical adaptations the Lion King and Matilda.
Perfect, because this year, for the first time, the concert includes TDA’s musical theatre students.
Preparation for the concert begins with studio owner Katie Reid, who is the brains behind the operation.
Katie says firstly, she has to choose the theme. “I need to have the idea by the April school holidays,” she says. “Then I start on the music and thematic development, before I start giving the music out to the teachers.”
She says coming up with a theme comes in no logical form. “It happens sort of by accident really,” she laughs. “and then the concert comes together as if by magic!”
When asked her favourite part of the process, Katie can’t answer! “As the concert gets closer I have no favourite parts, she laughs. “At the moment, everything is making me cranky! But everything is always great on the day.”
“Actually, I really like picking and choosing the music for the show, particularly for the performance groups, TDA’s Talent Development Program.”
The show is about to begin, and it’s not too late to join the proud parents and grandparents in supporting the dancers (or to laugh at the sulky bothers, dragged along against their wishes).
There will be two performances of Musical Mayhem on Sunday November 29 at IPAC
Tickets are still available at www.merrigong.com.au
Story and Photo by Bronte Yarrow
