This outstanding achievement reflects Nate’s dedication and talent. Nate shared, “Drama has always been a passion of mine, and studying it at JHS has allowed me to dive deep into both the practical and theoretical aspects. I’ve enjoyed learning how and why performances are staged and refining my skills in acting. The course covers so much, from studying diverse cultural dramas to honing my acting abilities—it provides a comprehensive understanding of all elements of theatre production and performance.”
Nate’s journey to OnSTAGE was both rewarding and challenging. “Throughout the year, I reviewed numerous scripts, searching for the right monologue for me,” he said. “I explored different characters and researched historical profiles until I found The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a story that immediately captivated me. The piece required intense physicality and characterisation, as I essentially performed as two distinctly different characters, exploring themes of duality, good, and evil. It was both exciting and challenging.”
The journey of HSC Drama is no easy feat, involving balancing performance with theory and intense character work. Nate described the difficulty of condensing a complex, 100-page story into an eight-minute performance, a process that required extensive editing and adaptation. This dedication has clearly paid off, and Nate hopes to pursue acting professionally, crediting his experience at JHS and the networking and performance opportunities he’s gained as invaluable. Nate explained, “Jindabyne High has helped in so many ways to prepare for my future in acting. The Drama department is exceptional, and teachers like Roberta Worlsey and Hannah Moloney are incredibly supportive, cherish our passion, and always encourage us to reach our full potential. Thanks to JHS, I’ve gained invaluable knowledge, experience, and connections, including opportunities to perform in Sydney and network with industry professionals. The lessons I’ve learnt, and people I’ve met have helped me to hopefully pursue a career in the acting industry.”
Nate wasn’t alone in his success this year; Lachlan Williamson and Owen Thrum were also nominated for OnSTAGE for their monologues. Lachlan, inspired by Timothée Chalamet’s role in Prodigal Son, chose a piece that allowed him to explore a range of emotions, different from the intense roles he’s previously performed. “The IP [Individual Project] provided a self-driven project of my own interest,” he shared, “and the GP [Group Project] was great for sharing the excitement of our major performances with a wonderful group of people.” Lachlan also shared that ”although I am unsure of what I want to do after school, if I choose to go into a creative field like performance my experiences at JHS will help me a great deal as it has taught me how to prepare a role, work with others, and tell a story. I believe my experiences with HSC Drama will also help me with current and future filmmaking, helping me direct actors, and engage the audience.” Balancing the excitement of performing with the demands of theory work was a challenge for both Nate, Lachlan and Owen, yet they delivered incredible results, representing the depth of talent within our Drama program.
Our HSC Drama students weren’t the only ones recognised for their talent this year. Year 12 Information Technology - Timber students Jesse Chatten and Henry Craig were also nominated for the OnSTAGE equivalent in Design and Technology, SHAPE 2024. Jesse’s Japanese Style Coffee Table and Henry’s Entertainment Unit were recognised for their excellence in design and craftsmanship. This double recognition across Drama and Technology speaks volumes about the dedication and creativity of this year’s graduating class.
Congratulations to Nate, Lachlan, Owen, Jesse, and Henry on their accomplishments. These achievements highlight the exceptional talent and hard work of our students and the invaluable guidance from their teachers and families. We are immensely proud and look forward to seeing where their skills will take them!
