13: The Musical – Student-led production

Even before we decided which musical to perform, there were many meetings dedicated to planning and discussion. Once 13 The Musical was chosen, the theatre crew began the casting process and assigned roles. After that, preparation officially began. Throughout the four months of preparation, there were many ups and downs, but with the workload divided among three crews, the process was as smooth and organized as possible.

The theatre crew was responsible for the acting and would ultimately be in the spotlight during the performances. With Bea and Diana co-directing, everything was carefully planned. Cast members practiced their lines at home and rehearsed during CCA sessions every Tuesday and Friday. Rayssa taught the choreography to the performers, while Ms. Mel consistently provided guidance and support for the leaders and the students throughout the process.

As for the band, Jasmine and I organized which songs would be performed in the final production and distributed parts among the band members so they could practice individually. The band then came together during additional CCA sessions to rehearse as a group. Whenever members had questions or needed assistance, they could turn to Ms. Maiava or any of the band leaders for support.

Lastly, the creative crew played an equally essential role. During CCA periods, members worked together to plan, sketch, and paint the various backdrops used throughout the musical. Under the leadership of Edmara and Kasia, the process remained organized and efficient. With the help of all crew members and Ms. Cathy, the final set designs came together beautifully.

As the four-month preparation period came to an end, all three crews combined their efforts in the theatre for full run-through rehearsals. During these rehearsals, the theatre crew performed their scenes while the band played live music and the creative crew changed the backgrounds to match each scene.

Overall, all the hard work and collaboration resulted in the amazing production of 13 The Musical, which was performed on the 14th and 15th of May. In the end, everyone was proud of and satisfied with the final performance.