Whodunit Theme Sparks Creativity at Waitaki Girls’ High Event

The annual interhouse drama and dance competition at Waitaki Girls’ High School embraced the classic “Whodunit” theme, showcasing student creativity through a range of performances. Titles such as Til Death Do Us Part, The Masked-Up Murderer, Clued Up, and Meow-der Murder provided a platform for senior students to interpret the theme in imaginative ways. This fully student-driven evening highlighted the talents in script writing, directing, and choreography.

Adjudicating the twenty-minute dramas was a challenging task for drama judge Robyn Keno, while the dance performances were assessed by Tannah Adam. According to Sherilyn Hellier, the director of arts at the school, there was a notable increase in student participation this year, with larger casts and dance crews than in previous events.

“Some hidden talent emerges, and when disguised in costume and makeup, the girls can really immerse themselves in character and display their acting skills,” Hellier noted. This enthusiasm was evident throughout the performances, which captivated both judges and audience members alike.

In a competitive evening, Wilson House took home several awards, including best direction, best choreography, and the Kirkness Shield for overall points. Gibson House secured the trophy for best script, while Molly O’Sullivan from Ferguson House was honored as best actress.

In addition to the drama competition, students from the Year 13 English class participated in a creative activity to commemorate National Poetry Day, which fell on August 22, 2023. They penned poems about their favorite places and displayed them in chalk outside the school a day earlier to align with their class schedule.

“It’s just a bit of fun, but of course, it’s for National Poetry Day, and Janet Frame was a student here,” remarked Lynda Scott Araya, an English teacher at the school. The blend of drama and poetry highlights the vibrant artistic culture at Waitaki Girls’ High School, encouraging students to express their creativity in diverse forms.