By Tyler Wright
Mount Dandenong Primary School performed in the final Showcase in national dance storytelling event Wakakirri on Monday 5 September, after performing in heats at the Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday 25 August.
Mount Dandenong Primary School students were the third to perform out of six schools at The Clocktower Centre in Moonee Ponds, presenting ‘Everybody’s Free;’ a story of isolated children who venture out of their homes and attempt to free caged animals at the zoo.
Mount Dandenong Primary School entered into the showcase after receiving the award for ‘best re-use of costumes’ and being commended for excellent performance in teamwork, excellent set movement and staging, excellent soundtrack mix, excellent theme concept and amazing lighting at the heats.
The school was also nominated for the national award under the category of an animal welfare story.
“It was a massive day…[the students] loved every moment of watching all the other schools and really enjoyed the atmosphere,” Mount Dandenong Primary School Wakakirri teacher Jody Howell told the Star Mail after the heats.
“Then getting on stage themselves just blew their little minds. I think they were really excited,” Jody said.
“I like the sound of [the awards] because it’s not just in one particular area.
To have something like set movement in staging, teamwork is a big one, theme concepts; we’ve really covered a lot of bases…I’m really proud of them.”
The results from the final showcase are set to be announced in coming week, as schools in other states finish presenting their performances.
The last time Mount Dandenong Primary School made the Wakakirri Showcase was in 2017, with their performance ‘Saving the Bees’.
