The spirit of Dracula is being brought to life at St Machar Academy as pupils prepare to take part in this year's Rock Challenge 2007 on Monday.
The team from St Machar are hoping to repeat their success from last year, when they finished first overall in their heat at Aberdeen's Music Hall.
Pupils and staff have been working hard on their spooky new production, which is split into three dramatic scenes.
All the pupils are in S3-S6, with several working as backstage crew and the others showcasing their acting and dance skills on stage.
The short performance piece starts in Dracula's castle, with henchmen, animals and Brides of Dracula, then moves to the street.
As the tension mounts, the audience is then transported back to Dracula's castle, where events take a huge turn for the worse...
Pat Innes, Principal Teacher of Drama, said the piece was centred around a tragedy to illustrate their message – "Bad things happen to good people".
“The cast members range from S3 to S6, which has encouraged interaction of different age groups as well as allowing the pupils to make new friends," she said.
“We did extremely well last year, finishing first overall in our section and also scooping the award for Spirit of Rock Challenge and prize for best stage crew, best drama skills and best video performance, and we hope to be successful again this time.
"However, the day is also about the experience for the kids and creating a buzz in the school and a really positive and constructive atmosphere."
The Northsound Rock Challenge event will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Monday (February 12) and the teams are all putting the finishing touches to their emotive performances, which will address a range of powerful themes.
In the City, Northfield and Oldmachar academies are also taking part, alongside Banff Academy, Braeview Academy in Dundee, Ellon Academy, Fraserburgh Academy, Keith Grammar School, Lossiemouth High School, Mackie Academy, Peterhead Academy and Turriff Academy.
The UK Rock Challenge – part of the wider Global Rock Challenge – is a chance for secondary children to take part in a dance, drama and design spectacular while having fun and making healthy lifestyle choices.
As well as challenging students and teachers to create their own stage production, the event challenges participants to “be the best that they can” without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs – and there are penalties for anyone who fails that challenge on the day.
Each team – which can include up to 100 performers, as well as stage and support crew – has to decide on a theme.
They then have to create the choreography for their five to eight-minute dance and drama performance, choose the music for their soundtrack, design their sets and make their own costumes.
On Monday, the competing schools will get together for a day of fun rehearsals. In the evening, they will perform to a huge audience of friends and family and members of the public.
Their performances will be judged by a panel of performing arts experts and the winning team will be invited to take part in the Northern Grand Final in Grimsby in May, with the chance to scoop a cheque and other prizes.
Last year, St Machar Academy's dance drama piece, entitled A Better Tomorrow, impressed the judges with its message that alcohol, drugs and violence have destroyed families, and everyone must work together to undo past mistakes.
Councillor Pam MacDonald, convener of Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Leisure Committee, said: “The Rock Challenge is an extremely worthwhile event with a very positive ethos, as well as encouraging friendship and developing performance skills. Good luck to all our teams!”
The UK Rock Challenge is supported in 2007 by the Be Your Best Foundation. For more information, log on to http://www.rockchallenge.co.uk
For more information please call Pat Innes on 01224 492855.
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE
Shona Hendry – (01224) 522921 – February 9, 2007
