From the moment audiences stepped into the theatre foyer, it was clear that Holes was going to be much more than a night at the theatre.
Across five performances, the Holes production team created an immersive experience from the moment guests arrived. Elaborate backdrops and staged photo opportunities brought elements of the set into the foyer, while miniature 3D-printed lizards and shovels were among the treasures available from the Food Stall, which was made to look like a hole-in-the-wall saloon.
It felt as though every detail had been considered to draw audiences into the strange and dusty world of Camp Green Lake before they had even taken their seats.
And once they did, the immersion continued.
Orange jumpsuit-clad cast members were already among the audience as people entered the theatre. On stage, an impressive set featured actual sand-filled holes, immediately transporting the audience to the unforgiving landscape at the heart of the story. For Duncraig Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning Mrs Nicola Resta, the simplicity of the set was one of its strengths.
One of the things that stood out was the set; it was effective yet simple. It gave the audience the idea of the desert and then to have it serve as an entrance to the stage was wonderful.
The attention to detail continued behind the scenes, where students were given the opportunity to take on significant technical roles. Students Brendon Makanda from Carramar and Ethan D’Souza from Duncraig worked the production’s lighting under the guidance of the Theatre Manager, just one example of the opportunities for students to contribute to the production beyond the stage.
Of course, it was the cast who ultimately had the job of bringing Holes to life and their preparation and commitment didn’t go unnoticed by the audience or Mrs Resta.
The actors, although junior, were clearly very prepared and their passion showed through their character portrayal.
The performances were energetic and convincing, with the students committing wholeheartedly to their characters. In fact, during one particularly well-executed moment involving a shovel, more than a few audience members jumped in their seats, genuinely believing a cast member had been struck.
Thankfully, no students were harmed in the making of Holes, but it was a pretty convincing piece of theatre!
Behind those moments was an enormous amount of work. It was evident throughout the production just how much time and passion the students had invested in their roles, matched by the dedication of the staff and production team.
Led by Director Samantha Mitchell, the cross-campus production brought students and staff together to create something that extended well beyond what happened on stage.
From lighting and set design to performance and the finest details waiting in the foyer, Holes was a production built with imagination and a genuine love of theatre. And for five performances, audiences were invited to step right into the middle of it.