By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THEY may have been born in the ’90s, but students at St John’s Regional College in Dandenong know how to belt out an ’80s tune.
Year 12 music students Jordan Vardon, Reece Lawlor and Monica Nguyen will be front and centre on the Drum Theatre’s stage as the cast of 63 band together to perform hit songs Material Girl, Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Nine to Five and We Are The World.
This year the whole school event has allowed students to take on the roles normally reserved for teachers and the school’s Cara Stewart said the program doesn’t even mention a teacher’s name.
“It’s all about our students,” she said.
In his first experience as a conductor, Jordan will be in charge of an eight-piece band and with the touch of his hand he will open the show.
“Jordan sings the first line to Wake Me Up Before You Go Go and is the first student to conduct the musical at St John’s – this year there are a lot of firsts,” Cara said.
Teams of students have taken control of the entire performance from promotions to make-up and even singing tuition.
“Leads Monica and Reece have been coaching singing with the younger students, a Year 12 student has done a lot of the choreography and another Year 12 drama student is stage managing this year instead of a teacher,” Cara said.
Drumming since the age of five, musical conductor Jordan said the experience has created an all-singing, all-dancing family within the school.
“I know what it’s like being behind a drum kit, live on stage and the stress of it so it’s worked out really well because we all understand each other and the communication is really strong,” Jordan said of his new role.
The team of almost 100 students will perform the hit musical ‘Back To The ’80s’ at the Drum Theatre on Thursday 13, Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August.
