Performing Arts

The Saint Stephen’s College Performing Arts program seeks to deepen the understanding of the human spirit and behaviour through music, singing, acting, improvisation, performance, directing, dance and collective creativity. Students are encouraged to discover their world through creative platforms, empowering them with lifelong tools for their future endeavours.

Drama

Saint Stephen’s College offers Drama as an academic subject for students as part of the curriculum. Additionally, in recognition of the broader benefits Drama brings, we offer a comprehensive co-curricular program comprising productions (both musical and dramatic), and speech and drama tuition, allowing all students to hone their skills and explore their love of the arts.

Theatralis is the College’s large-scale dramatic production. Generally running every second year, the production is designed to bring original theatre to the Saint Stephen’s College community and gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their performance skills. Three plays are prepared, including a Junior (Years 7 to 8), Intermediate (Years 9 to 10) and Senior (Years 11 to 12). As well as acting on stage, there are many opportunities to participate in backstage and production roles such as lighting, sound, make-up, costume, set construction and more.

Past Drama productions have included Hospital Food, Medea, Chatroom, Frankenstein, How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying, Outback Debutante Ball and Our Story.

Co-curricular Speech and Drama

Students who study speech and drama at Saint Stephen’s College develop strong communication skills, clarity of expression and social confidence, equipping them for future educational and professional challenges. The speech and drama program incorporates mime, movement, poetry, characterisation, improvisation, theory and plays. Individual lessons in musical theatre are also on offer for interested students.

Speech and drama students are encouraged to participate in various performing arts festivals and have the option to participate in external examinations through Trinity Guildhall (London) or the Australian Speech Communication Association.

Music

Music programs at Saint Stephen’s College offer students a blend of academic curriculum plus extracurricular opportunities in string groups, bands and choral groups. Students in the Junior College enjoy exciting, engaging lessons as well as being introduced to instrumental music through the Year 3 Strings Program and Year 5 and 6 Band Program. In the Senior College, students use the core skills they have learnt in Junior College classes and apply them to new musical situations with more creative license. Students are able to study to industry standard courses including our Certificate III in Music (Performance). Run in conjunction with the Queensland College of Music, this VET course is conducted on site and encourages our musicians to develop their musicality, songwriting and on-stage performance skills.

Extracurricular Music

Saint Stephen’s College offers instrumental and vocal lessons in individual, paired or small group tuition. Many of our tutors are active performers, providing students with real world education and experiences. Extracurricular tuition is offered for:

• Piano
• Voice
• Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Woodwind (Flute, Clarinet, Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophone)
• Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba)
• Percussion (both comprehensive percussion and drumkit)
• Speech and Drama

To complement lessons, our dynamic extracurricular ensemble offerings give students the opportunity to perform in bands, orchestras, string groups, percussion groups and choirs. Our ensembles include:

Students taking extracurricular lessons are encouraged to participate in various performing arts festivals and competitions both individually and with their ensembles. Tutors will also recommend and help students prepare for exams including AMEB, Trinity and Australian Guild of Music.

Optima Programs

As part of our music excellence programs, the College also offers students the opportunity to join the Optima String Quartet and Optima Voices. The Optima String Quartet is the pinnacle of our highly accomplished and awarded Chamber Music Program which includes string duos, piano trios and string quartets. The Optima Voices is our premier vocal performance group and is made up of our strongest singers with a focus on contemporary, popular and musical theatre repertoire. Both of these programs have feeder groups in the Emerging Chamber Music and Emerging Voices Programs, which are aimed at students primarily in Years 5 to Year 9.

Productions

Musical and Drama productions are staged at the College and are a highlight of the College calendar. Saint Stephen’s College Musicals have become industry-standard productions and have won many awards. Our most recent production of Mamma Mia! was nominated for eight awards and was a finalist in five awards at the 2022 Gold Palm Theatre Awards. 2016’s Into the Woods was nominated for a record 42 awards. Many of our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in theatre, television and film productions across Australia and internationally. Old Scholars have continued their studies at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

Recent Senior College Musical productions have included All Shook Up (2024), Mamma Mia (2022), Grease the Musical (2020), Monty Python’s Spamalot (2018) and Into the Woods (2016). The Junior College has also staged some wonderful productions, most recently including Aladdin Jr (2023), Seussical Jr (2021), Mary Poppins (2019), The Lion King (2017) and The SSC Factor (2015).

Dance

Students at Saint Stephen’s College have access to a multi-award winning, commercial dance academy situated on-site. The purpose-built, state of the art facility offers classes (Dare 2 Dance) to students from Early Learning Years and Preparatory through to Year 12.

Dare 2 Dance provides a solid foundation for dance training in a fun, supportive and nurturing environment. The aim is to encourage personal development, growth and confidence in each individual dancer whether they choose to dance recreationally or strive to pursue a professional dance career. Dance teachers pride themselves on creating well-rounded, hardworking, humble, respectful and confident dancers who can adapt the skills learned in the dance studio into their everyday lives.

Many previous Dare 2 Dance students have forged successful careers in dance, as qualified dance teachers or professional dancers in Australia and internationally.

Dance classes are held before and after school in our dance studio. Tuition is offered in:

• Classical Ballet
• Jazz
• Tap
• Hip Hop
• Contemporary
• Aerobics
• Cheer
• Musical Theatre
• Acrobatics
• Stretch and technique
• Tiny Tots Classes

Dance students are offered opportunities to participate in examinations, annual dancing events, dance competitions, College performances and Eisteddfods. Our Saint Stephen’s College Performance Troupes are a testament to our outstanding dance program, enjoying much success at Eisteddfods and competitions and bringing home numerous National titles each year.

Students are taught by highly qualified instructors, many with professional experience, both nationally and internationally.

For more information, download a prospectus or book a personal tour below, or contact us on (07) 5573 8600.