In deciding on Kristin’s Middle School Production for the 2018 season, we felt it was the year to produce something outside of the box – something fresh, vibrant and with music that would speak to a wide audience and excite cast and crew alike.
The Broadway Junior adaptation of the cult classic film Xanadu was the perfect fit for our current students and production team, and, although not the most well known show, we knew that the '80s pop-rock and comedy gold would excite, entice and entrance those audience members lucky enough to enjoy its splendour.
Xanadu Jr was not without its staging and technical challenges – flashbacks to the '40s, a floating Pegasus, a dancing Centaur, a magical shoe change in a phone box and, of course, the iconic roller-skates. Training and preparation began in all areas to not only secure these elements, but to deliver and once again meet Kristin’s proud tradition in the Performing Arts.
The unwavering talents of 162 Middle School students on and off stage, led by four Senior School crew leaders, shined through a six-week rehearsal period. Cast members performed chart topping ELO classics, '80s inspired choreography and quick-witted comedy to an exceptional standard. Those privileged enough to be part of the crew pushed themselves in various technical and backstage positions, and grew under our exceptional production team, mentoring and educating students through every step. Junior, Middle, Senior and Alumni parents, community members and staff graciously supported this triumphant Middle School production in various ways. My heartfelt thanks goes out to them as together, we have believed in the Xanadu ‘magic’ that occupied the auditorium.
Kristin’s Productions continue to highlight the strength and positive impact of the arts in the lives of young people. The benefits of developing communication, self-confidence, verbalisation, motor skills, team work, memorisation, physical activity, and self-esteem (to name a few) through a positive and uplifting experience are unprecedented in the lives of an adolescent. To quote Year 10 student Tim Gunn (Sonny Malone) in a post-show email, Xanadu was described as “a highlight of [his] life”.
Although Kira’s roller-skates may have wheeled across the Kristin stage for the last time, the spirit of Xanadu will live on forever, and all involved can take a collective bow and feel an overwhelming sense of pride in this very special Kristin Middle School memory.
- Hamish Mouat, Acting Artistic Director of Kristin Major Productions
DESIGNZ to Showcase Kristin Design Talent
Kristin School will be showcasing our students’ fantastic artistic abilities in our annual ‘Designz’ show on Wednesday 24 October. With the exciting theme of ‘Ultra Violet’ this year and industry judges involved, the evening show will feature a range of Kristin’s best student work including design, fashion (collections, one-off garments and wearable arts) plus food and more! Tickets are available from www.eventfinda.co.nz/go/kristin.
North Shore Student Leaders Forum 2018
The theme of the recent North Shore Student Leaders Forum hosted by Kristin School, was to ‘aspire and inspire’. An opportunity to ignite and inspire in our students the seed of greatness that lies inside every one of them. Leaders are often made, not simply born, and this day exists to motivate and influence our pupils who aspire to lead themselves as well as others. This event also facilitates and encourages young people to think about how they can make a positive impact, not just in the future but right now.
Over 700 students from 26 North Shore primary schools were treated to a variety of inspirational speakers, provocative messages for personal development and resilience as well as a tasty ‘Eat My Lunch’ meal.
Brylee Mills, Richie Patterson, Jake Bailey, William Pike and Ezra Bush were compelling speakers, all telling their story of how they achieved and overcame obstacles to reach their goals. Students were reminded to never give up and to dream big. All speakers were truly inspiring, giving students different highlights and messages to take away. A hip hop performance by Ezra, the founder of ‘Dances for School’ also had everyone on their feet for a massed dance number.
The feedback received from the schools that attended confirmed the success of the day:
“Students loved the dancing with Ezra, Brylee’s speech and how interactive Richie was afterwards”.
” William Pike was the most popular presenter, he spoke with passion and humour. He really got the level right for the students. The majority of the students from our school enjoyed William’s presentation the most on the day. He was inspiring and some students reported that they have made goals based on his words”.
“Ezra - students love the dancing, William Pike - great speaker and they thought he was funny, Jake Bailey - really down to earth and inspiring. Students actually loved all of them”.
The day was a great success, delivering powerful, positive messages to all who attended and Kristin School looks forward to hosting it again in the future.
Columbia, Princeton, Duke, Northwestern and Vanderbilt @ Kristin
The Dove Theatre was bursting at the seams on Monday 27 August as families from Kristin and from across Auckland arrived to meet with the International Admission Directors of, what are known collectively by Education USA as, “The Big Five". Their messages centred upon the themes of diversity, opportunity, flexibility, investment and destination. The insight they provided into their programs, campuses, internship and study abroad possibilities was invaluable to students and parents alike. Following this event, Kristin continued to host New Zealand’s leading universities who were undertaking very specific course planning work with Kristin’s Year 13 applicants as scholarship applications were drawing to a close.
