By Eleanor Wilson
Ashley Lucey-Jannert may only be 18 years old, but she is about to star in her 10th Victoria’s State Schools Spectacular.
The Narre Warren South teen is one of 3000 students from 200 Victorian schools participating in the event, which is back live for the first time in three years.
It will be performed to an audience of thousands at John Cain Arena on Saturday 10 September, and later watched by thousands more when it is broadcasted on television.
Featuring daredevil skaters, skipping teams, acrobats, hip-hop dancers, giant puppetry, and circus acts, talented vocalists and musicians will perform songs from artists such as The Beatles, Dua Lipa, Stan Walker and Kate Bush in this year’s event with the celebratory theme, ‘Time to Shine’.
The show, which has been a tradition in government schools since its inception in 1995, is not short of South East talent, either.
Performers of all ages and abilities will grace the stage, with schools such as Hampton Park Secondary College, Cranbourne West Secondary College, Lyndhurst Secondary College, Nossal High School, Berwick Lodge primary school, Kambrya College, Narre Warren South P-12 College and Hallam Secondary College.
For Ashley, who is in her final year at Narre Warren South P-12 College, the spectacular is familiar territory.
“Every year has offered me something really special. My first year was amazing because I was only 8 years old and in the VSSS Choir,” Ashley recalled.
“When I was offered a principal role for the first time, I was so proud of myself, but being a principal vocalist and principal dancer in the one show is just amazing.
“I love the professionalism of the show and being able to bring both my genres to the show is an honour.”
Ashley will star as a principal vocalist and principal dancer in the show, something she hopes to pursue after she graduates high school.
“Ideally I’d like to be a musical theatre performer on cruise ships,” she said.
Fellow participant is Nossal High School’s Alex Wilson, who is embarking on his first State Schools Spectacular, as a trombone player in the orchestra.
“I’d heard about [the event] before and I’d seen people from my old school participate, but I didn’t know it was something anyone could participate in,” he said.
“It’s been a really fun experience and we’ve received a lot of one-on-one practice from the trombone tutor so I’ve been able to develop my abilities as well as general skills and playing in a large 80-piece orchestra,” he said.
“It’s also good to have a break from schoolwork and have a chance to enrich other other areas of life.
“I’ve seen a lot of the performers researching and it’s just amazing to see so many wide ranging skills being utilised from puppeteering to acrobatics. I’m sure it will elevate the final performances to amazing levels.”
Describing the event as “one of the greatest experiences of my life”, Alex said the production had been a reminder for him to try new things.
“I’ve learnt so many skills and it’s enriched my life in so many ways so I’d just like to just encourage people to give it a shot,” he said.
“Even if it’s not the spectacular, try new things, new instruments.”
Students involved in the event receive hands-on training and mentoring both on stage as signers, dancers and performers – and behind the scenes in audio, lighting, video production, stage management, costume and hair and makeup.
Tickets to the Victorian State Schools Spectacular can be purchased at ticketek.com.au/spectacular
