Victorian State Schools Spectacular Souvenir Program 2024

The Victorian State Schools Spectacular is performed on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

We acknowledge all Traditional Owners of the lands on which our rehearsals have taken place in the lead up to performance day.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise First Nations people as our first artists and storytellers.

Congratulations to everyone taking part in the 2024 Victorian State Schools Spectacular.

Judging from this year’s theme, I can tell that you will all make a ‘’Splash’’ in your chosen fields of artistic expression.

This year’s show will portray a little girl’s dream sequence, sailing across the seas, exploring rivers and delving into life above and beneath the waves, right down to the microscopic world of a drop of dew.

Whether you are on stage at the John Cain Arena performing or behind the scenes ensuring sound, lighting, costumes and the many other moving parts are all working perfectly, I tip my hat to all of you.

You are part of an enormous cast and crew of 3,000 Victorian government school students from across the state.

For some of you, this could be the first step towards a long and rewarding career in the performing arts, creative industries or teaching the next generation.

I am incredibly proud of the students, teachers and industry professionals who work so hard throughout the year, creating and collaborating, rehearsing and fine-tuning to make the Victorian State Schools Spectacular come to life for audiences seated in the arena or watching live on television.

We are all about to see burst after burst of creative expression, passion and talent before our very eyes and I for one, am so excited to see it all unfold.

Student achievement comes in many forms beyond a study score, and all forms of excellence should be celebrated.

At a time when the Education State continues to inspire Victoria’s students to new levels of excellence, you have set the standard.

I encourage all of you to reflect proudly on your achievements.

Today is about celebrating not only your success but the extraordinary amount of work and perseverance it took to get here.

I wish you continued success as you make the most of your creative abilities.

The Hon. Ben Carroll MP

Deputy Premier

Minister for Education

Minister for Medical Research

Neill Gladwin, Creative Director

Award winning performer and director (Green Room Award and International Perrier Awards), Neill’s career encompasses Olympic and Paralympic Games ceremonies, comedy, physical theatre, opera, Shakespeare, films and television. Formerly half of internationally renowned comedy duo Los Trios Ringbarkus, Neill has directed productions for many of Australia’s major subsidised theatre companies, independent theatres and commercial presenters, as well as produced and executive produced for film and television. Neill recently directed ‘Otto and Astrid’s Joint Solo Project’, touring Australia, UK and North America

Message from the Creative Director

We are made of water. 60 percent in fact.

Following a student suggested theme, this year has seen an exploration of The Sea, The Oceans, The Rain and Ourselves. From the drop of water that falls from a leaf, that becomes a stream that becomes a river that becomes an ocean, we have explored water as metaphor - and as fun!

It has been written that the oceans and the sea, can be the divide between us, but is also the shared element connecting us. Just as the oceans can rage and find calm, so do we - the emotions of water.

From student poet Riley Wooster, the show has five commissioned poems threading their way through this year’s amazing performances. The Haiku explore oceans as the source of life, their connectivity, their might and power and ultimately their role in the flow of humanity.

A veritable celebration of water! So jump on in and make a splash!

Enjoy the show.

This year is Simon’s 16^th Spectacular and it continues to be one of his favourite annual events to work on. He takes great pride in working with the young artists on VSSS and mentoring the up-and-coming production students. Simon is an in-demand event producer having worked on events such as White Night, the Australian Open and Formula One Australian Grand Prix. Simon originally studied Stage Management, then Event Management, and still works on a diverse range of events as a producer, production manager, tour manager, stage manager and operations director. He is excited to be delivering another incredible Spectacular in 2024!!

Chong Lim AM is a musical director, composer, musician and ARIA-nominated album producer. His work as a musical director includes Dancing with the Stars, Logie Awards, John Farnham and Kylie Minogue Tours, multiple Commonwealth Games and AFL Grand Finals. He worked as a composer and producer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, 2022 and 2023 Australian Open Women’s Final and the 2021 Moama Lights Show. He has worked with acts such as Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham and Robbie Williams. He is presently working on a First Nations Production called Deeyamithadda, co-composing with Cairns-based First Nations musicians and songwriters.

Yvette Lee, Dance Director

Isaac Lummis, Costume Designer

Issac has been involved with the Spectacular since 2008. Issac is a costume designer with a passion for period costume and the theatrical. He works closely with wardrobe artisans and technicians to turn ideas into reality. Isaac’s costume design credits include Elvis: A Musical Revolution, Ragtime, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hello Dolly, Cruel Intentions - The 90's Musical, The Who's Tommy, Alice Through the Opera Glass and Oklahoma! His work as a maker and art finisher has featured in productions such as & Juliet and 100% Kylie.

Kai Chen Lim is a film composer, orchestrator/arranger and television producer. Since completing his studies in film music at UCLA’s Film Scoring Extension program, Kai has built a large body of work in both narrative and documentary, short and feature length films, live performance, television and advertising. This has culminated in award wins and film screenings at festivals such as the Academy Awards® accredited Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). Kai has been working on the Spectacular since 2017 as arranger/orchestrator. Currently, Kai is the Associate Music Producer for Vision Australia’s Carols By Candlelight on Nine Network.

Hara is a vibrant dance artist and creative within the Victorian entertainment industry.

She's been a vital part of Yvette Lee's creative team, contributing to the electrifying AFL Grand Final pre-show Entertainment in 2022 and 2023. Whether she's production assisting for New Ground Collective or choreographing for Menagerie, Hara's energy is contagious. Celebrating her 10th year on the Spectacular, she's still as stoked as ever to mentor the next wave of superstars and remains dedicated to nurturing emerging talent and inspiring students across Victoria.

Dr. Richard Vaudrey is a multifaceted musician appearing nationally as a Cellist, Conductor, Songwriter and prominent musical Educator. Richard gained his Doctorate from the State University of New York, acting as Teaching Assistant to the Emerson String Quartet, and performing in venues throughout NYC including Carnegie Hall. Richard is a regular education specialist and presenter for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Richard toured nationally with comedian Sammy-J filming a special for Paramount Plus in addition to his own classical solo project Two Deep Breaths with sold out performances in collaboration with William Barton.

Susannah is thrilled to be working again this year with the talented vocalists of the Spectacular. Susannah is a professional performer, vocal coach, and performing arts educator. She has worked in the music, theatre and education industries for over 15 years and has enjoyed an extensive performance career both locally and in the UK. Susannah graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Music (Honours in Classical Voice) and a Bachelor of Arts. Susannah also trained in New York and London and has taught in prestigious institutions both here in Australia and in London.

Kathy is a Melbourne-based singer, songwriter, session vocalist and voice teacher with extensive performance experience across stage and screen. Her performance credits include studio backing vocals for Australian Idol 2023, World Pride vocalist ABC, The Voice Australia and international performances. As a writer, Kathy’s music has featured on Grey's Anatomy (USA), Winners & Losers and Neighbours (Australia). Kathy is a graduate of The University of Melbourne (Master of Music – Performance Teaching), and The Victorian College of the Arts (Bachelor of Music - Jazz and Improvisation), and is passionate about helping young people forge lifelong connections with music.

Clare Wever is an experienced performer, singing teacher and performing arts educator. Clare has extensive choral singing experience, having trained with the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) for over a decade, performing at iconic venues and alongside stars including Hugh Jackman and Olivia Newton-John. She currently tutors with the AGC and instructs with both the Australian School of Performing Arts and not-for-profit performing arts program, Girls from Oz. Clare is passionate about uplifting young people through music and empowering them in the performing arts. She is delighted to be working with so many talented performers and creatives in this year's Spectacular.

Paul has designed for most of Australia's leading performing arts companies and has lectured in design at the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and the Victorian College of the Arts. His work has featured in festivals and programmes in the United States, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Paul was the Gilbert Spottiswood Churchill Fellow for 2007 and was an Artistic Associate at Malthouse Theatre from 2007-2013. He has received a Helpmann Award, 7 Green Room Awards, 2 Sydney Theatre Awards, 5 APDG awards, a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland and an Australia Council Fellowship (Theatre).

Robert is one of Australia’s leading theatre practitioners working primarily for large-scale commercial productions. Robert has made a name for himself in the field of lighting and projection. He has worked extensively on major musicals, concerts, television shows, events and productions for most of the world's leading designers and companies. Robert has extensive experience as an associate designer and is an award-nominated designer in his own right.

Deb Hallam has been a member of the Spectacular wardrobe team since 2011 and would like to acknowledge what a privilege it has been to help cultivate such a unique experience for so many Victorian school children over the past 13 years. A VCA graduate with many years of professional experience in costume management, sourcing, design, and construction, Deb continues to love that this project delivers the opportunity for so many young Victorians to be a part of a large-scale, professional, arena experience.