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Mission-On 2008 Stage Challenge - interview with Lusila Elisala
Every year, schools from all around NZ take part in Mission-On Stage Challenge® - one of the biggest performance events in the country! Not only is it heaps of fun and a cool way to meet people, it’s a great way to build confidence and get fit and healthy – as the team from McAuley High in Auckland discovered. We talked to Lusila from McAuley High School about the physical and mental challenges they faced in preparing for the event.
Name: Lusila Elisala
Age: 17
School: McAuley High School.
Role in Mission-On 2008 Stage Challenge: Dancer, stage crew, make up artist and supervisor (over my assigned group).
Q. What was it like to compete at Mission-On 2008 Stage Challenge®?
A. FUN! FUN! FUN! It was absolutely amazing! Our idea of Mission-On 2008 Stage Challenge® beforehand was completely thrown out the window after walking through the doors of the Aotea Centre into our changing rooms. Everything was so colourful and busy. There were students dancing, singing and running around covered in make up, it was crazy! Our initial idea of Mission-On Stage Challenge® was that everyone was so mean and competitive towards one another, not socialising or making new friends - but we were wrong! Everyone at Stage Challenge was so kind to us and even gave us balloons and lollies to welcome McAuley to Mission-On Stage Challenge® for the first time in years. It was great to have different schools come up to us and give us their full support, we really felt at home. Also, everything was so well organised so there was no stress on us dancers or any of the teachers who supervised us - about where to go and who to meet etc. Everything ran smoothly!
Q. How did you get involved and what did you have to do?
A. There wasn’t really any major requirement needed to get into the Mission-On 2008 Stage Challenge® group, apart from the fact that you had to take Performing Arts as a subject at school. All Performing Arts classes years 10-13 were involved, and us year 13s were required to choreograph and teach the juniors.
Q. What was the idea/story behind McAuley’s performance?
A. Our performance was called ‘I Am My Culture’, and basically the idea behind it was that as Pacific Islanders we are able to use our cultural background to help give us courage and confidence to step outside our comfort zone and try many new different dance styles. To know where we come from helps us to know where are going by staying true to ourselves - no matter what new style we come across, such as ballet and jazz.
Q. What were some of the challenges you faced, bringing the idea to life?
A. Our biggest challenge was not having enough space to fit 87 girls in one small Drama classroom! There was simply no space for us to rehearse so our final option was to use our school gym. But because there were so many sport teams also using the gym, we were only able to have about one hour in the gym, once a week. This wasn’t enough time for us, so we had to learn the choreography in our separate Drama periods and bring it all together on the one day we had in the gym!
Q. How did you prepare for it physically?
A. Generic dance exercises were increased in intensity over six weeks. This really built up our fitness levels so we could go the distance!
Q. McAuley High School won a couple of awards for stage use and set function and design. What do you think made your set stand out?
A. I believe our set stood out because it reflected the idea of our performance very boldly. The use of colours and designs linked up with the idea of our cultures. Everything was handmade out of materials we could find, so I think the judges could see that - despite a low budget - we put a lot of time and hard effort into making our set not just scenery but part of the show.
Q. What did you personally take from the experience?
A. I personally took away the understanding of what it is like to participate and organise a group for a big event like Mission-On 2008 Stage Challenge®. I now understand how big of a job it is to cover things like make up, set designs, lighting, props, costuming, finding dance space for rehearsal, music, transport, supervision etc. It is truly a huge job, and it has taught me how big the Performing Arts industry is in Auckland and what I can expect as I pursue a career as a Performing Arts teacher.
Q. Did it bring you together as a school?
A. Yes it did bring our school closer together - it was great to see that for a school entering for the first time in years and stepping outside our comfort zones, we had the full support of our school. Having girls who weren’t even in the group help out in making the set, props and costuming was amazing and breathtaking! It helped us as performers too, because it gave us that extra boost of confidence knowing we are performing and proudly representing our school.
Q. What other awards did you win? Any cool prizes?!
A. We received the Gemma Dale Award for Excellence as Friendliest School, the Excellence Award for Costuming Character and also the Excellence Award for Visual Enhancement.
Q. Any tips for girls planning on entering Mission-On Stage Challenge® next year?
A. Yeah, just be sure to stick in groups because it’s so crowded there and you might end up lost - like me! Apart from that, always keep in mind your family and school… and the true amazing dancer you are will shine through! And definitely give it a go. It’s awesome fun!
For more information on Mission-On Stage Challenge® next year, check out the site here: http://www.stagechallenge.co.nz/
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