Reflection, Perfection, Obsession – Stage 1 Drama and Dance Performance
Last week, the Stage 1 dance class performed our own choreography in the collaborative performance, ‘Reflection, Perfection, Obsession,’ an adaptation of the classic Snow-White story. Through collective and small group pieces, we aimed to add context and our own interpretations to the story, adding additional depth to the play. We were each in charge of our own section to choreograph, we aimed to utilise a range of choreographic elements and techniques as it has been our class’s focus this year. The process felt rewarding as I got to see my ideas take physical form on stage. We had to work collaboratively with the Stage 1 Drama class in order to seamlessly intertwine the dances to the drama scenes, the actors were incorporated into many of our pieces to achieve an undivided story. I enjoyed learning my classmate’s choreography as there was so much style variation. Overall, the performance was an enjoyable and informative experience, it was a great practice choreographing for Stage 2 dance next year!
Isabella Blake
Year 10 Student
‘Perfection, Reflection, Obsession’ is a self-devised piece created and performed by Aftershock Theatre Company, comprising Stage 1 SACE and IB Drama students in collaboration with the Stage 1 dance class. Drawing inspiration from the Brothers Grimm’s original 19th-century German fairy tale Snow White, the piece revisits the story of a young princess whose beauty sparks envy and leads to the Evil Queen’s murderous intent. Based on this stimulus, our class aimed to reimagine this story through a modern perspective, looking at how beauty can become a burden within a society driven by perfectionism.
Through a collaborative class brainstorming process, key social issues were discussed, with beauty standards standing out as a relevant theme for young people today. Our class conversations showed how powerful these standards are in shaping feelings of self-worth, impacting confidence and the way individuals interact within their society. As a group, we carefully considered how to intergrate these ideas into our script. The creative process was enjoyable, as we self-directed the blocking and staging decisions. Each lesson brought new inspiration, whether it was new ideas for the script, set, or costume design. Taking on these responsibilities made the experience collaborative, giving everyone the chance to contribute to the overall vision.
The stage 1 dancers did a great job interpreting the play’s key themes through choreography and movement, which they also self-directed. Together, we figured out how to smoothly transition between scenes and dances, ensuring the storyline flowed and complemented the ideas we wanted to express. The final result of ‘Perfection, Reflection, Obsession’, was a success, with everyone portraying their character with commitment and the dancers having consistent energy. Overall, the process was very rewarding- one we are all grateful to have been a part of!
Sophie Blight
Year 11 Student