By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE High School theatre students got a taste of celebrity, some new perspectives and pointers from inside the industry as actress Maria Mercedes visited last Tuesday.
The Neighbours actress, who began her career in 1978, visited the school as the students practised in the lead up to next month’s production of Aladdin Jr.
Ms Mercedes told stories to the children about her experiences in the industry and helped them to workshop some scenes for their production, which will be performed on 29 August.
Director of the production and student at Healesville High School Tina Haritonidis said the performers had taken Ms Mercedes’ advice on board with their acting.
“It’s going to be really helpful, because the kids haven’t been exposed to a professional actress before,” she said.
“It’s great for them to experience how a professional actor goes through rehearsals.”
Ms Mercedes said the dedication of the performers, who came in for training over the school holidays, was something that would help them later in life.
“They’re so enthusiastic – most students don’t want to be here, doing this, where you have that commitment,” she said.
“I feel really proud of them, that they’re giving up their spare time to be part of something like this.
“It will only enrich their lives and it shows they’re the type of people who are committed and will follow through.”
Performing Arts Centre manager Troy Jansen said having Ms Mercedes out to the school was a “huge opportunity” for the kids involved.
There are around 50 students working on the Aladdin Jr. production at Healesville High School, with students of all ages helping by performing and even operating lighting and sound for the production.
For more information about the Aladdin Jr. production, which will be held at Healesville High School’s Performing Arts Centre on 29 August, visit www.healesvillehs.vic.edu.au or call 5962 4088.
