Once Upon Our Time: A Showcase of Talent and Community
What a performance! The Knox School (TKS) is incredibly proud of every student who took to the stage in this year’s production, Once Upon Our Time. After months of rehearsals piecing together the elements of the performance, dedication and creativity, our cast and crew delivered an unforgettable showcase that reflected not just their talents, but also their growth as performers.
From the very first dress rehearsal to the final curtain call, it was clear how hard our students worked to bring this story to life. Their commitment and energy turned a concept into a dazzling production filled with music, movement and connection.
A Celebration of Growth and Friendship
The showcase was more than a performance; it was an experience that helped our students grow both individually and as a team. As Arien in Year 10 shared:
“Seeing how far we all have grown as a cast, not just in our individual talents but the connection between one another is admirable. The showcase has not only provided me with valuable experiences… but given me another family through the tight friendships and support groups I have made between both peers and teachers.”
That sense of belonging echoed throughout the cast. Josh, also in Year 10, reflected on the bonds formed:
“I believe my highlight was forming new bonds with new people and feeling like part of a special community.”
Year 8 student Avina captured the excitement and joy of performing:
“Being in this year’s showcase was such an amazing and unforgettable experience! I had so much fun rehearsing, performing and seeing all our hard work finally pay off.”
Learning, Laughter and Family
Many students admitted they weren’t sure what to expect from a showcase format but quickly discovered the value of the journey. Steph, Year 10, said:
“I was a bit sceptical at first about a showcase rather than a traditional musical, but it turned out to be an amazing learning opportunity and heaps of fun!”
For Dhaani in Year 7, the highlight was the teamwork:
“It was so amazing to be involved in a showcase with such talented performers of all kinds, and I have really enjoyed working together as a big musical family.”
And Eric in Year 10 summed up the joy of collaboration:
“I loved forging bonds with so many new amazing people, and I truly felt a part of a greater family.”
A Note from The Director
Our Director, Anna O’Byrne, brought extraordinary vision, creativity and care to Once Upon Our Time. Anna reflected:
“There’s a theatrical maxim that goes, ‘It’s better to have 30 imaginations working on a project, rather than one imagination telling the other 29 what to do.’ In the case of TKS, it was more like 70+ imaginations. From the very first rehearsal, it felt like uncovering a treasure trove of inspiration. Together, we set out to create a work without an existing script or score, one that would showcase the incredible talents of our students and develop their skills as performers.
“My hope is that through their performances, our wonderful company may lead you to find your own answers to the questions we pose. Equally, we welcome you to sit back and bask in the talent, skill and commitment of our young performers.”
Anna’s words perfectly capture the spirit of this year’s showcase: bold, original and deeply collaborative.
Thank You to Our Team
Productions of this scale do not happen without tireless leadership and teamwork. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Anna for her outstanding direction and to our talented production team for their guidance and persistence. A special acknowledgement goes to Stage Manager Zoe Neal, TKS Alum, whose professionalism and dedication kept the show running seamlessly. We would also like to congratulate our Choreographer, Ava Knight, who stepped into the role as the first student to join the main creative team: an exciting leadership opportunity that she embraced with creativity and confidence.
We are equally proud of our live band comprised of Music staff, and backstage crew and technical team, all of whom were students. Their behind-the-scenes efforts ensured the spotlight could shine on every performance.
Belle in Year 10 captured the spirit of the production best:
“The musical wasn’t just about putting on a show, it was about creating a space where we could share our talents, ideas and our love for theatre.”
Looking Ahead
Once Upon Our Time was more than a performance, it was a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the bonds that unite us. As Avina shared, many of our students are already “excited for next year,” and so are we.
Congratulations to every student who played a part on stage or behind the curtain. You have made us all incredibly proud.
