THE MALADIES

Thank you for being in the audience for our production of The Maladies by Carmen Nasr. I very much hope you find the show dynamic, inspiring, thought-provoking, and relevant. Of course, as keen as we are for audiences to be blown away, the true measure of a production’s success in a school context is how the young people involved have felt throughout the process: excited, engaged, valued, challenged, passionate and proud.
The commitment and effort shown by the cast and student production team throughout rehearsals for The Maladies has been nothing short of extraordinary. For six months in 2025, students gave up their Friday afternoons, the final week of their summer holidays, and every spare minute of Term 1 so far this year to bring this work to life.
In addition to their incredible performances, many students have taken on creative and technical responsibilities, contributing far beyond what was asked of them: composing an original score for the entire production; compiling costume concepts and reference images; logging lighting cues and creating video content; developing choral arrangements and conducting choirs; researching, scripting, and producing podcasts; designing this very program; meticulously taking notes and offering dramaturgical insight; and learning and executing hundreds of cues with precision. Their dedication, skill, and creativity are truly exceptional.
Even the most talented young artists need guidance and support, and we have been fortunate to have exceptional staff helping to realise this production. My sincere thanks to Tobhi Feller, who has realised more than thirty costumes; Ben Turner, who built the set, designed the lighting, and solved innumerable technical challenges; and Zoe Van Munster. While Zoe officially holds the title of Production Manager, her contribution has gone far beyond any single role. Her artistic insight, logistical leadership, and technical expertise elevated this production immeasurably.
Thank you also to Daniel Kavanagh and Dr Susan Green for supporting this production and enabling it to happen in the first place. At another school, leadership may have seen an opening scene featuring WAP by Cardi B and said, “absolutely not.” Here, the response was, “Go for it—just make sure it’s appropriate for all ages.” Thank goodness our incredible sound designer, Kieran, had the vision, patience, and skill to reverse all the explicit lyrics.
Finally, thank you to our students’ families for your logistical and emotional support. We know that a supportive home environment gives young people the confidence to fully commit to ambitious creative projects like this one. I am sure you are as immensely proud of these students as I am.