Musical - The Addams Family
The Addams Family
Our incredible Cast and Orchestra have received their Musical Shirts! Look out for them around the College on Wednesday 28 May and Friday 13 June. If you’re impressed by the shirts, you will be even more impressed by what is happening in preparation for Opening Night in 10 weeks. There is still time to purchase tickets to this kooky, spooky production.
Term 2 Rehearsals
- Saturday 31 May, 12.30pm – 5.30pm
- Saturday 07 June, 12.30pm – 5.30pm
- Friday 13 June, 3.15 – 6pm (in lieu of Saturday)
- Saturday 21 June, 12.30pm – 5.30pm (will be going ahead)
Musical Holiday Day Camp
We will be holding the Term 2 Musical Holiday Day Camp on Monday 07 July, Tuesday 08 July, Wednesday 09 July and Thursday 10 July from 8am to 3pm. A detailed schedule will be posted on the NEST page in due course.
Meet the Cast
Name: Jesse Frommelt
Year: 9
Character: Pugsley Addams
Musical experience:
- Chip in Beauty and the Beast Jnr (2021), Ipswich Musical Theatre Company Juniors
- Jeremy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jnr (2022), IMTC Junior
- Jarred in Mother and Son (2023), IMTC
- Shark Ensemble in West Side Story (2023)
- Kassim in Aladdin Jnr (2023), IMTC Junior
- Jekyll and Hyde (2025) Switch Up Productions
- Queensland Theatre Youth Ensemble performances (2024-now)
Q: What have you enjoyed about The Addams Family so far?
A: I’ve enjoyed working with people I’ve known for a long time and seeing them use skills I hadn’t seen before. It’s been nice having a different role than what I’m used to – there’s definitely a lot more teenage angst!
Q: What has been a highlight?
A: This interview with Ms Paliadelis. Just kidding! The dance numbers are really energetic.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your character, Pugsley.
A: Pugsley is a typical teenage boy dealing with the loss of his big sister as his best friend. He’s learning to accept this new reality, but along the way, he hits a few bumps in the road – including trying to persuade his sister to give up on her new love using some of Grandma’s herbal remedies.
Q: What are you looking forward to in playing Pugsley?
A: I am looking forward to harassing Sophie Mullens. Sophie and I are great friends, I’ve known her for ages, so I feel like this is a great relationship for me to express my characters emotions.
Q: What are some things you have done to prepare for the role of Pugsley?
A: I’ve had to learn how to do an American accent, which has been an enjoyable challenge. I’ve been using it constantly and have probably (okay, definitely) annoyed my family along the way.
Q: What is your favourite line that Pugsley says?
A: “Wow, you’ve got some real anger issues.” Or “Put some money in the can and nobody gets hurt!”
Q: Why should everyone come and see The Addams Family?
A: Everyone should come and see all the hard work that the staff and students have put in. It’s a really funny show!
Meet the Staff
Name: Michelle French
Role: Orchestra (Keyboard 2)
Years at the College: 2009-now!
Q. Tell us about your musical experience.
Piano and singing are my main instruments, but I also played the clarinet and bass clarinet from Years 4-12. I also used to be in a recorder band!
I have had lead roles in various musicals in community choirs including The Boyfriend, Meet me in St Louis and Honk! as well as solo parts in Theatre Restaurant seasons from 1999-2013. Eisteddfods have been part of my musical journey since I was 10
I have played keyboard in musicals for the Cambrian Choir, Orpheus Chorale, Ipswich Central State School and of course the WestMAC musicals since 2011.
My passion is choral singing and I love sharing this with 3 of our College choirs plus being the conductor of the Cambrian Youth and Junior Choirs. Due to this being such a huge part of my life I was nominated to carry the baton in the Queens Baton Relay as part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, representing The Arts in Ipswich.
Q: What are you looking forward to as a musician in the orchestra?
A: I love the challenge of playing Keyboard 2 – it is usually the part that has all of the ‘patches’ (sound effects and extra instrumentation that enhance the score). It is busy work managing the playing with changing the sounds on a laptop and making sure they are all in the right place! One of the songs in The Addams Family has 48 changes in it, so that will keep me on my toes!
Q: Why do you think it is important for schools to have musicals?
A: As a Music teacher, I believe school musicals are essential because they provide students with a unique opportunity to develop confidence, creativity, and collaboration through performance. Musicals bring together diverse talents—singing, acting, dancing, and technical work—fostering a strong sense of community and teamwork. They also enrich students’ appreciation for the arts, helping them grow both personally and academically.
Q: Q: How does playing in a musical differ from other performances you’ve been a part of?
A: I am usually involved in choral performances which are much more static, even when singing with orchestra. I love the energy of musicals and the interaction the orchestra has with what is going on on the stage. We often end up having ‘in jokes’ in the orchestra about what we can hear or our favourite lines in the show. We can’t always see what is happening so some things sound very funny with no visual context!
Q: How do you prepare for a musical, and what is the rehearsal process like for the orchestra?
A: I do a lot of listening to the score. This helps me internalise where some of the sound effects need to go so that I don’t have to always be counting my part. With a lot to focus on I also highlight and circle important moments in the music so that I don’t accidently play a gong sound when it is meant to be a flute!
Q: Why should everyone come and see The Addams Family?
A: Everyone should come along and support a group of students from all ranges of our College who are going to absolutely shine! In the orchestra or on stage, it is a brilliant experience and you will be inspired to be part of a show yourself!
Tina Paliadelis
Leader of Learning - Music