The Addams Family

Why is staging musicals a meaningful part of school life? Musicals offer students a powerful opportunity to connect, collaborate and grow. They nurture creativity and confidence while helping to build a strong sense of community and shared culture. Through teamwork and storytelling, students develop empathy and lasting friendships (Burton, Horowitz & Abeles, 2000). Performing together fosters school spirit and pride, uniting students from different backgrounds and year levels (Adderley, Kennedy & Berz, 2003). Musicals are more than entertainment, they are a celebration of belonging.

As a staff member, one of the most heartwarming moments of community has been watching our students celebrate one another—especially when it’s a cast member’s birthday! We’ve had the joy of celebrating many birthdays throughout the rehearsal process. Seeing students from Years 7 to 12 come together to foster a sense of belonging, acceptance and connection is a powerful reminder of why musicals matter. The memories made and friendships forged last a lifetime, well beyond the final curtain call.

References

• Burton, J., Horowitz, R., & Abeles, H. (2000). Learning In and Through the Arts.
• Adderley, C., Kennedy, M., & Berz, W. (2003). A Home Away from Home: The World of the High School Music Classroom.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, it isn’t too late! Grab your tickets here.

Term 2 Musical Holiday Day Camp

• Monday 07 July, 9am – 3pm
• Tuesday 08 July, 9am – 3pm
• Wednesday 09 July, 9am – 3pm
• Thursday 10 July, 9am – 3pm

 Term 3 Rehearsals

• Saturday 19 July, 12.30pm – 5.30pm
• Saturday 26 July, 12.30pm – 5.30pm
• Sunday 27 July, 10am – 1pm (Orchestra Only)
• Sunday 27 July, 2pm – 5pm (Orchestra and Full Cast)

Meet the Cast

Name: Anna Fazackerley 
Year: 12
Character: Morticia Addams
Musical experience:

• Nessa Rose in Wicked (2021)
• Baroness in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2022, IMTC Junior)
• Maria’s understudy in West Side Story (2023)
• Genie in Aladdin (2023, IMTC Junior)

Q: What have you enjoyed about The Addams Family so far?

A: I’ve really enjoyed how close the cast already is, and I’m looking forward to seeing those relationships grow even stronger. The atmosphere is so collegial and supportive—whether it’s someone’s first musical or they’re more familiar with the process. The role I’m playing is completely different from anything I’ve done before, which makes it even more exciting.

Q: What has been a highlight?

A: It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come already, especially considering we’ve only been rehearsing for just over a term. Everyone gives their all at every rehearsal because we all want to see it come together and produce a great show. A highlight has also been becoming really close with my fellow Addams family members. We do so many scenes together, and it’s reinforced the family vibe—it's not just because the script tells us to!

Q: Tell us a little bit about your character, Morticia.

A: Morticia is the matriarch of the Addams family and holds the key to their unity—she built the family into what it is today. She is very controlling of what her children and family do because she wants to maintain the family’s image. Morticia is elegant, the perfect combination of demure and demonic. She values honesty and the truth above all else and will stop at nothing to ensure that no one keeps secrets, especially from her.

Q: What are you looking forward to in playing Morticia?

A: Yelling at Gomez!

Q: What are some things you have done to prepare for the role of Morticia?

A: I’ve watched many YouTube videos to see how different Broadway actors have portrayed scenes in the style of Morticia. Bringing this role to life requires a lot of focus and a serious demeanour.

Q: What is your favourite line that Morticia says?

A: “We don’t wear bright colours. Bright colours are for people with no inner life and no imagination.” or “Life is a tightrope, my child, and at the other end is your coffin.”

Meet the Staff

Name: Lily Wood
Role: Props and Sets Coordinator, Stage Manager
Years at the College: Two
Musical experience:

• West Side Story (2023)

Q: What are you looking forward to in your role as Props and Sets Coordinator?

A: I love seeing the stage transform with props and set pieces – it’s incredibly rewarding to watch a fantastical world come to life before the audience’s eyes. There’s something magical about helping to create that immersive experience for everyone involved.

Q: What are you looking forward to in your role as Stage Manager?

A: I’m excited to work closely with all the students and create a positive, energetic atmosphere backstage. While Stage Managing can be a high-pressure role, it’s incredibly fulfilling – especially when you see the cast and crew smiling after a successful performance.

Q: What are some of the challenges that come with both of your roles?

A: One major challenge is sourcing or creating unique props, especially for a show like The Addams Family, which has such a distinctive aesthetic. Another is ensuring that everything – and everyone – is in the right place at the right time. Backstage can get pretty hectic and timing each cue perfectly is like orchestrating a little bit of stage magic.

Q: Why do you think it is important for schools to have musicals?

A:  Musicals create such strong friendships and a sense of community among students. It’s a rare opportunity to work collaboratively across different year levels and those connections often last well beyond the final curtain call.

Q: What has been the most creative or unique prop to source so far?

A: That’s a tough one – The Addams Family is filled with quirky, one-of-a-kind props! We’ve had to custom-build quite a few pieces ourselves, which has been both challenging and fun. There’s still so much happening behind the scenes that I don’t think I can pick just one yet!

Q: What is your favourite prop in The Addams Family and why?

A: Wednesday’s crossbow is definitely my favourite. It was handmade by the incredibly talented Errol Anderson from our Facilities Team. I was a little nervous about finding a crossbow because of the safety concerns, but during a chat with the IT Department about their various 3D printing models, someone mentioned Errol’s woodworking skills. I reached out and soon enough, he delivered a spectacular, handcrafted crossbow. It’s moments like that that make this role so special – thanks, Errol!