Tamborine Mountain College students are stepping beyond the classroom and onto the stage through a partnership with Queensland Theatre, giving young performers the chance to experience the full creative process behind professional theatre.
The initiative, known as The Scene Project, forms part of the college’s Drama Excellence Program and involves students from Years 7 to 12 working alongside teachers and industry professionals to interpret and perform a newly commissioned play.
Tamborine Mountain College principal Fiona Stevens said the program reflected the school’s broader approach to learning and personal development.
“At Tamborine Mountain College, we believe learning should be immersive and deeply connected to the real world,” she said.
“The Scene Project reflects our commitment to developing creative thinkers who can collaborate and take intellectual risks with confidence.”
Each year, Queensland Theatre commissions a script specifically designed for student performers.
Participants engage in the full theatre-making process, from analysing the script through to rehearsals and a final performance, while receiving guidance from Queensland Theatre teaching artists.
These professionals provide workshops, creative direction and feedback, helping students develop their interpretation and performance skills.
Mrs Stevens said the experience encouraged students to move beyond simply performing.
“By working alongside professional artists and engaging in authentic theatre making, our students are not simply performing, they are learning to interpret complex ideas, express their unique perspectives and contribute meaningfully to a creative community,” she said.
Students collaborate with peers and teachers to shape their own version of the script into a 15-minute performance, exploring staging, character development and creative storytelling.
The program culminates in an Outcome Day, where participating schools gather at a professional performance venue to present their interpretations and watch a professional production of the same script performed by Queensland Theatre artists.
Mrs Stevens said the project helped students develop skills that extend beyond the stage.
“That is exactly the kind of growth we value across every area of our college,” she said.
