At The McDonald College, the performing arts aren’t an add-on — they are woven into the very fabric of school life. Students are given the rare opportunity to balance academic rigour with professional-level training, and this year’s midyear performance season has been a shining example of the extraordinary results that follow. With full-length productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Chicago and Coppélia, audiences have seen the depth of talent that thrives within the College’s diverse performing arts streams.
The Acting stream opened the season with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, bringing fresh life to the beloved comedy. With inventive staging and a playful spirit, the production highlighted the students’ ability to handle classical text with confidence and flair. Adding to the achievement, the cast embarked on a regional tour across New South Wales, taking their work beyond the College campus and sharing Shakespeare with new communities. The tour offered students a taste of the realities of performance life — adapting to new spaces, connecting with different audiences and working together as a company. For the young actors, it was both an artistic triumph and an unforgettable educational experience.
Next came Chicago, performed by the Musical Theatre stream. From its iconic Fosse-inspired choreography to its sharp satirical bite, this Broadway classic is no small undertaking. The students delivered it with energy, precision and real star power. Whether in sultry solo numbers or big ensemble pieces, they captured the essence of the show while adding their own youthful vitality. For families and supporters in the audience, it was a vivid reminder of the triple-threat training in acting, singing and dance that sits at the core of the College’s Musical Theatre program.
The Classical Ballet stream rounded out the midyear season with a full-length staging of Coppélia. This joyous ballet, blending humour with technical mastery, gave dancers the chance to shine in roles that demanded both artistry and discipline. From the light-footed corps de ballet to the principal performances, the production radiated colour and charm. Supported by detailed costuming and thoughtful staging, Coppélia was a celebration of the dedication and commitment that ballet training at The McDonald College instils.
While these productions have been major milestones, they are just one part of the performance calendar at the College. Next, attention turns to the annual High Performance Season, where students from across all year groups take to the stage in a showcase of dance, ballet, acting, music and musical theatre. This event is a chance to see the breadth of talent across the school and to witness young performers developing their skills year by year.
For families exploring options for their child’s education, The McDonald College offers something truly distinctive: a place where a strong academic foundation goes hand-in-hand with elite performing arts training and an elite tennis program. The midyear season has shown just how much students can achieve when they are given the tools, the stage and the encouragement to pursue their passions.
Truly the only school of its kind in Australia. The McDonald College is an independent, non-denominational, co-educational K – 12 […]