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“Hit the Beat – Silent words – sing out loud!”

Captivating is the only way to describe the powerful AIDS awareness musical produced and performed by Grade 8 to Grade 12 learners of Waldorf School

This weekend on Friday and Saturday evening, Waldorf School with special guests Gonzo ‘n Friends, perform their stunning musical Hit the Beat.

“Hit the Beat – Silent words – sing out loud!” is an extraordinary performing arts project, presented by learners at the Waldorf School Windhoek and their performing guests, incorporating dance, drums, choir, theatre, garbage music and stick fighting.
Preparations for the show included three incredible weeks of choir rehearsals for all high school learners from grades 10 to 12, and an additional choice of three workshops for each learner: dance, drumming, stick fighting or improvisational theatre – and finally the hard work concludes with two performances at the Warehouse Theatre.
“This year, the performance is part of a project sponsored by the U.S. Embassy through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
The project was launched in October 2014 and targets a holistic HIV prevention programme for grades 8 to 12 at Waldorf School Windhoek. The idea was to talk about HIV prevention and to embed it in artistic exercises designed to promote high self-esteem and assertive behaviour which are the key qualities necessary in any prevention programme. In addition to workshops at the school, Childline/Lifeline also assisted with workshops.
“Throughout the project, the learners worked on the musical presentation of HIV topics, sewed prayer flags and practised assertive behaviour with the help of stick fighting.
In addition, various art workshops took place to strengthen the awareness of and respect for our surroundings. This work will be displayed during the Hit the Beat show” said the Waldorf learners.
“Hit the Beat – Silent words – sing out loud!” is a powerful presentation. The theatre framework will moderate the show through poems that were either written by learners or chosen to suit the theme of HIV prevention. Choreography aids the development of creativity and stimulates the capabilities of memory in general. By working artistically on this project, the learners focus on creativity, courage, teamwork, musicality, and general rhythm – all of which are confidence-building qualities.
The team behind the learners comprises Simone de Picciotto (project leader, choir project, drumming workshop, stick fighting and garbage music workshop); Carmen Nothando-Voigt (dance and choreography), Luigi Scarano and Norman Skillen (theatre, poetry and improvisation), Tony Muirhead (drumming), Felix Spitta (hip-hop and filming) and teachers from Waldorf School Windhoek.
Gonzo ’n Friends from Germany provided special coaching for enthusiastic singers and musicians (drums, keyboard). They will be on stage as special guests with the learners.

 

Fri. 12 June 2015, Sat. 13 June 2015, 19h00 at the Warehouse Theatre in Tal Street, Windhoek.
Tickets N$60, available at Waldorf School, or N$80 at the door.

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