General News
20 March, 2025
Horsham College set to stage "relatable" production
Rehearsals have kicked off for Horsham College's annual production with students set to bring the musical '13' to life.
Directed by performing arts teacher Emily Friedrichsen, the stage show looks at the daily challenges teenagers face in a school environment such as relationships with friends, manipulation and popularity.
"It's all about being 13 and bringing those issues to the forefront," Ms Friedrichsen said.
The Broadway production followed a young boy named Evan Goldman who moved from New York City to a country town in Indiana after his parents' divorce.
Preparing for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah, Evan faced the challenges of starting a new school and navigated complicated social circles.
'13' was the first and only Broadway production to have an all teenage cast and band.
Ms Friedrichsen said she has always wanted to recreate the production.
"Since I saw my brother play 'Brett' in high school, I wanted to do it," she said.
"We're using our own country town and sponsors to make it our own."
on board to support the production.
Ms Friedrichsen said there are 50 students involved, and that's just in the cast.
"We have another 20 [people] apart of our stage crew," she said.
Students Henry Overman, Ella Lloyd and Leni Hopper are this year's production captains who are excited to bring a "relatable" production to life.
"13 connects with teenagers because it looks at fitting in and popularity," Ella said.
"It's a good insight for parents and students to see what we go through."
She is also playing her first lead role 'Patrice' in the production and said she was feeling "good" about it.
"This role can add to real life as well," Ella said.
Being dance captain, Miss Hopper is this year's dance captain and said it's "very exciting" to be a part of the production.
"We're lucky in college because you don't have to be the best actor, or singer, or dancer to be a part of production," she said.
"It's very exciting to do something I idolise, which is dance."
offered to help out with production for the first time.
"It's an absolute pleasure to be a part of this team and to be around people who have a passion for the arts," she said.
"I've seen and been in Horsham College productions before so it's great to be on the other side of it."
Ms Friedrichsen said the production will feature words that teenagers use now with hopes it will "call out their behaviour".
"It's all about them and what they go through," she said.
"I hope it raises questions of who they are, their importance, their values and how they should ask for help when they need it."
Ms Friedrichsen said performances begin in the last week of August at Horsham Town Hall, and tickets would be on sale soon.
There will be two school performances at 11am and there will be limited spots.
Tickets will be $10 per student and free for teachers.
Interested schools should make contact with either Ms Friedrichsen or Ms Summerhayes by calling Horsham College on 5381 7100.
