The COVID-19 pandemic saw significant disruption for drama and dance students across the state - culminating in the cancellation of classes and performances.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lyla Stingle, 8, from Westbury, said she was excited to be back in class.
"It was hard on Zoom because it sometimes glitched and you couldn't really see what you were meant to be doing," she said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
It was meant to be Lyla's first time performing solo on stage at the Launceston Competitions - which were cancelled due to the pandemic.
"I'm really excited to get to do them again, I love being able to dance on stage in front of a big audience," she said.
Fellow Dance Pointe student Abigail Van Niekerk, 15, from Prospect Vale, said it was strange to not have competitions go ahead.
"This year has been quite a crazy year," she said.
"Miss Rebecca [Dance Pointe owner] gave us things to do so it became more fun, but it was challenging."
Both students were ecstatic about the recent announcement that Launceston Competitions would be running again in 2021.
"I am quite excited about next year, to work with all my teammates, especially as it will be one of my last years," Abigail said.
"Getting to finally dance on stage with lights and people watching you after practicing for a long time."
"The students work so hard, and then to have this year not get any of the groups on stage was a shame," added teacher Tayla Broomby.
"It's good that we're back to a bit of normality and they can get out, do their thing and we can watch them have fun because that is the best part, it's something for them to work towards and enjoy."
Our River - Exploring the health of the Tamar Estuary:
Launceston Competitions committee president Jules Colman said the committee were ecstatic to bring back the beloved competitions in 2021.
"Performers, teachers, committee members - everyone has missed competitions so we wanted to make sure we could run a successful one, taking into account health and government regulations," she said.
"We've had many meetings to work out how we can run it in a COVID-safe world, and some of the bigger group items have had to be structured quite differently - the school verse speaking choirs will still participate but the adjudicator will travel to their schools, because otherwise there'd be too many students to fit in the theatre."
Ms Colman said that this is the second time in the event's history that they were unable to go ahead.
"They were cancelled partway through in 1929 due to floods, and in 1935 there were no finances - all ran smoothly until this year," she said.
The competitions begin from May, with dates below:
- Speech and drama - May 8-14
- Musical - May 30 - June 4
- Theatrical dance - July 2 - July 10
- Highland dance - June 12
- Irish dance - June 13 (TBC)
People who are interested in volunteering with the Competitions are urged to get in contact via Facebook or email at beandme@bigpond.com.
Sign up to one of our newsletters: