Hi all the cast and crew from "Bottoms Electric Summertime Dream", this is Learna Christie (nee Peelgrane) alias "The Wall". I often tell the children I work with that "ones first role" does not have to be da da... The Lead..... One can do an excellent job as a "tree" or a "rock", and in fact Mrs. Christie's debut role on the big stage was when I was a teenageer in Toowoomba in Qld and it, was ...... a "Wall". You are right ..... they usually arent that impressed with this analogy.
Anyway everyone, you have no doubt guessed I am a Primary School Teacher and I have the best job in the world teaching only Drama everyday in Muswellbrook, Hunter Valley NSW. I have done this for the past 6 years.
After completing my high school years back at Oakey State High, along with other Oakey-ites like Mark Morwood, Mark Little, Shane Calcutt, Jacqueline Lalor and others, I left the Downs and went to the University of Queensland. I studied Japanese and Drama and completed an Arts Degree. The fork in the road came when I had to decide whether to pursue the Japanese or the Drama thing. My decision was made easier after I did my first Uni exchange to Japan as a 2nd year and there was a growing market for Japanese speakers during the heady days of the 80's, when the Qld Tourism Industry was bursting with Japanese Tourists. As I was very interested in buying lots of shoes and country road clothing and stepping out of student poverty, I decided to work in Sydney for a large inbound Japanese Tour Operator upon Graduation with an Arts Degree. I worked between Sydney and Japan for 6 years, and spent some of that time in Japan again working for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Alas, my middle class values go the better of me and because I missed my boyfriend, I decided not to renew my contract in Japan, I came home and got married. Dull, Dull, Predictable... I know....but I noticed quite a few on the blog page have fallen for a similar fate.
Then I moved the Hunter Valley taught Japanese for 9 years at TAFE, had 2 children, and renovated an old house with my husband Alistair. I led a few trips back to Japan with my TAFE students in the 90's, but got over the whole "Japanese thing" and decided to retrain externally as a teacher through UNE Armidale. Then I studied to be a teacher worked in high schools teaching Japanese on a very part-time basis, (cause I didnt like it) and then realised I did love teaching chidlren, but not the hairy, sweaty ones. Primary students have Less hormones, more imagination. The .. choice made. Now I am really very content playing games all day with 5-12 year olds.
For the past 10 years, I have been involved with the Local Amateur Theatrical Society, the Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music, and The Shire Concert Band. The 3 forces join together each year and pump out a musical to beat all musicals!!!! (stop wincing.... we all love a good musical) I have been able to re-kindle those many warm fuzzy feelings backstage with all kinds of lively people , and my whole family go along for the ride as well.. Both my children are musicians. My husband (long suffering) does the set building and we have lots of fun putting on shows in Muswellbrook. My main love is directing, and my favourites have been Jesus Christ Superstar, (Yeh... go the cheese cloth!!) The Blues Brothers, Chicago, and The Wizard of Oz. Our Amateur group also does plays and melodramas. I believe we are the only Amateur Theatre Group that allows the audience to throw popcorn at the Villian, and not have a Occupational and Safety Spec done for the event. We often move the venue round town, and build a set to suit the show we are doing, and can seat shows up to 400 people. It is one of the highlights on the social calendar here in Muswellbrook, certainly up there with the "Heavy Horse Field Day at the Muswellbrook Jail", " The Spring Cup Carnival Parade" which coincides with Melbourne Cup Day so people remember, and the RSL Back to the 50's Revue nights!!!!
Our Latest venture is lobbying for proper performing arts venue which could have tiered seating for 500 people..... and a very big bar!!! The magic atmosphere of back stage is still as addictive as it was when I was 14 and I really look forward to the get together and being with some very nice people who made a HUGE impression on me. By the Blog page everyone has got great stories to tell about their lives.
Congratulations to all the organisers and Rick Ireland especially for his persistant to this project and allowing us all to share our childhood again.
Larni
