Inside the Arts at ISZL (Podcast Episode)

What does performing arts look like when a whole community is involved?

In a recent episode of the ISZL Podcast, Director of Arts Kirsty Kelly sat down with Primary School student performer Laetizia to reflect on how the performing arts are evolving across ISZL, and what it means for students, teachers, and families to be part of that journey.

At ISZL, performing arts begin early and continue throughout a student’s time at school.

All of our children get the opportunity to experience the arts from a very early age at ISZL, all the way up until High School when they leave, whether that’s within the curriculum or as an extra arm to the curriculum.

Building on this strong foundation, the programme is continuing to grow in how it is experienced.

We are really trying to evolve into something much more collaborative and student driven … We’ve gone from putting on a show or just performing to building something together as a community, where students and our wider community have a real sense of ownership

What may appear as a final performance on stage is, in reality, the result of weeks of combined effort, where students, parents, staff, and even alumni take on important roles both in front of and behind the scenes.

Finding a place in the arts

For Laetizia, performing arts have become an important part of her school experience. After participating in productions such as Finding Nemo and this year’s The Jungle Book Kids, she sees the arts as a time to reset and focus on doing something she really loves.

Beyond the performance itself, it is also about connection and confidence-building.

I just really like being around my friends and just doing something I like. I used to feel really nervous when I was performing on stage, also in assembly when I was just saying something. But now I’m more confident on stage, and next time I perform on stage, I know that if something goes wrong, it’s fine and I’m just more confident.

A shared effort

One of the most visible shifts in recent years has been the level of involvement across the school.

Productions now bring together students from different divisions, with High School students mentoring younger performers, Middle School students supporting through leadership programmes, and Primary students contributing to set design and technical production. Parents also play an active role, from costume design to backstage support.

It really takes a community, and at ISZL, we have a sizeable one. The performing arts are bringing that community together.

Students are not only participating, but taking ownership of the process.

What surprised me most … is how seriously students take that ownership when you give it to them and they step up not just creatively, but in teams working on their own initiative.

This year, productions were also opened to a wider audience beyond the school, inviting members of the local community to attend. For students like Laetizia, this added a new dimension to the experience, introducing both nerves and excitement.

I didn’t think that so many people wanted to be involved in our show, but it turns out that a lot of people joined clubs just for our play … it was really awesome how everybody took part in our show and how it came together at the end was really pretty.

Learning through the process

While performances are a highlight moment, Ms. Kelly explains that much of the learning happens in the lead up to show time.

Those leadership skills that we’re providing for our students, that they’re getting from being a part of the musical — problem solving and lots more — it’s amazing for them.

What stands out just as much is how the process opens the experience up more widely. As productions take shape, parents and the wider community are able to see and understand the learning as it unfolds.

Looking Ahead

As the Arts programme continues to grow, the focus remains on widening participation and ensuring that everyone can find their place.

Everybody just needs to realise that no part is too small. There’s always a place for anybody who wants to be involved in the musical. If you’re here and you’ve showed up for our students and you can see what’s going on, then you’ve played a part.

Listen to the full episode on The ISZL Podcast