Rutherford Technology High School

The reputation of Drama Students at Rutherford Technology High School continues to blossom with Year 11 Drama students being invited to perform their play “Circus Addiction” at the Hunter New England Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference being held at Bimet Lodge, Newcastle on Tuesday 13 November 2007 at 2.15 pm.

The play was devised and performed in the Hunter Region Mental Health Play Competition earlier this year.  Dr Tanya Hanstock, Senior Clinical Psychologist with The Bipolar Program saw the play and was so impressed with the performance that she invited the students to perform it at this important conference.

“Circus Addiction” is about the common elements that underlie most addictions – highlighting that the development of a harmful addiction is often connected to an underlying mental health problem.  The play uses a circus metaphor to show how people can start using drugs for pleasure and entertainment,  however they can soon get swept up into a life that becomes out of control and frightening due to the addiction.

Principal Paul Tracey says “The Year 11 Drama Group is to be congratulated for producing a play that so accurately reflects the perils of addiction”.  “We are very proud that the play has been selected to be performed at this prestigious conference “