In this edition, we shine a light on one of our talented staff members who will be balancing life in the classroom with life on the stage during the upcoming Term break, where he will performing in Cosi with the Essendon Theatre Company. His energy is infectious—whether he’s leading a lesson or rehearsing late into the evening - and his dedication reminds us how creativity enriches every part of school life. Welcome to Beyond the Classroom with our Junior School teacher, Nick Cheadle.
1. What excites you most about your role in Cosi?
I play Roy, who is dramatic, passionate, and utterly unreasonable. Playing someone like that is a joy. He’s a complete roller coaster to act, and I’m loving the ride.
2. Any funny or unexpected moments during rehearsals?
Our cast gets along incredibly well, and we’re often very silly, so there have been plenty of laughs. One standout moment was when an actor had to return to the UK for a week but managed to join a Sunday rehearsal via Zoom. A volunteer held an iPad at head height with her face on it so we could rehearse with her. At first it felt futuristic in a very low-budget way, and we couldn’t stop laughing as her face was carted around like some kind of wandering hologram, but amazingly we quickly got used to it.
3. How do you balance teaching and performing?
Performing is such a passion of mine that it gives me energy. I might leave school absolutely shattered, wondering what on earth I’m doing heading to rehearsal, but by the time I finish I’m driving home at 10:30pm full of beans and full of life.
4. If your character had a theme song, what would it be?
It would definitely have to be something operatic, since Roy is obsessed with opera. The soaring highs, lows and intensity of O Fortuna (Carmina Burana) fits him perfectly, and of course anything from Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte would be spot on.
5. What’s the best thing about being part of this production?
The director, the cast, and of course the play itself. It’s a comedy by a Melbourne writer, and it feels special to perform it in the city where it’s set, with a hilarious and almost entirely Melbournian cast.
6. When and where can we see you perform?
You can catch me at Essendon Theatre from 11–20 September. The play is recommended for audiences aged 15 and over. Full details are available on the Essendon Theatre Company website.
