Nineteen St James College choir students in Years 6 to 12 had the wonderful opportunity to see Sister Act the Musical at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre recently.

Following the performance, students were granted a unique opportunity to engage with the Sister Act cast. After learning about the impact of the Arts, Wellbeing, H.E.A.L, and Intensive English programs at St James College, members of the cast and crew extended an invitation for the students to join them on stage for a group photo. This rare access was made possible through the generosity of Crossroads Live Producer Paula McKinnon.

A standout moment was when student met the stars of the show, Australian performance legends Genevieve Lemon, Rhonda Burchmore, and the incomparable Casey Donovan. But they didn’t just meet them, they performed for them. With courage and confidence, the students sang the African song Siyahamba on stage. The warmth from the entire Sister Act company made it an unforgettable experience for the singers.

Reflecting on the impact of the experience for the students, St James College Arts & Culture Development Officer Tia Jordan highlighted the deep connection between music, theatre, and personal growth.

“The stage is a place where young people watch and awaken,” Jordan said.

“Watching Sister Act, our students saw more than a show. They saw possibility. They saw themselves.”

“Attending the theatre expedites a powerful psychology, and this is why we take our students to experience the arts.

“As they say, ‘if you can see it, you can be it.’”

“The photos tell the rest of the story, but the heart of it is this, our students safely stepped outside of their comfort zone, and they shone," Jordan added.