Extravaganza time

When the St Francis Xavier’s Dance Extravaganza takes to the stage each year it is always a polished event.

The polish is due to the enthusiasm of the talented young people but the dance and drama performers are given extra shine with the professional help of Aleeta Northey.

Aleeta has been coaching and choreographing St Francis Xavier’s students in preparation for Extravaganzas for the past 20 years.

For the 180 performers on stage at The Crossing Theatre for the big event on Thursday, Aleeta’s preparation exposes them to the world of professional performance techniques and movement.

Aleeta has had the students under her guidance for a week leading up to the Dance Extravaganza

And she can draw on experience from years of professional choreography on numerous musical stage shows including The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Hair, West Side Story, rugby league grand finals, the Logie Awards, the TV show So You Think You Can Dance, Buddy Holly the Musical, and working with stars like Kylie Minogue and Jessica Mauboy and many more over a long career.

At the end of Aleeta’s tutelage, the young performers have been given guidance on singing, dancing and acting.

“The Extravaganza will be bigger and better this year, but it is bigger and better every year,” Aleeta said.