Being a huge Jack Black fan and having loved the movie version, Belinda didn’t hesitate when asked to direct the Gisborne show.
“The musical keeps the essence of the film — a lot of dialogue has come straight from it.
“It’s got a really beautiful, funny, almost improvisational feel at times. At its heart and soul it’s about the love of rock.”
American actor and musician Kevin Haggard plays the part of Dewey Finn in the MTG production, embodying the big energy of Jack Black in the movie.
About the director
Belinda Campbell was born and raised in Gisborne by theatre-mad parents. She remembers helping backstage and front of house, and performing in local productions from a young age.
With heavy involvement in many local theatre societies’ shows, drama clubs (Young Unity) and speech and drama, music and Highland dance competitions, it was a natural progression to leave for Christchurch to study musical theatre at the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA).
In 2011 she moved to the vibrant arts city of Melbourne where she founded an independent theatre company, Wit Incorporated, with her friend and fellow artist Jennifer Piper.
Wit is coming up to its 10th year next year and Belinda is still actively involved with the company as a committee member.
“I am incredibly passionate about the importance of all aspects of theatre —community, independent, commercial —they all serve a meaningful purpose.
“Independent theatre is especially close to my heart — an essential part of the theatre ecology — often those big commercial shows start with the seed of an idea developed by an independent production. The challenge is funding it. Melbourne is a bigger pond, but there’s more fish,” Belinda says.
She moved back to New Zealand in 2020 to direct The Addams Family for MTG and then Covid happened. This put a hold on the production and changed the course of her life. The production eventually had a successful run at the Lawson Field Theatre.
It was during her work on The Addams Family that she met dancers Kylah Ashwell and Paul Hawaikirangi, aka 98 cents, who have done the choreography in School of Rock.
Belinda now resides in Wellington, but stays with family in Gisborne while working on the show. She moved to Wellington in 2021 to enrol at Victoria University where she completed a Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) in Directing Theatre.
“I’d been directing for five years prior, but I had mainly been performing. The intensive time spent focusing on direction was invaluable. I learned a lot and it was hands-on and practical.”
Belinda said the adult ensemble cast are worked hard in the production, often playing two or three roles including parents and teachers, with quick changes.
“Multiple roles always pose a challenge for the actors. I ask them to really differentiate their characters, so they’re not vocally or physically the same. We want the transformation to be more than just changing costume. This cast is very much up to the challenge.”
A lot of the ensemble cast also happen to be teachers in real life.
Audiences can expect a tight show — which is both energising and fast-paced — about “the power of music, finding yourself and sticking it to the man”.
“I think this show has a beautiful soul to it. It’s hilariously funny, and is filled with loveable characters longing for freedom, joy and music in their lives. They’ll bring tears to your eyes.
“It’s going to be an excellent night out. You’ll see a lot of talented rangatahi on stage, and you’ll probably leave singing the catchy songs. The show makes you want to jump out of your seat, rip a punk hole in your shirt, and rock out at the top of your lungs”, she says. “We’ll give you a bit of rock magic in the finale, too.”
