LARISSA Barwell's critical analysis of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman has received statewide recognition as one of the best Drama major works in last year's Higher School Certificate.
The former Hunter School of the Performing Arts (HSPA) student, 18 - who is now studying law and business at the University of Newcastle - said she was "ecstatic" to see her director's folio about the play chosen for the OnSTAGE showcase, which is being delivered online this year.
"It felt so nice that all my hard work really did pay off and feels like a really good pat on the back," Ms Barwell said.
"I put so much effort in, hoping I would do well in my HSC but also hoping I would possibly get into OnSTAGE, then when I did I was so happy about it."
She is joined by fellow former HSPA student, Dylan Daniels, 18, who said he "couldn't believe" his work had been included.
"It's insane to hear that," he said. "It's quite thrilling and I'm so happy."
COVID-19 meant the cohort's mandatory group performance was cancelled. Their final mark comprised their results from their individual project - either critical analysis, design, performance, script writing or video drama - plus their written exam.
Ms Barwell said she was glad, because she gets nervous performing on stage.
"I really enjoy drama theory," she said.
"I spent eight months working on the project and was able to develop it and do many drafts over a period of time until it got the point where I was really happy with it and could submit it - and it didn't have to matter how I went on the day."
Ms Barwell said the folio showed how she would bring the script to life. "It's a very older, traditional play but I decided to take a modernistic approach to it," she said.
"You have to include your vision for it and a rationale and you had to choose set design, costume design, how you would use your actors and in what space. I loved that I could do every single aspect of it and make all of those parts complement each other."
Mr Daniels' project was a non-spoken-word and movement-based performance called The Baby Cries, about a gay father who stays at home with his child.
It is an adaptation of character Meryl Davenport's monologue in Bombshells.
He recorded voice-overs to convey his character's thoughts and used facial expressions, body shapes and props to create comedy.
"When I walked out I felt so alive, I felt like I was really in the moment and I'd never done it as well as I did that day," he said.
Ms Barwell is part of the theatre community and assistant director for Young People's Theatre's Naked Bunyip Dancing.
Mr Daniels is completing a one-year diploma at Brent Street Performing Arts and hopes to work as a professional dancer, eventually on Broadway.
