State Champions at Shakespeare Carnival

State Champions Olive McFarlane and Poppy-Grace Newton (Physical Theatre), and Molly Chard and Lucy Ward (Dance).

03rd Jun 2025

Three local students have performed well as part of PLC Armidale’s entrants in the 2025 Shakespeare Carnival State Finals.
Guyra’s Olive McFarlane, and Lucy Ward along with Molly Chard from Ben Lomond, were part of the teams who were crowned state champions over the weekend at Sydney’s Seymour Centre.
The all-girls’ college Dance and Physical Theatre teams dazzled judges with their powerful, creative interpretations of Shakespearean themes, securing the top titles in their categories at the prestigious state-wide event, presented by Sport For Jove.
The Dance duo, Molly Chard and Lucy Ward, captivated audiences with their hypnotic performance inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, while the Physical Theatre pairing Poppy-Grace Newton and Olive McFarlane, delivered a dynamic and emotionally resonant piece based on Hamlet.
It was the second time that Olive has been in the winners list. Last year she teamed up with Poppy Grace for the first time, becoming dance champions - they were the youngest ever to go to State level in 2024.
The Shakespeare Carnival, run by the Sport For Jove Theatre Company, is a state-wide initiative encouraging students to reimagine the world of Shakespeare through performance, movement, music and film. It challenges students to explore complex texts creatively while building confidence, teamwork and literacy.
This year’s success marks a back-to-back achievement for PLC Armidale, following two state wins in 2024 in addition to numerous other wins throughout the Carnival’s history.
“The continued excellence of our students is a testament to their dedication and the vibrant arts culture nurtured within the College,” College Principal Mrs Nicola Taylor said, reflecting on the school’s long-standing involvement in the Carnival.
“We’ve proudly supported the Shakespeare Carnival since its inception in 2016, and it has been extraordinary to watch it grow into such a meaningful and enriching program for students across New South Wales,” she said.
“From little things, big things grow, and we thank Sport For Jove Theatre for their vision and commitment to the arts.”

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State Champions at Shakespeare Carnival

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