“UNSTOPPABLE!”  It’s a great word for a theatre spectacular made by young people and it’s one that executive teacher of performing arts at Lyneham High School, Ben Sticpewich¸ embraces fully. 

A 90-minute show, “Unstoppable!”   will show off the  singing, dancing, acting and creative talents of students from Ainslie School, Campbell Primary School, Lyneham Primary School, Majura Primary School, North Ainslie Primary School, O’Connor Cooperative School, Turner School, Campbell High School, Lyneham High School and Dickson College.

“Unstoppable!”  Sticpewich says, is “a celebration of resilience in our students.”

There’s another good word, “resilience.”

That, Sticpewich says, means “the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience…facing life’s difficulties with courage and patience – refusing to give up…a quality of character that allows a person or a group of people to rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas.”

And in this coming show, that is not just a concept but a reality.

Take 10-year-old Skinny Gavel, who performs a major role “Unstoppable!”  He and his sister Eske, orphaned after years of war, famine and disease in Ethiopia, were adopted by Tim and Jenny Gavel of Canberra.

Skinny now has a lead role in the piece by Ainslie School, and will also join with the rest of the 600 students in what they’re predicting will be  an “unstoppable” finale.

“Unstoppable!”  At Lyneham Performing Arts Centre, Goodwin   St Lyneham, and 6.30pm, November 2, 5, and 6. Tickets $20 from Lyneham High School front office or to 6205 6409, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm.