Drama Programme
The annual school musical is always a hit!
Twice a year, the success of Fern Hill’s Drama programme is showcased at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, a venue that brings out the best in our talented young performers. The Grade 1 to 3 play is part of our annual Christmas Concert and never fails to delight our families with a creative seasonal story. In the spring, Grades 4 to 8 stage an elaborate, fully scripted and costumed musical; in the past, we’ve performed Oklahoma, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid. Parents and staff continue to be amazed by the confidence and talent of Fern Hill performers on stage each year.
Advantages to an early start in Drama
An early start in performance and role play establishes confidence before the self-consciousness of the teenage years gains a foothold. Our extended morning assemblies provide frequent opportunities for classes to showcase their dramatic skills individually, and as a group.
Participation in the arts has a high correlation with academic success
In its Impact of the Arts on Canadian Life, the Canadian Council for the Arts shared research that reveals the advantages of keeping the Arts in the school system. A few excerpts from the report …
- Children who study the arts demonstrate stronger overall academic performance.
- Arts programs improve students’ self confidence, build communication and problem-solving skills … and prepare young people to be the resourceful and creative problem solvers that employers seek for today’s work force.
- The arts develop the kind of innovative minds and creative skills drawn upon by the entertainment, advertising, design, technical, scientific and other industries that enable businesses to compete successfully in the 21st century workplace.
Read more here: canadacouncil.ca/council/resources/arts-promotion/arts-promo-kit/part2#partD
Every child is an artist
Our ongoing commitment to the dramatic arts will make sure that Fern Hill students graduate as strong academics, while holding fast to their imagination and creativity.
Learning a role in a dramatic production is about exploring and understanding human relationships — it requires imagination, creativity, social awareness, and empathy. Students as actors explore the dynamics of personal relationships working collaboratively. Fern Hill’s drama programme provides a safe place for them to experience the jitters and joys of performance, and the exhilarating feelings that come with a successful production following a long rehearsal schedule.
The artist at work: Fern Hill’s drama teachers are also professional performers
Just as our Art teachers are studio artists, Fern Hill’s Drama teachers are actors with a love of performing. These teachers share their training with students in class, but their love of the art and dedication to the students is best reflected in the hours they commit after school to our elaborate annual drama productions.
Getting children involved in the arts is essential. Parents know this intuitively!
It comes naturally to most parents to sing to their babies, dance with their toddlers, make up bedtime stories, and generally encourage creativity in children in a variety of ways. Sadly, many schools have done away with drama programs. At Fern Hill, we believe that theatre and the dramatic arts are as essential to educating the whole child as sports, music, visual arts, and learning a new language,
The artist at work: Fern Hill’s drama teachers are also professional performers
Just as our Art teachers are studio artists, Fern Hill’s Drama teachers are actors with a love of performing. These teachers share their training with students in class, but their love of the art and dedication to the students is best reflected in the hours they commit after school to our elaborate annual drama productions.
Keigan Page - Drama Specialist, annual musical Director , established performer and director
“We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and congratulate you on last evenings performance. It was absolute spectacular. Everything from the direction, choreography, set design, costumes etc. were spectacular. The kids are all so talented. We were extremely impressed and had a highly enjoyable evening.Thank you for all of the time and effort you put in to working with our children. We are very grateful.”
Congrats on yet another awesome musical production!! The play was simply awesome-such vibrance and energy. It is testament to your commitment and dedication. Thanks for making it such a wonderful experience for my kids-Hetal enjoyed it so much, she chose drama as her elective for next year!”
“Great show!!! To you, the cast, the backstage crew, and all volunteers, kudos for putting on a fabulous musical showcasing the great talents of all involved. Bravo!”
“Once again, the performance of the children last evening far exceeded our wildest expectations and not only contributed to our daughters’ self confidence but our pride in her as well. This was abundantly clear based on the look on her face as we greeted her after the final call. Rare is it to find teachers as dedicated as yours to the happiness and well-being of their pupils.”