Students at Howick Elementary School are getting ready to stage their rendition of the Dr. Seuss’classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas before family and friends next week. And while the students are excited, there is perhaps no one prouder of the work that has been done to bring the magic of Whoville to life than the school’s principal, Melanie Primeau.
The production will feature every student from kindergarten to Grade 6. “Our Grade 5 and 6 students had the choice of a drama role, or being part of the crew during the show including set decoration and preparation,” says Primeau. “To ensure everyone had a role, most have been double-cast and some students are playing different roles in the morning and evening show,” she explains, noting this also ensures there is a back-up plan in the event someone gets sick before the show. Students in the choir have been rehearsing at lunch with music teacher Kirk Elsmore.
The play has students buzzing within the school, where they are fortunate to be exposed to art, drama, and music during their classes. With Primeau’s support, drama teacher Anny Auclair is working together with art teacher Alicia Demers and Elsmore to create a performing arts department of sorts.
“I spent 17 years at Chateauguay Valley Regional (CVR) and I saw the power of the performing arts,” says Primeau, who suggested the idea to her teachers. “They all have their curriculums, but they come together,” she adds, noting the fact the teachers work together adds value to the student’s experiences.
For example, the Grade 5 and 6 students were offered the opportunity to choose between art and drama class, where some students chose drama to help and learn about sound, set design, and backstage management. “We are able to highlight the strengths of each student,” Primeau says, while explaining that the work they are doing at Howick Elementary will no doubt help students find their place as they move on from the school.
“It is about having them want to be involved when they get to high school, knowing that if they are creative, they will find their niche there as well.”
The acting bug
The school’s emphasis on the performing arts has also stirred up a buzz for acting amongst some of the older students. Several from Howick recently auditioned to be part of a new production by the Youtheatre company in Montreal. Following call-backs, Leilia Maghian-Strunga, Alyssia Leroux-Irving, Elena Kivinen, and Cale Ednie were amongst a group of 30 young thespians selected to participate.
Maghian-Strunga, a Grade 6 student, says she especially likes the freedom that comes with acting. She says she is proud to have been cast with a professional theatre company. For now, however, she is focused on the Grinch and performing on the Howick stage.