Theatre Arts Program
After a lengthy hiatus, the St. Joe's Drama Club re-formed in 2003. The student group has since undertaken many ambitious projects, including a full-length musical, an adaptation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, several variety shows, and an annual independent rock show known as "Battle of the Bands". The St. Joe's Drama Club has won several awards from the Sears Drama festival for ensemble acting, songwriting, and directing. Past productions are as follows:
- Zephyr (2003/2004). The script, which was written in workshops by the cast, was a nihistic exploration of the element of air. The show garnered three Awards of Excellence at the Sears Drama Festival; one for ensemble acting; one for the musical composition of actress Amy Friel; and one for the performance of young actress Kimiko Saso.
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (2004/2005). The script was adapted into a 1920's New York setting by now-alumnus Colin Fallowfield, who also directed the production. Fallowfield won an Award of Excellence for his direction.
- Little Shop of Horrors (2005/2006). The school's production of the infamous Menken/Ashman musical was directed by Ashleigh Jeffrey. It featured memorable performances by Patrick Montgomery, Katie Bekking, Austin Vair, Curtis Steeves, and Laurel Dault
- On the Line (2009/2010). The school's production a student written play, written by Casandra Miller that raised over 300 dollars for Kids Help Phone services in Barrie.
- "The Last Three Weeks" (2010/2011). A school production, continuing the anti-bullying campaign, written by Avery Hellas, that portrayed a realistic view of a typical high school. Featuring the talent of grade 10-12 students directed by Ashleigh Jeffery-Price and co-directed by Ryan Connolly.
Prior to the "hiatus", St. Joe's hosted the Sears Ontario Drama Festival in 1998, in which the top 15 schools performed at Georgian College Theatre, the first time the showcase event was held outside Toronto. During workshops and social events at the school irony played a hand when a teacher pulled the plug on the music during an outdoor BBQ.
St. Josephs has began production for a new play in 2011-2012 . Written and Directed by Mr. Patrick Conroy, an English, Writers Craft and Film Studies teacher. The play is set to be entered in the 2012 Sears Drama Festival. This will be the schools first non-drama department run play since Little Shop of Horrors. It is titled The Case of the Mashed Potato, A vegetable murder mystery. Featuring Potato, Tomato, Rapini, and Jalapeño.
Read more about this topic: St. Joseph's High School (Barrie)
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