Senior School Drama students performed their own unique version of The Wizard of Oz to our neighbours at Strathmore Lodge care home last week.
Written by a team of Sixth Formers and directed by Year 12 Drama Scholars Tilly P and Nia D, this new Drama Department initiative had a 20-strong cast comprising students from Year 12 and Drama Scholars from Years 7, 8 and 9.
Director of Drama Heather May said: ‘The cast gave the residents of Strathmore Lodge a really magical experience. The older audience members were so engaged with the play and the students’ energy and lively characters lit up the room. Following the performance, the cast enjoyed spending time with the residents and hearing about their life stories.
‘A huge thank you has to go to the Sixth Form Directors, Tilly and Nia, who put together a wonderful script and ran the rehearsals with professional polish. It was wonderful to see our students sharing their love of theatre by giving back to the local community in such a special way.’
This is what the cast and crew had to say …
Nia D, Year 12: ‘Creating and performing the pantomime was such a rewarding experience. I learned so much about directing, writing and acting, and performing for the care home and talking with the audience made it truly unforgettable. I hope this is something our school continues to do as it was such an amazing experience!’
Neve G, Year 9: ‘I feel so privileged to have performed in front of the seniors at the local care home. It really made my day, and I’m sure many of the audience members’ day, and it was such a special opportunity to give the wonderful gift of theatre to some who may have forgotten what that’s like, and see the smiles on their faces.’
Emily G, Year 7: ‘I loved performing at the care home, it was so nice to see how much the audiences’ faces lit up when we were performing! The rehearsals were honestly the best part of my week!’
Elodie N, Year 7: ‘I really enjoyed going to rehearsals, and getting involved with the wonderful pantomime! The most incredible part, of course, was getting to put on our gorgeous costumes and perform to the lovely people of Strathmore Lodge!’
Carlotta W, Year 12: ‘This pantomime was such a different experience than anything else I have done at STAHS, and was run by some amazing student directors! Additionally, giving back to the community through our performance to the care home was wonderful!’
