from the Drama Studio, Sept. 2008

In Toronto, in May 2008, three drama students from the Beckett School successfully passed their Drama and Speech examinations.  The examiner, from Trinity Guildhall, in England, commended them for their hard work and success.  The students were:  Mercedes Arn-Horn, Gr. 6 - Merit, Phoenix Arn-Horn, Gr. 6 - Merit and Sanasi Jayawardena - Gr. 5 - Merit  (Merit is a mark of 75 and over)

In August, 2008, drama teacher, Dorothy Leitch attended a practical, two-week course on scene and prop building.  The course was taught by four professional artisans from the props department of the Stratford Shakespearean Festival.  the pace was hectic, the demands were rigorous but the outpouring of creativity was outstanding.

From Dickens' novel, Great Expectations, one remembers the fourteen years of decay in the rooms of Miss Havisham.  In our course, twelve people recreated the rotted wedding feast, crubling plaster walls, ragged curtains and wedding dress as well as other Victorian artifacts.  Everything was covered with mould and cobwebs.

What fun!