École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys

Mme. Sewell's Grade 4/5 Class at SMB recently dazzled the community with its vibrant and energetic production of "SING." The play, directed by Lee-Anne Sewell, a Grade 4/5 teacher at SMB, was a remarkable showcase of student talent and hard work, embodying the spirit of creativity and collaboration that defines the school.

Lee-Anne Sewell, who has directed numerous productions at SMB including "Robin Hood," "Once Upon a Time," "Percy Jackson," and "Night at the Museum," chose "SING" for its rich integration of various curriculum elements. "I wanted to include many aspects of the curriculum, including music, dance, public speaking, vocabulary building, and art," Sewell explained. "The song track is awesome, and the students all agreed it would be tons of fun to write and perform!"

The process of bringing "SING" to the stage began before Christmas when the students watched the film together. They collaboratively wrote the play, and by March break, they had their scripts and roles. The months leading up to the performance were filled with hours of learning lines, songs, and dances. Sewell shared, "Learning their lines, the songs, and the dances took up many hours, but it was so worth it in the long run. I have had students and teachers tell me this was their favorite play."

One of the significant challenges in staging the production was funding. "I think the biggest issue is finding the funds to bring everything to life—the costumes, the backdrops, the props, and decorations," said Sewell. Fortunately, the parent council and parents provided tremendous support, ensuring the production's success.

The impact of the play extended beyond the stage. Sewell noted, "I have had parents and previous teachers tell me they never would have seen their child-student play their role. Drama is so important and often overlooked. I have seen very shy students come out of their shells and absolutely shine on stage. They use skills learned from performing in a play to deliver speeches, for example."

The production also fostered a sense of anticipation and excitement throughout the school. "Students, even from other grades, approach me at the beginning of the school year to ask what the play will be that year," Sewell said. This year, the grade 9 students from Mr. Kraynik's class contributed by building the heads for the characters, enhancing the collaborative spirit.

The performances were a hit, with students from Mr. Sachowski's grade 7 French Immersion class and Mr. Kraynik's grade 9 art class joining the audience. "Everyone was raving about the costumes, the singing, the dancing, and the play in general," Sewell added.

The lasting impact of these productions is profound. Sewell shared, "It is impactful when students who have since graduated from SMB or even high school approach me to either ask about this year's play or reminisce about the play they took part in. This is a lasting memory every teacher hopes to achieve in their career."

As the curtains close on "SING," the excitement for the next production is already building. Stay tuned for "MOANA" in May 2025!