Emily Southwood –
On April 12th and 13th, Ormstown Elementary School showcased its impressive production: OES Goes to Oz. Throughout three live performances, crowds cheered on their relatives, classmates, and friends in a top-notch musical.
Grades five and six acted and sang the moving interpretation of the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, while grades three and four performed heartwarming musical numbers (conducted by play director Travis Irwin).
The students tirelessly rehearsed their moving performances with the support of teachers Anne Marie McCaffrey and Danielle Schinck. The beloved classic was also enhanced by impressive costumes from Yvonne Lewis-Langlois and Lynn Ouimet, and set designs by Ann Tessier, all of which were executed as a joint effort. The commitment from students and teachers reflects the school’s belief in the importance of the performing arts.
According to an article on scholastic.com How the Performing Arts Benefit Kids, the rewards of theatre extend far beyond the thrill of the limelight. Performing in front of a crowd requires students to think on their feet. Focusing on adaptability and perseverance in a difficult moment like flubbing a line are skills that undoubtedly come in handy later in life. Acting also encourages expression of emotions and empathy for someone else’s predicaments. Theatre can also be a launching pad to talk about sensitive issues, build self-esteem, and be a part of something bigger than oneself.
School Principal, Joanne Henrico explains the impact she sees in OES students who have had the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone, develop self-esteem, and demonstrate abilities in other areas. “We are always impressed by how well the students perform as a group and are always surprised by how some individuals « take » to the challenges. We have seen students who would normally struggle with getting their homework completed be the first ones to learn all of their lines! It permits the teachers (and the students) to use these accomplishments as new reference points for the continued efforts in school.”
Principal Henrico also highlighted the dedication of not only teachers but the school’s caretaker and support staff. “This challenge puts teamwork to the test and our collaborative efforts get smoother every year, which spills over to everything else that we do.” The team already has plans for next year to create even more student involvement in the writing and preparations through their ELA and FSL classes, in order to integrate the effort across their curriculum. In anticipation for next year’s show, Grade four students are already buzzing about how they will be moving from the choir to the stage and speculating on what they might perform. One thing is for sure, OES goes to Oz has raised the bar.
