Confederation Secondary School will make history this month when students take to the stage to present Betty's Diner, the school's very first theatre production. Set in the 1950s, Betty's Diner is a student-written comedy that traces the closure of a local diner and its effects on the area's teens, said a news release.
Betty's Diner will be presented on Mar. 28 and 29 at 7:30 pm in the auditorium at Confederation Secondary School. Tickets, at $7 for adults and $6 for students, are available at the Confederation Secondary School main office. The public can also reserve seats by calling the school at 897-4985.
"Confederation Secondary School has a successful athletics program, a vibrant visual arts department and a rock band that's so talented they have received phenomenal support from the professional arts community. Now we have a threatre program to call our own," said Confederation Secondary School Principal Mike Mirka, in a news release. "We are delighted to welcome the community to our school for our very first production."
Co-directed by student Kyla Carter and teachers Jesse Brooks and Ashley Paige Fraser, Betty's Diner was written by Danielle MacEchron. Visual Arts teacher Barry Williams and Technological Studies teacher Earl Cote worked on the set designs along with students.
"They say great things come from simple beginnings - a tiny idea, a spark of creativity and a dash of guts to get it off the ground," said Fraser. "This must have been in Kyla Carter's mind when she decided to take on the challenging task of bringing the schoolÃŒs very first play to life."
"The production was a huge undertaking," adds Brooks. "We raised funds to cover the cost of the production, including the set, costumes and props. Working as a team has made a big difference. This has been an exciting opportunity for the entire cast and crew."
Ashley Paige Fraser is a graduate of the Performing Arts Program at Sudbury Secondary School. Over the past 15 years, she has been involved in some 40 productions. For his part, Jesse Brooks launched an improv team at Confederation Secondary School last year, with positive results.
According to Principal Mike Mirka, drama can teach students important lessons. "Students gain time management, coordination, concentration and problem-solving skills. They also learn how to focus and work with others. These skills will help students in both learning and life."
