There is far more to being a part of the Sundre High School Drama Club than getting on stage in character and reciting lines.
"One thing is it tends to increase self confidence," said teacher and co-director Brian Bailey during an interview with the Round Up when asked about the kinds of benefits students gain from participating in the club.
Students become more comfortable speaking in front of crowds, regardless of whether it's a large number of people, a small group or even simply a one-on-one conversation, he said, adding they also increase their ability to empathize with others.
A person must learn to listen and appreciate what other people are going through, otherwise that individual cannot relate let alone properly respond to them, he said.
"It makes you more alert and responsive. Listening is a learned skill."
Additionally, the drama club provides an opportunity for students to work together in a supportive, non-competitive group. Along the way, they also learn about discipline through understanding not only what they need to do but when, the teacher said, adding that acting is not about goofing off.
In fact, reliability is another beneficial byproduct for students who participate in drama as they come to realize they're part of a team. The club also provides the potential to build bridges between students who might not have otherwise realized they have far more in common than they perhaps thought, he said.
"People who start with nothing in common end up realizing they're kindred spirits, or at least come to appreciate one another more."
And of course, acting also improves memory as well as basic skills such as reading and speaking articulately, he said.
"It really covers a lot of stuff," he said about the drama club.
The club wrapped up its annual production in February, which this year was a performance of a play called Office Hours, written by Canadian playwright Norm Foster. Rather than following a linear path from start to finish, the play features six separate interrelated storylines that eventually build up to intersect in the end, he said.
An accumulative total of about 220 people came out for the three performances, held at the Sundre Arts Centre Feb. 16-18.
"It was satisfying," Bailey said.
This year's production featured a large contingent of new drama students who grew a lot throughout the process, he said.
"Some had never been on stage before."
Auditions began in October, followed by weekly rehearsals. As the play's scheduled dates approached, the club practised twice a week. This year's cast had 11 students ó six males and five females as well as a stage manager. Jamie Syer helped co-direct, and fellow teacher Ryan Beck also pitched in to assist when needed, said Bailey.
Grade 11 student Danny Kamaleddine was among the cast, and he told the Round Up his primary motivation for participating in drama is to entertain people. But he also appreciates the opportunity to forge new friendships and have fun as well. There's also a certain sense of satisfaction following three, successful back-to-back performances, he said.
Originally getting involved in the drama club in Grade 9, Kamaleddine said he was motivated to join after observing how the group interacted.
"They seemed really good at what they were doing, so I thought I'd try it out."
This year, he was one of two senior drama club performers ó the other was Zane Stokalko ó who helped mentor many Grade 9 students.
"They actually really amazed us," he said.
"They were good with their lines and their acting."
He encourages any students who have considered joining the club but have so far been reluctant to simply try it out.
"Get on stage and give it a shot, because if you don't try it, you're always going to regret not doing it and you won't know how it feels. Once you're up there, it's a piece of cake. The hardest part is getting up there, after that you're set."
After about 15 years of being involved with the school's drama club, Bailey said he plans to retire.
"For me, it's been a good run. I've met some excellent kids, some I'm proud to still associate with and call friends."
Although the teacher will be stepping down from his involvement with the high school drama productions, he plans to remain involved in theatre and is working with Syer on a musical comedy scheduled for this summer.
Kamaleddine said Bailey, as well as Syer, "have really put in the time and effort to make all of our productions be amazing."
