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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am a high school drama teacher with 31 years of
experience. I need your help and support.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have never cancelled a show, and I have worked
under many political dicatorships , yet this year because of the recent events
in B.C. Politics I am facing the withdrawal of all my voluntary extra-curricular
work, aka directing a play. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Our school is well known and respected for the high
quality of our work, and over the last 20 years we have produced some of the
greatest plays of dramatic literature, from Sophocles to Shakespeare, Brecht to
Miller. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Our recent repertory included <EM>The Crucible,The
Good Woman of Setzuan</EM>, Aristophanes' <EM>The Birds</EM>, an original
production of <EM>Frankenstein</EM> (written and directed by my colleague), and
my personal favorite<EM>, Our Country's Good</EM>, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We always try to pick plays which have a strong
social or political context because we enjoy teaching our students that theatre
has an important social function, and should challenge the audience to think.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This year we decided to dedicate the entire year to
Shakespeare, and we have already mounted a production of <EM>Twelfth
Night.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The second play, <EM>Much Ado About
Nothing</EM> has been cast, the sets and costumes designed, ready to go
into rehearsal, and we are faced with the possibility of canceling the show as a
protest to the B.C Government and their draconian legislation. Drama teachers
are withdrawing their voluntary services in many school districts.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have a wonderful group of talented students,
and they have already indicated that if we cancel the play they are behind
us 100%. They want us to stand up for what we believe in. They put it in
writing, and are following up with some individual political protests of their
own.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>After many sleepless nights I have decided that we
should continue with a play, maybe not <EM>Much Ado,</EM> but something a bit
edgier, a play about civil rights, or oppressive governments, or standing up for
yourself. These are the lessons I want to teach my students through theatre. I
want to wake them from their feeling of helplessness. Me too. This is the only
way I know to teach. I don't want to miss an opportunity to give the students a
special voice in this difficult time.I have a plan, but I am struggling to find
a script.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I welcome suggestions of scripts - ensemble works
are preferred. (25-35 actors)I will direct it class time only (this is a
Performance class, and we meet outside the timetable) so I am limited to a few
hours a week. Our protest only covers extra-curricular, voluntary time.The
production dates are late April, so we have time to produce "one hell of a barn
storming 50-75 minute, shake your bones, noisy protest." Suggestion and comments
please. Should I cancel, carry on with <EM>Much Ado About Nothing</EM>,
or...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Please forward your ideas.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I thank you in advance.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Don Keith</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kelowna Secondary School</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>KELOWNA B.C.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>