Service with a curtain call for CCAS

After almost two years in the making, students at Central Coast Adventist School (CCAS) have finally enjoyed their first major theatrical production. The CCAS production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest opened to the public over two nights in May.
While the play itself was a success, it represented more than a few hours’ entertainment.
Two years ago Merrilee Sleigh, a teacher at the school, noticed a gap and saw an opportunity to develop what she identifies as “communication skills, self-esteem and a sense of community” through drama.
Since then, she has worked with students and staff toward building not only this performance, but a new option for course work that will hopefully flow into the HSC years.
At the heart of the new drama course for Years 9 and 10 is an overtly Christian focus on service. As the students experience a variety of dramatic modes in their classes from puppetry to Shakespearian theatre, they look for opportunities to share these new skills with the community.
For example, during the coming term students will be using marionettes to share Bible stories with primary school students and visiting a local nursing home as clowns.
While this offers excellent mission opportunities and builds meaningful connections between our Adventist schools and the broader community, the most impressive impact has been upon the students themselves, who all said they felt the value of the production.
Building on the success of this first play, the school hopes to put together one major production a year. “I’m over the moon—just so very, very proud of our students,” says Mrs Sleigh. “I look forward to our next adventure!”