Hunting Hills High School Drama Program

Inclusion, Creativity, Safety, Community

“I do not know where I would be without fine arts … fine arts define my life and who I am.”

M.D.

Inclusion

“If you commit to the show, to your classmates… you are welcome to join us. You will be a significant part of the show. You will have

the ongoing opportunity to earn more responsibility. You will be valued.”

Serve the play.

A different way to audition…

“You mean they will have a part for me? For me?”

N.D. (A new grade nine registrant with special

needs)

But more importantly, the program has included…anyone

“Good schools have good programs and support for the top academic students, the 20% of elite honour students, and for the 20% with

special needs.

Great schools strive to reach the other 60%.”

“J, you have no idea how hard the last few years have been. The family stuff, my personal life.

But I could come to drama and find my friends, my soul-mates. I had a place where I could be

who I really am.”

C. M.

Do we ever say to a child:

“Don’t take science, you will never be a scientist?”

Why do we say that about the arts?

“(Drama) is where I belong, where I can be myself without being judged and where I am loved.”

D.Q.

“(Drama) has been a life-changing experience; I’ve made new friends. As well as become more

enthusiastic, and not shy…”

B.S.

Creativity

A different kind of technical team…

Poster from the mid-50’s issued by Senator Joseph McCarthy at the height of the Red Scare and the anti-communist witch hunt in Washington. All artists were suspects.

Safety: Room to Fail / Opportunity to Excel

“Drama is life.”B. W.

“Being involved in drama has opened up my entire life. Being in theatre has helped

me battle my anxiety and depression… I wouldn’t take back my experience in theatre

for anything.”

H.W.

CommunityPixar University has a motto:

Alienus Non Diutius – “Alone No Longer”.

It is aimed at encouraging employees to fail together and recover from mistakes together.

“Drama 2008 – 2012: Our home, our family, our safe haven.”

T.D.

What does this all accomplish?

“ (Drama) teaches me important skills that I want for the future…”

H.W.

“Arts education offers students opportunities to learn… habits of mind and skills, which are not

always addressed by other subjects:

Social competencies such as empathy and collaboration.”

(Deskins and Lorenze, 2012)

“Here's to the crazy ones…

Steve Jobs