HOUGHTON – A videoconferencing facility at Sacred Heart College has given pupils the unique opportunity to collaborate with international schools through performing arts.
A programme called TheatreLink, run by the Manhattan Theatre Company in New York, has made it possible for the Joburg north school to interact with other pupils in the United States.
Only 20 schools worldwide participate in this innovative initiative whereby schools write original plays for their partner schools to produce, and watch each other’s work via live video conferencing. The classes in geographically remote locations then discuss the streamed performance with their partner school.
The Grade 11 dramatic arts class at Sacred Heart produced the play Disappearance which was written by a school in Texas. In turn, a school in Florida has produced a play called Amandla written by the Joburg north pupils.
The Sacred Heart College Grade 11 class performed Disappearance for fellow pupils and visitors in the school’s Old Chapel Theatre on Friday 30 May.
The play revolves around a disjointed family dealing with an abusive relative, and the terrible mistake two sisters make to protect their grandmother from her son’s actions.
Drama teacher at the school, Tamara Schulz said, “TheatreLink provides a cross-cultural experience for the learners… and it is a fantastic opportunity for them to go through the entire play-making process, from writing through to directing, acting, designing and doing the technical work.”
