APRIL 29, 2019
Four months of hard work paid off in spades with yesterday's production of "When Friendship is Complicated" - a two play performance that involved 21 young actors and a host of adults working behind the scenes to bring the work to a successful conclusion. Repeating the Home Page...
- Words cannot express our gratitude to Janice Rider, director of the Chameleon Drama Group, and cast and crew for their production Sunday, entitled "When Friendship is Complicated." With a cast of 21 for two plays, (14 active mic-pacs in operation), the young ones delivered their lines with ease to an enthusiastic audience after service. Dave Rider and his crew provided a light lunch before the plays began. The rehearsal Saturday night was cut short by the snow storm but the production Sunday was incredibly well done. What a gift is Janice, who writes and directs these twice yearly productions! Watch for fall rehearsal times - it keeps us busy on Saturday nights!!
JANUARY 29, 2019
Our Janice Rider, screen play writer and stage director, is probably working extra hard as she works out scripts to include the 22 plus youngsters who attended the inaugural rehearsal for the April 28, 2019 production. Thank you Deb C. who once again is Janice's assistant director.
JANUARY 26, 2019
Hear ye! Hear ye! All eager young actors are invited to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. on Saturday night, January 26, 2019. Returning actors will know the drill and novice actors can come and join in the fun that is the Chameleon Drama Group. See you there. Here is a message from Janice: )
Hi All,
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A Fall 2018 message from Janice:
Hi Everyone,
See file attachments below for the updated documents.
APRIL 16, 2018
Another curtain closes and the lights have been turned off. Actually, we don't use curtains and stage sets just appear and disappear as if by magic (with a lot of help from Yvonne and Heather, backstage). The play, "The Corsican Twins," was a resounding success with all 17 actors playing about 20 roles. Actors appeared in period costume and there was never time for a prompt from the side - lines were learned and delivered like the professionals do it. Having had the opportunity to help out with coaching over the preparation period, I was amazed to watch the competency of the young ones as they emoted with delight, sorrow... whatever the role called for. Well done, Chameleons!! Thanks to our young pianist, Julie and her mom for the magic of music, to Heather and crew for makeup, for Gail for supplying incredible costumes, for Barry for working sound with me, for David R. and crew for preparing and serving lunch and for David for his photography. Such fun. I can hardly wait for the next season!!!
MARCH 18, 2018
And now we are getting serious with two practices on the weekends, both Friday and Saturday night. Sound work will wait until April 6 and 7. It looks really great!!! Costumes are amazing. P.S. the rehearsal schedule can be found by scrolling down to the bottom of this page.
MARCH 5, 2018
A cast of 19 is busy preparing the play, "The Corsican Twins," for presentation after service on April 15, 2018. This past Saturday night, we concentrated on Act 1 and it's good!!! Mark the 15th of April on your calendar and celebrate the youth of SDUC and company.
JANUARY 14, 2018
IT'S TIME FOR ALL OUR YOUNG ACTORS TO GET BACK TO WORK MEMORIZING THEIR LINES. Janice Rider, our amazing director, has sent out the following invitation to join the Chamelion Drama Group:
Hi Everyone,
She would like to hear from interested folk, young and old, by January 19. Contact the church office for further details.
MARK NOVEMBER 19 ON YOUR CALENDAR AND COME TO SDUC for lunch and then "Nearest Neighbours," the play that Janice and the Chameleon Drama Group have been working on since September when they first gathered.
When the Brawn family move into a new neighbourhood, they are soon swept into the eccentric world of Tabitha Bluett. Tabitha is no ordinary teenager - quite the contrary. She is a self-professed snoop and wants to know everything she can about all the people who live in her area. Young Lillian Brawn forms a friendship with Tabitha which will, ulti- mately, lead them on an unexpected adventure as a result of inquiring a little too closely into the life of Martin Runstable, an irascible hermit.
When does our production take place?
November 19th, following the church service.
Where?
In the sanctuary, of course!
What time?
About 11:45 am.
Will you be fed first?
Yes! A light luncheon will precede the play.
A NEW PLAY AND THIS TIME ITS GENRE IS SCIENCE FICTION. At 7 p.m. on September 16, parents and budding actors gathered for further information and an introduction to the new play. Eleven budding actors were present with three more in the wings. Practice is scheduled for September 23 at 6 p.m. Janice's work with the young people of St. David's and area is incredible. Share in this amazing opportunity.
We were royally entertained April 30, 2017 after church and a light lunch with "The Dragon Factor." The young actors really outdid themselves as their story came to life on stage. Thank you, for your tireless energy and direction, Janice. We can hardly wait for our next performance!!
CHAMELEON DRAMA GROUP: Check your email for Janice's rehearsal schedule for the month of March. Rehearsals are on Saturday night beginning at 6:00 p.m. Make sure you download your script for the new play. It has been finalized and the cast is set. Enjoy!!
ATTENTION, BUDDING ACTORS AND ACTRESSES: Janice has launched into rehearsals for the spring play. If you know someone who would like to spend his or her Saturday evenings in the spring rehearsing for another of Janice's amazing plays, give her a call. It takes many volunteers to guarantee a successful season.
REHEARSALS: for our April 30 production under the direction of Janice Rider begin Saturday night. Check your email for messages from Janice as the season progresses.
BACKGROUND TO DRAMA AT SDUC:
I began the St. David's Drama Club in response to a request from both my boys, respectively ages 12 and 9 at the time, I had no idea that it would begin a special journey for me and all those that became involved over the years.
Most children who have been involved in the club have participated for an extended period of time (usually years), which has meant that I have had the wonderful opportunity to see them grow and change. The club has seen children as young as eight involved and youth up to eighteen years of age. Young adults in their early twenties have joined us, as have older members of the congregation. The mix of ages in the group has meant that younger children have been mentored and encouraged by older people. Friendships have formed. Members have learned the value of collaboration.
Imagination and creativity have been fostered. Shy adherents have gained confidence and the ability to speak clearly and well upon the stage. Those reluctant to make eye contact have found the courage to look another actor or actress in the eye. By assuming the character of another, members have learned something about being in another's shoes. Club members have learned about great literary works, expanded their vocabularies, and increased their proficiency in communicating verbally and non-verbally.
There is so much that being part of a drama production entails, so many life lessons to be learned from helping to pull something off as a team. And, then, to have a production come off well is such a feeling of accomplishment for everyone involved!
I am happy to be involved in the drama ministry at St. David's.
Janice Rider