Oliver romps at St. Paul

Pupils blossom with theatrical training - teacher

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Although she had to quit teaching for three months after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last year, Cleall is back to continue her mission.

This year, Cleall, who teaches only two days a week, came to St. Paul School for three extra days to prepare her Oliver cast.

On April 23 and 24 her Grade 4 and Grade 6 students staged the Charles Dickens' classic.

"I do things like this because I love it and because I really think it's a lot of fun. I am not doing it because somebody said I have to or because it's part of the curriculum," Cleall told the WCR before the performances.

Projects like this was not new to the veteran music teacher who staged plays at Our Lady of Victory School for 12 years.

Cleall is passionate in her belief performing arts is very good for children. "It improves their sense of self. It enables some kids who may never get a chance to be a star."

A student might have only two minutes on stage with a single line, but such exposure is something they will remember for the rest of their lives, the music teacher said.

"They're not going to remember some of the things they did at school, but this one they will never forget."

One more bonus of doing collaborative projects such as this is it gives a child a sense of community because they have to work all together and they know how much work it takes.

That's just a fabulous opportunity for the children, she said

"If you ask adults the thing they're most afraid of, most people would not say death. They would say getting up in front of people and speaking.

"So if you can do it as a child, you can get used to it. It enhances one's self esteem. It gives you a better sense of yourself."

Oliver cast members reinforced their teacher's perceptions.

All were confident and offered insightful responses to a reporter's questions.

Amy Voyer, 9, who played Oliver said "I am glad that at my school extra-curricular activities have not been taken away from us because I really love acting."

"If it would have been taken away, it would be like just working and working and that's all you get. That's not fun," the Grade 4 student said.

Ryan Yusep, 11, who portrayed Mr. Bumble, said, "If we didn't have any of these extra-curricular activities, I probably would have turned into a mindless zombie.

"If you don't really do something other than work, you wouldn't be a balanced person."

Preparing for the shows are a lot of work but a lot of fun both for Cleall and the cast. She has all Grade 4s and Grade 6s, 150 in total, involved in the production.

For Cleall, spontaneity is crucial if one wants the cast to be spontaneous. "But you have to have a certain amount of control and discipline.

"If you don't really do something other than work, you wouldn't be a balanced person." - Ryan Yusep

"So you're walking that line all the time."

Parents of the students and fellow teachers were supportive of the acting venture.

"You don't even have to say, 'Could you please?' " said Cleall. "That makes my job a lot easier."

Preparations for the show were taxing. Cleall did most of the work in class. On the last couple of weeks before the performances, they rehearsed outside the classroom.

Alex Kubish, 10, the other Oliver, said "This is a great experience. Just being in the play is fun. You don't get that many chances in your life."

The other Oliver - Amy loves her character. "Oliver is an orphan child but he is high spirited."

The other fun part for Amy is that Oliver gets to do lots of dancing and singing.

Ryan had a lot of fun learning the lines and characterization of Mr. Bumble. "Mr. Bumble is a mean guy because he's the one who sold Oliver. It's a great challenge for me because I am not a mean kind of guy."

The production had two different casts. This allowed twice as many children to participate in the shows.

The music for the shows was taken from Oliver, a musical popularized in New York and London.

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