Erinoak’s kids take to the stage
ErinoakKids Drama Program presents ‘The Dress Rehearsal’
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 -- Jason Thompson
The ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development is inviting members of community to attend a production of The Dress Rehearsal Monday June 15 at Cawthra Park Secondary School in Mississauga.
Featuring a cast of young people with disabilities, the play was written and adapted by ErinoakKids’ drama facilitator Danielle Strnad.
“Drama teaches skills such as active listening and all forms of expressiveness – physical, facial and verbal,” Strnad said in a news release.
“It teaches focus and concentration as well, so it’s a natural way to improve the lives of children coping with disabilities.”
Known around the centre as InterACTion, the drama program at ErinoakKids began in the fall of 1999 when Strnad joined the centre as drama facilitator. The drama program is designed to promote social development, enhance self-esteem, and improve communication skills.
In 2005, the group was presented with an award for Best Emerging Performing Arts Group, given by the Mississauga Arts Council.
The group has presented a number of productions since its inception, including The Circus that Never Was, The Big Yellow School Bus, Up Close & Personal, The Princess and The Moon, Many Moons, Sherlock Holmes and the Diamond of Death, and Cinderuski.
The program has also benefited from association with community groups such as Arts Express, the School of Professional Make-up Inc., Mississauga Arts Council, Soulpepper Theatre Company, The Acting Studio, Meadowvale Theatre, Theatre Unlimited, Central Pentecostal Church, independent consultants of Mary Kay and individual guest artists from the community.
The drama program has also cemented a partnership with the drama department at Cawthra Park Secondary School. As part of the partnership, Cawthra students volunteer to help the drama program at ErinoakKids.
“Cawthra Park is an outstanding venue for our newest production,” says Strnad, who is also the director and head drama facilitator of DramaWay [www.dramaway.com], an organization dedicated to providing a creative outlet for people young through drama and other art forms.
The play is scheduled for June 15 at 7 p.m. at Cawthra Park Secondary School located at 1305 Cawthra Rd. in Mississauga.
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