SYF 2009 Recap

Dear Drama Club members,

So just like that, SYF is done and dusted. See what I told you about how pain is only temporary? The truth is that actors exist just for that brief glorious or dismal moment onstage, and try as you might, you can never recreate the moment. If you keep that in your heart and mind, and give of your best before and during each and every performance, i think you're going to develop a real passion for the stage and experience magic time and time again.

We need to thank some people formally once again: Mr Wong, for being there and believing in us all; Wei Ting, for insisting and persisting and putting her soul into this enterprise; Benny, Shirley, Ling Yuan, Kah Lok, Joshua and Chu Ying, for styaing back on so many afternoons to get the set done, Joshua and Gwen, for being very very reliable SMs who were summoned at short notice, Gabriel, for conducting sessions with the Sec Ones in the weeks that Mr Wong was getting exasperated by the SYF cast, the SYF cast, for eventually pulling through (I hope you now realise that you are much stronger than you think you are---YAY!), the Sec one girls (hey how come we have no boys this year---it's like Jane and Yuen Fong's batch!) for performing their duties to the best of their ability, Amarish, who seems to have matured overnight, K-Tyn, for always being enthusiastic, Mairah, for awesome acting chops since Day One, Kai Mei for giving of her best even when the going was tough.

If I have not mentioned you by name it is not because you are any less important, but that these guys really showed their mettle and proved their worth. You came for training whether you were cast or crew, and you battled illness and injury because the show had to go on. Bravo! As we have said time and again, ALL of you mattered--it was a team effort, and there are many group moments that stand out in my mind, such as cheering outside CJC after we were praised by some random teacher haha, the awed silence that enveloped us after we felt the magic onstage, the mad dash for snacks and ice-cream during rehearsals, Mr. Wong and Ms Tan telling you off for your lack of commitment....you know, I was very sad to hear that several of you were thinking of quitting. I was sad because I didn't understand why you wanted to leave a fun and exciting group of people. Initially I was angry because I was concerned that you would influence one another to dislike CCA and leave, or gossip to spread bad vibes. I was also angry as I thought that you were giving up too easily.

But then I decided that maybe all you needed was some encouragement and you would be able to find the strength and discipline within you to make the trip worthwhile. And I'm glad that it did happen for most of you. You came alive becuase there for something to fight for, and be responsible for. I hope that commitment brings you through any other difficulties and doubts you might face---your seniors Sheean, Timo, Vivian, Joshua believed in the Club no matter what. If you still feel you need to leave, then I wish you all the best--bring glory to your new CCA. To those who're staying here to fight the good fight, let's been awesome specimens of GESSians--pupils of integrity, ability, resilience and compassion. I am glad to have go9tten the chance to know some of you better, and in the days to come I hope to get to know the Sec ones better too! Seniors---make friends with them! :)

Up next are the Mid-Years, and I want to make it very clear that I do not expect anyone to do badly, because if you study hard from today onwards, you will definitely get decent results. Do not use drama training as an excuse---the most successful pupils excel at both academics and CCAs--because they are disciplined and love what they do. Spend less time gossiping, sparring, LAN-ing and eating and you will find that you have a lot more time to study AND even catch a movie :)

We will meet again in mid-May, and Mr Wong will be keen to impart more theatre wisdom, and we'll go catch plays and visit professional theatre companies for advice on acting as well as technical theatre (lights, sound, set design). We might also have a camp in JUne as well as a BBQ celebration for SYF :) We also are going to have a farewell party for the seniors in July, and seeing how awesome our seniors our, YOU BETTER MAKE A GOOD VIDEO AND PUT UP A GOOD PERFORMANCE AND GIVE THEM NICE MEMORABLE PRESENTS. Honsetly, how can life in the Drama Club be boring, seriously? You jsut have to find your own niche--in life you'll be happy as long as you have something to do, something to hope for, and someone to love.

I will end this long post with some pictures from Thursday. I've checked and there is no judging next Friday (am not sure why they told the teachers next Fri) so let me double check the release of the results with the organisers again before getting back to you. I must tell you now that I think we did very very well, but the truth is that it is up to the judges, so even if we do not get a Gold, please do not think we are lousy, because we were wonderful! Results are not everything, really!

In the meantime, take care, remind Farhanah and Siva about giving us the t-shirt design, encourage one another and Sheralynn, Benny, Joshua and Tzer Bin, please update this place regularly, and allow comments so everyone can leave their thoughts about the entries posted. No Singlish and vague writing please *looks pointedly at Tzer Bin* Write sincerely and properly darlings!

Cheers and love,

Mrs Tee :)