Joshua Creek Public School students, staff and parents
delight in Beauty and the Beast

View pictures set to music of the play here: http://www.hdsb.ca/library/videos/BeautyBeast.mpg
Photos by Jason Misner, Communications Officer, HDSB staff

Starting in mid-October, 120 dedicated Joshua Creek Public School grades 5-8 students, as well as 40 parents and 15 staff members began diligently putting together an elaborate rendition of the beloved Disney story, Beauty and the Beast.

Practices ran ever week, including a weekend, until the curtain dropped on a series of performances last month.

Joshua Creek PS chose to perform Beauty and the Beast as it’s a favourite among children, and incorporated lots of parts and costumes, a huge selling point with students.

The play had an important tie in with school curriculum, according to the school.

Creating and Presenting Drama is the creative process asked by the Ontario Ministry of Education for all grades to practice. By using elements and conventions of drama, students communicate feelings and ideas. Joshua Creek’s annual musicals aim to give students the opportunities to shine on stage.

As a community gesture, Joshua Creek did a performance for members from a local retirement home.

“It’s part of our school's mission statement: We, at Joshua Creek, will work collaboratively as a community of learners to foster success through commitment to excellence, ownership of our learning, understanding and caring, growing together in our global community, attentive listening and respect,” says Steve Pilibbossian, principal of Joshua Creek Public School. “It has always been our mandate to reach out to others in our community and celebrate with them our student accomplishments and successes.”

Pilibbossian says 150 tickets have already been pre-sold to retirement home seniors to attend two matinee performances next year.

The play was a rousing success.

“In our fourth year of producing high-calibre musical productions, this was by far the best we have produced,” states Pilibbossian. “Previous year productions were stellar as well, however, each year we reflect and learn from our experiences and improve our structures and processes.”

In 2008-09, the school performed The King and I; Cinderella in 2007-08; and Once Upon an Island in 2006-07.

“We are in the process of discussing next year's production, which I am sure will be another successful hit,” the principal says.