The Rise and Rise of Burncoat Drama Club
Burncoat is known for its daily drama but for one day in the school year, the school’s students can actually be rewarded for their theatrical skill sets. For over four years now, Burncoat’s own Theater teacher, Aimee Kewley, has been running the school’s Drama Club where anyone and everyone is welcome to partake. The purpose behind the club is not only to put on a production, but to perform said production in the annual METG Drama Festival. Once a show is picked, the club sets forth on a five-month journey to prepare for the competition against seven other high school drama clubs in February. With the standards and expectations raised high, rehearsals are two days a week for two hours. Every element is student run and the club’s members are pushed to do their best.
The club’s technical director, Kristen Pichette had nothing but positive things to say on her experience in her four years as part of the club. “[It] is very fulfilling working with your peers on a high quality show.” Smiling, she concludes, “It’s amazing to see what we are able to accomplish in the short amount of time we have.”
This year, Drama Club is presenting The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket. The preliminary rounds commence at Westford Academy. The twelve-hour festival day takes a massive toll on each member, as well as the adult supervisors, but the hard work put into the show shines true when they hit the stage for the set forty-minute time slot. The day is serious and stressful, but the opportunity to meet new people and share the love of theatre in the same atmosphere is an amazing experience. With the day consisting of multiple shows, games, food, a dance and an award ceremony, all will be exhausted by the end of the night, but extremely satisfied all the same.
The experience Drama Club gives its members is unlike any other club at Burncoat. Whether it is getting your first role in a play as a freshman or saying goodbye to the Theatre family as a senior, Drama Club is more than just a club. Considered the underdogs of the competition, Burncoat, as a result, is always putting every ounce of hard work and love they possess into their performance. Participating in a professional theatre competition and meeting some of the most talented kids from high schools across Massachusetts is very gratifying. There is no better feeling than to share the show they have been dreaming up for the past few months to new friends and the judges. Every minute of the long and stressful, but awe inspiring event that is Dramafest is worth it. Drama Club, of course, encourages you to join the Family and to continue to support the arts!