Here’s a great story of an intrepid drama teacher in country Victoria going the extra mile for her students by SFS's Karen Keegan

She won a free incursion for her students by being a subscriber to SHOWS FOR SCHOOLS. 

Image: L-R: Crusoe College teachers Heather McCloskey, Jenni Hillman-Kaye and Tasmanian Theatre Company's Iain Lang on the set of  THE BOY WITH THE LONGEST SHADOW

Crusoe College (years 7-10) in Bendigo, Victoria is in a poor socio-economic area. They have not had a performance at the school for 6 years. This is because not everyone could afford to pay the $5 or so to attend. Drama teacher, Heather McCloskey estimated maybe 50 of her 180 Year 8  students would be able to pay. So that’s useless, what’s the point of having a performance if everyone can’t go?

When she saw the Shows For Schools/RAV promotion of a free show for a SFS Victorian Teacher subscriber last term, she went for it. She asked all her colleagues to subscribe and lots did. One, Jenni Hillman-Kaye, who teaches Textiles, won. Yippee.

Of the four shows on offer, Heather chose THE BOY WITH THE LONGEST SHADOW from Tasmanian Theatre Company because they were studying a unit on Bullying. The show is written by the prolific and talented Finegan Kruckemeyer. about identical twins, one very cool and popular, the other a nerd. The nerd is bullied. It’s such a clever way of examining what makes someone fit in and what doesn’t.

Portraying the 12 year old twins, as well as a 12 year old bully, is Iain Lang in a performing tour de force. Iain, as you can see from the photo above, is not a child, but not for a moment do you think he is anything other than a 12 year old boy in the show. Brilliant. 

So, how did it go? Luckily, Heather loved it. She said it was great for students to see how one person could play several characters and how a play could address social issues so innovatively and be entertaining at the same time. 

I sat at the back behind a row of Year 8 boys who looked pretty happy to be sitting at the back. I watched them during the show. They didn’t fidget or nudge each other or speak throughout, so I figured it kept their attention.  

What did the kids say to their teachers afterwards? The usual range, from boring to awesome, and notably, they all accepted Iain as the 12 year old. The comment that moved me most was this one   "It was weird. It was the story of my life..." Well if the arts can make you look at your life and suggest solutions and perspective, what more could we want?

Bendigo has a vibrant arts community with brilliant education shows on offer through The Capital Theatre. So, how depressing is it that there is this nearby school with great teachers and kids who just can’t afford to go there or have performing groups to the school? I suggested they need a patron. Applications open. Any other suggestions, very welcome.

Congratulations to Heather on her initiative, to her colleagues for supporting her and the performance; and to all the students, who got it, even if they don’t see much or any theatre. 

Here’s what Jenni said "Thank you for a superbly entertaining and poignant play. I really enjoyed the production and all that it represented"  We’re really glad you subscribed.

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