St George’s International School in Luxembourg-Hamm is hosting a Summer Stage School from the 20 - 25 August during which time around 30 students aged 9-16 will be challenged to put the popular musical, Annie to the stage, in a performance on Friday 25 August at 18:00 in the school's auditorium.
The Summer Stage School is from 09:00 - 16:00 daily and provides continuity of learning in the arts and the opportunity to gain performance experience during the summer.
This course is recommended for students with a passion for stage performance and is open to St George's students and those with a connection to the school.
Enrolment is €430/student (now fully booked); each student will receive a performance pack that includes the official Annie Kids Student Book and a St George's Summer Stage School T-shirt.
For full details, see https://st-georges.lu/community/events
Chronicle.lu talked with Merrin Bydder, Individual Music Teacher at St George's, who is coordinating the Summer Stage School. She explained that this is a musical theatre stage or day-camp that her colleague Clare Williams and she started back in 2019. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they put it on hold and are now happy to relaunch it again this year. She also explained "While it is predominantly students from St George's who are taking part, we do have a number of students coming from other schools".
For those who would like to attend the performance on Friday 25 August at 18:00, entry is free-of-charge and prior registration is required, via email: communications@st-georges.lu.
Merrin Bydder added "The concept is 'a musical in a week', five days in which we build acting, singing, (doing) choreography and prop-making skills. The final off-script performance with costumes, sound and lighting takes place on the Friday evening in the St George's Auditorium. Not only do students have the opportunity to develop their abilities in the performing arts, there are multiple benefits that include social and emotional wellbeing, creative expression, opportunities for friendship, team-building, improved literacy and public speaking. Most students who join are keen performers but there are possibilities for involvement in backstage roles if that is preferred".
Merrin Bydder concluded "I have recently written a Master Thesis exploring the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children's engagement with performing art education. For some children, the lack of in-person opportunities and frustrations with online learning affected their enjoyment of learning performing arts significantly. It is important for the recovery of the performing arts that we provide access to fun and engaging performance opportunities once again".
