Save the Play!

Don't be dumb. Creative expression has been around since the days of the bars

This is invaluable to those involved. To cancel would be tragedy.

SAVE THE SMA PLAY!

Sadly, not surprising. Arts always seem to be the first to go. I hope this decision is reconsidered!

This play means so much to the girls who go here, don't take it away from them.

Drama and the annual productions were - and should continue to be - an essential part of the value proposition in attending and supporting SMA.

Save the Play !

Ok

I have enjoyed SMA plays for over 30 years. They have always been such great plays

I want to continue this journey in the play. I have made so much new friends from different grades. I can show my love for the arts and have fun. Save the play!!!

i wish y’all the best !

Echo my nephew... Stop the wackness

Hi SMA, I am not informed on the reasons behind changing the yearly play to a biennial event, but I suspect it has to do with funding. It has been my experience that audiences don’t need lavish productions in order to have a good time, and by the same token I do not think actors and actresses need an exorbitant amount of money to perform. The reason folks come to drama is that they love the actors, and the talented performances given. I urge you to continue giving these girls an opportunity to engage in yearly productions , regardless of whether they are all high budget, because the sense of belonging and opportunity for growth inherent to such a program is too great a treasure to let go of, even if only every second year. Thank you, Davide Verrelli

Many girls come to St. Mary’s in grade 7 with the attention of participating in the play every year. Six plays for a super sixer. A change now is unfair to any students who came to St.Mary’s because of the drama production and should allow anyone to pull registration for next year without being penalized (ie. they should get their registration fee back). Also, if you are going to go to bi-annual plays then you need to bring Drama back for Grade 8 as there only drama exposure was the school production. I am disappointed by how this is rolling out, the Grade 11 students weren’t given the same last hurrah that they were looking forward to next year so it should at least be tabled for another year.

I've never participated in the play. However, I have seen how important it is to many of my friends.

The Plays at SMA are highlights of the year, not just that year but years after. I have made so many lifelong friendships just because I auditioned for the play. People who are going through a hard time and are in the play find love, joy in what there doing, and lastly a Family so by cutting it to every second year that is really terrible for people who just love going up on stage and doing what they love. And now I won’t get to have a performance my graduating year so let’s bring back the play SMA!!!!!!! -Daria G

The performances at SMA are a staple of the school; so many of it's students are encouraged to go on to film and other Arts programs as a result. To be honest, the STEM programs at SMA are lacking considering it-- from what I remember-- only has 2 AP programs and have no computer science class whatsoever; what's the point of crippling the schools strong arts program if there are already problems with it's other fields? It only makes sense that programs like this continue to be supported yearly in schools considering the recent shift in society to the "creative class" that promotes arts based jobs. Furthermore, sports always felt like the focus of SMA, but really, the play is able to bring together all ages and all groups regardless of what they are able to contribute-- be it acting, creating props, directing the play, creating costumes, working the sound board, and supporting eachother in a collective action. To remove the frequency of the program shows just how little the school cares about it's students-- if they see the play only as a means of drawing in funds due to ticket sales and plan on cutting it maybe because it doesn't generate revenue that is exactly the wrong sentiment. School plays in general are integral to schools because they develop the students ability to work together.

The plays were my fave part of being an SMA student

I always wished there were 2 plays/year back when I was a drama student at SMA! Way to hold high the torch, ladies!

6 years ago Featured

My daughter was in the play this year and last year. It has been a defining experience for her in her first two years at SMA. I will happily give time and money to support the play happening on an annual basis.