MASTER IN CHARGE:
Gabriella Sutherland (2017)
Ms Bronwyn Kemp (MIC from Term 3)
(bkemp@jeppeboys.co.za)
Jeppe’s Dramatic Arts Society is an intricate part of Jeppe High School for Boys. After Jeppe’s popular production of Robin Hood, the dramatic arts extramural saw new potential actors flock to be a part of another great play. Since then the dramatic society has continued to produce quality actors and entertaining and captivating plays that are a joy to watch for people that are drama experts and students alike.
The Dramatic Arts Society is committed to producing mature, highly skilled, independent and creative theatre practitioners that are capable of creating, encouraging and managing their own work while helping their fellow actors to mature alongside them. The close-knit, nurturing, and supportive environment found within the society between the boys and staff is central to our success in achieving this goal.
The Dramatic Arts Society has grown exponentially over the past 5 years and has achieved much throughout the years including the previously mentioned favourite Robin Hood and The Nightmare Before Christmas and last year at the GRADS finals our Jeppe boys walked away with no less than seven nominations and three trophies including the awards for overall best actor and best original script. Our boys maintained their achievements at the festivals they attended this year and were nominated and awarded for overall best actor, best supporting actor and best original script in GRADS, FEDA and EADS. We look forward to participating in these festivals in future.
The society is currently working on the 2017 Major Production titled: “Clue”. After nearly five months of rehearsal, there are less than two weeks to go before the Jeppe community is drawn into the intriguing murder mystery that is “Clue”. It is directed by Ms Sutherland who is being assisted by Mrs Bronwen Kemp and will run for two nights only on August 17th and 18th.Tickets are available at the finance office at the school, or at the door in the night.
As the society continues to produce excellent actors and productions that help to grow the Jeppe Dramatic Arts society’s reputation it will always encourage new inexperienced actors and previous experienced actors with open arms.
RESULTS
| GAUTENG REGIONAL AMATEUR DRAMATICS SOCIETY (GRADS) | ||
| 1ST ROUND HOSTED BY TRINITY HOUSE | ||
| Saturday 06 May 2017 | ||
| Award | School | Name of Play/Actor |
| Best Play – 1st Place | Greenside High School | Every year, every day, I am walking |
| Best Play – 2nd Place | Sutherland High School | Freak |
| Best Play – 3rd Place | Trinity House | School Lockdown |
| Best Play – 4th Place | Jeppe High School for Boys | Jump |
| Best Play – 5th Place | Benoni High School | The waiting room |
| Best Actor | Jeppe High School for Boys | David Newton |
| Best Original Script | Jeppe High School for Boys | Ryan Naamdhew |
The Jeppe drama society have been participating in the Gauteng Regional Amateur Dramatics Society (GRADS) festival which started on the 4th May 2017. Each week 12 schools participate at a school, performing original or set plays.
The first leg was held at Trinity House. Jeppe performed an original piece written By Ryan Naamdhew (grade 12) which was nominated for best script and best director. David Newton was nominated for best actor and Rogerio Domingues for Best supporting actor.
At the end of the leg, winners are announced. David Newton won best actor and Ryan Naamdhew won best original script.
Leg two was held at Edenvale high school. The support received by Jeppe boys was incredible and the appearance of Mr Dale Jackson on the night was a humbling surprise for us.
Ryan Naamdhew got a standing ovation for his script as well as a nomination and David Newton was nominated for best actor. Rogerio Domingues received a merit for best supporting actor. At the awards at the end of the leg Ryan Naamdhew again won with the award for best original script.
The Festival of Excellence in Dramatic Arts (FEDA) is the most prestigious school festival in SA and takes place at Joburg theatre.
Jeppe was the first Government school to take part in this festival and what a thrilling experience it was. Our AV crew were blown away by the high tech equipment available and the actors refused to get off the perfect stage.
The change rooms took everyone’s breath away. Professionals in the industry did workshops with the boys so that when it was their performance time- they shone.
The adjudication was extremely positive and complimentary and we are waiting for the results.
The third leg of the GRADS series takes place at Waterstone College on Tuesday.