Paula and the Pirates

Times Reporter  

 

Each year Westmount Elementary Schools Grade 5 and 6 students put on a masterpiece as part of the drama program. This year’s play, called ‘Paula and the Pirates’, was once again written by Associate Principal Dana Graff, and was directed by teacher Aric Wutzke. 

The play follows the story of Paula, who is injured in a bike accident. She is feeling pretty sad about her prospects and feels she can’t do anything now that she has a crippled leg. Paula’s fairy godmother hears her complaints and sends her to a magical island filled with pirates, monkeys and owls to find her treasure, and her way. 

“I really like the message behind it, that we’re all worth something,” said Wutzke.

 “The message at the end of the play really speaks to our own value. It doesn’t matter what challenges we’re faced with, handicaps, disabilities, we’re all special.”

The drama program at Westmount, which is extracurricular, keeps growing. This year there were approximately 50 students as part of the cast and crew. 

“It’s great to see the fact that we’re getting so many more kids. Plus it seems we are getting a few more boys too which is good,” said Graff. 

The idea for Paula and the Pirates came from last year’s drama group. At the end of the year the cast and crew got together for lunch and thought up the general idea for the script.

“They are an amazing group of kids that have really put a lot of effort into it and are really excited about it and that energy is spilling on to the Grade 4’s who are really looking forward to next year,” said Wutzke.

“Dana is an amazing man and so talented artistically, I think since he’s been here he has either written or modified the scripts. Those are big shoes to fill.

“I’m loving it. For me it is working with the kids and working with them that is beyond academics. For a lot of these kids this is what they’re going to remember for years to come.”