Dramatic productions have been a part of an ideal Jesuit education for over 450 years. Long before athletics were introduced, drama and theatre have been representations of what it means to be a student of a Jesuit school. As an actor who has been involved in drama at St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg, I have seen many aspects of myself grow and thrive due to this phenomenal program.
At St. Paul’s High School, like other Jesuit schools, the concept of the “Grad at Grad” is highly emphasized throughout our years at the school. The aspects associated with this ideology are to be open to growth, intellectually competent, loving, religious, and committed to doing justice. I can personally relate 3 of these characteristics to drama at St. Paul’s.
To be open to growth, one must be willing to accept changes and expand their “comfort zone”. In drama, an actor/actress must be willing to accept a role they may be uncertain with at the start. In my most recent (and last) play of Shakespeare in Ruins, I was called upon to act as a woman (Queen Gertrude) in Shakespeare’s classic of Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, which we performed in 15 minutes. I was originally uncertain how I would be portrayed as a woman, as I am 5’11” tall, well built, and have a deep voice. However, the directors were more than willing to help, and my love for drama helped find my “inner woman”, and channel it into the role.
Another concept of the “Grad at Grad” that can relate to drama is to be loving. Drama is an activity which requires over 100 people: from directors/producers, to actors/actresses, to stage crew, to costume/makeup design. It is practically guaranteed that a sense of friendship will develop amongst these people. These friendships are used to support others, and help each other to become overall better people.
The idea of being religious in drama is among the most obscure, but in the Jesuit tradition, being religious is the most practical. To be religious in drama, especially at St. Paul’s, goes beyond a Mass dedicated to the cause the week before, or having a prayer before every performance every night.
Everyone in drama realizes that drama productions are not there to provide entertainment for ourselves, but for our audiences, our community, and as ultimately described in the Jesuit motto, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, for the Greater Glory of God. Those involved in drama recognize they are putting on a show for their audience, but we also realize that we are using our talents given to us by God to make new memories.
Overall, I believe drama at St. Paul’s High School has formed me into a better person. When I graduate in June, I will be sad to leave this great program, but am proud at the same time that this long-standing tradition within the Jesuit tradition will continue to live on.