UAE 51st National Day

Aaira Mehta

At NLCS Dubai, we are encouraged to participate in experiences beyond our everyday lessons and through the Grade 6 and 7 production, Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations our cast and crew have been able to demonstrate the importance of performing arts in our school environment. Directed by Mr. Clench, students from Grades 6 and 7 spent about 4 months putting this extraordinary play together.

Lunchtime rehearsals began quickly and efficiently. The entire cast was committed and dedicated, and all the actors continued to work step by step to construct a piece of theatre with everyone collaborating ideas and working towards creating a playful and colorful performance. Everyone played their part on and off the stage, to make this production a memorable experience for those involved and those that watched.

During this process, we began to recognize the spectrum of aspects it took to put together a performance and so we needed many of us to take up different parts of the piece. Many, if not all, of us may have had some acting experience in the past, however, few so professionally. For many of us, we weren’t accustomed to playing multiple different roles, engaging in multiple aspects of the piece and changing character so quickly.

Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations portrayed the theme of ‘mental health’ in a comedic way, the play was able to become a part of all of us, whether in the cast, crew or audience itself. So, to have finally achieved this from an empty black box room to a lit-up PAC feels extremely rewarding for all of us. We have made friends and memories forever.

As a cast, crew and entire company we would like to extend our grattitude to Mr. Clench, without who’s unconditional effort and lasting enthusiasm, this play would not have been the piece of theatre we were able to put forward across the two nights. Along with many thanks to the entire team of technicians, stage management, backstage crew who were immensely supported by Mr. Sonny.

This experience has allowed us all to try ourselves out, and “own the show” as Mr Clench would say. Overall, this experience has shaped a lot of us as individuals and actors who were able to value the process and enjoy the final moment as team.

Try yourselves out next year and get involved. Be a part of an ensemble, a team and be involved in an upcoming NLCS production.