Creative Players Program flourishes at GREC

Julie Druker | Feb 10, 2016

Shari Tallon knows well the many benefits that youngsters experience when given the opportunity to express themselves creatively in a safe and nurturing environment. Tallon, who is a musician and music teacher, was a former children's entertainer and educational assistant at Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake. With that in mind, she began a special after-school program there this year, which invites students to engage in the dramatic arts.

The program is funded by a grant from Marcel Giroux of W.A. Robinson Asset Management and the Sharbot Lake Pharmacy, and is now in its second installment. It focuses on dynamic, improvisational dramatic play rather than a structured dramatic process. The students are given an opportunity to explore their own creativity while interacting with others, and to express their inner personae without fear of being judged. The experience allows the students to share their ideas, to take risks and develop friendships; to improve their social skills and academics while gaining the acceptance of their peers.

The program encourages the participants to find their own voice through exploring the dramatic arts, media technology, sound effects, and music in a truly spontaneous and collaborative environment. Tallon is a firm believer in the benefits of free-form creative play, something she says is becoming rare in our increasingly structured world, where youngsters are not often enough given the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild. “When you think about school and after-school programs these days, there are not a lot of unstructured programs. This program is open-ended and kids can initiate expressive communication and play in a safe, open, and caring environment. When you offer kids creativity, it is not only fun for them, but through role playing and playing off of others, the students learn problem-solving and social skills. This helps build an inner strength that they can take with them out into the world.”

Similarly, Tallon stressed the positive mental health benefits of this kind of program. “I believe this program is great for kids' mental health because students can express themselves outwardly in a positive way instead of keeping their thoughts inside.” She has witnessed some students who, since joining the program, have slowly come out of their shells. “I have seen some students who, in the beginning, have perhaps concentrated mainly on doing sound effects but as we continued on, have begun to act out roles totally from their own volition. The key here is that students feel they have a safe place to be themselves.”

At each class, the students begin by agreeing on a scenario, which often revolves around a theme like comedy, murder mystery, or fantasy; however, each is given the opportunity to respond and add their own ideas into the mix.

The program also encourages the participants to organize themselves since they have to remember cues, record sound effects, play musical accompaniment and/or film videos of their creations. Currently, the students have been filming their scenarios, which has opened up a whole new world to them. There are plans to start a YouTube channel where the students will share the work they've been doing.

Two assistants in the program, Michelle McCumber and Tabitha Freeman, are also planning to put together a newsletter to keep fans updated on the program's progress.

Some parents of the students said they have seen their children gain confidence since joining the program and, not surprisingly, the students themselves also had good things to say. Will, who is in Grade 7, said he has lots of fun and often plans and writes his ideas at home before coming to school. Draven said that the program “is a once in a lifetime opportunity” and something that he really loves to do. Grade 9 student Aurora said that she loves being able to explore different styles of acting and play multiple characters. “Playing different roles really teaches you empathy, since you have to really think about and try to feel what it would be like to be that person.”

Tallon said she hopes members of the community will also get involved with the program and is hoping to encourage a few volunteers to offer their time. She is also in need of donations, which could include healthy snacks and/or costumes, wigs and props. Anyone who may have something to offer can contact Shari at 613-876-0293.