This Weekend, Catch CISB's Production of 'High School Musical'

Bullying, gossiping and peer pressure shouldn't ruin a student's high school experience. Luckily, Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) Teacher Patrick Connolly has seen these issues disappear during extracurricular practices, matches, rehearsals and recitals. Now, the Grade 7 English teacher and drama club director is not only helping students make friends, but also perform their experiences onstage.

This weekend, on April 24 (7pm) and 25 (2pm, 7pm), the CISB drama club will stage its own production of the popular Disney musical High School Musical. Connolly and his co-directors – middle and high theater arts teacher Angela Knowles and Grade 9 math and science teacher Jessica MacKenzie – believed the play had a special message.

“The story is about students from different backgrounds and different social ‘cliques’ coming together and finding strength in working toward a common goal,” said Connolly. He added that this unifying theme is especially relevant for drama club participants at an international school, who come from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

“Our cast is made up of a huge range of individuals from Grade 6 to 11, all with unique interests and skills that they are bringing to our stage," he continued.

Read more about CISB's production of High School Musical over on our sister publication beijingkids' website.

Photo courtesy of CISB