Date: 2005/08/01 Mon PM 12:06:56 EDT
Subject: RE: Please read: Mz. Ed/Michele Edwards


Dear Michele,

It took me a while to climb through all my emails and see what this was about, but I hope it's not too late to respond now.

My experience in your drama program at Coral Springs High, and the experiences of the other students around me, were absolutely seminal to my educational experience.  Drama kids always came to school -- even when we were sick! -- because we knew we absolutely had to make that afternoon rehearsal.  We learned teamwork from working closely together, be it on a scene or to get a full set up and struck in record time for state
competition.  We learned about commitment to excellence in our shows and in our district and state competitions.  And we gained confidence in ourselves by being able to stand in front of a group of peers to do a monologue or scene.

I was a pretty committed student, but in drama I met so many kids who weren't the "academic" types but who were passionately engaged in school because of you and your drama program.  Remember someone we'll call Carrie -- arrested on drug charges, family problems, so likely to turn into a dropout -- but a fabulous director, and because of you and the drama program absolutely committed to school.  She's a professional photographer now -- something that would not have been possible without drama.  Or Patty--equally unmotivated academically, but a great actress and a professional now.  These students and others like them would never have become productive members of society without Ms. Ed and Coral Springs High School drama.

There are also the stories of the big successes -- like the schoolmate who wrote for a successful television show and joined with other CSHS drama alums to establish a major theatre in Miami.  Their experiences in CSHS drama were critical for their future, too.  But I have to say, it's the story of the Carrie's and Patty's that mean the most to me.

Drama is a light to students for whom sports or classic academics aren't it. We need drama and drama teachers in Florida high schools to make sure the next Carrie's and Patty's see the way.

Rebecca
(Rebecca Tillet, Director/Team Leader, US Pharmceuticals Public Relations
Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, NY )

July 26, 2005 10:26 AM
Subject: Drama Experience

Hello there:
 
I am a former student of Michelle Edwards from Coral Springs High School class of 82'
 
My name is Kimberly Stribing formerly Whelan.  My sister Carol and my two brother Jimmy and Glenn and I lived for Drama in High School. 
 
Personally, I have Dyslexia and I was not very good in school, I struggled to keep a C in class.  In fact I never wanted to attend school, until I discovered Drama Club and Chorus.
 
Drama Club helped me in so many areas of my life.  It took away the fear of public speaking, in fact I am now Vice District Governor of the Lions Club In New York State.  I have been the guest speaker at a Lions International Convention in San Diego and in Hawaii. 
 
Drama also brought out my creativity and made me a leader, taking away peer pressure.  I created a Leadership Institute in New York State and Bermuda, where I  bring people that have been elected to high office or better jobs and teach them to use their talents, TEAM Build and make better Leaders out of them.  It has been a huge success for the past 5 years and has taken a life of its own, all because if Drama Club.
 
Both Drama & Chorus taught me discipline.  Memorizing Lines, Standing properly, breathing correctly, using inflection, proper pronunciation, attending all rehearsals and performances and being on time have lead me to carry on these important qualities in my adult life.
 
Drama and Chorus have also lead me to become a volunteer, helping others.  It takes great dedication to be involved in a drama club and chorus.  When others are at the beach, playing with their friends and today sitting in front of a computer chatting with their buddies, performers are rehearing over and over, perfecting their crafts.  I have brought this gift to volunteering for the Lions Club and Camp Good Days , and starting 10 LEO Clubs in western New York for youth community service. 
 
Drama Club and Chorus not only build your confidence they also teach you technology, and history.  One of the greatest experiences of Drama club was when I wasn't cast in a show, I was put on a crew.  Make-up, costume, lighting, set building, ushering and directing.  All of this was part of the performances.  Everyone was important and the show could not go on without each peice to the puzzle.  Learning how the lighting and microphones worked and where they should be placed and how to use candied glass that would break at the correct time was a terrific learning experience in technology.  When playing the different parts you had to learn the history of the character, how they sressed, how they spoke.  The time period the story line took place, and the set had to reflect how a home looked in that era, what type of phone they used, what type of furniture they had, what clothes they wore.  Each of these taught us history and made the show more authentic.  I really believe that drama was the best history teacher I had all through my schooling.
 
Drama club adn Chorus provided Friendships that will last forever.  The bond you develop is everlasting.  We had a 20 year reunion a few years ago and it was as if we had never been apart.  We love eachother and will always cherish our high school years because of drama and chorus.  To this day I speak daily to friends in California, New York, Virginia, Michigan, Wyoming, North Carolina and Florida.  My best friends are across our United States.  All because of Coral Springs HIgh School Drama and Chorus.
 
In closing, let me say, I have 5 teenagers.  Each of them very talented.  They all sing in the choir and play instruments and participate in the school musicals.   However, there is something they are missing that I was blessed to have.  There is no drama club, there is a show but no club.  Without the club, and only one performance a year, the students do not gain the wonderful adn challenging expereinces that we had. 
 
If there is anything that I could do to bring back this experience for my children and the children of our future, I would.  Our children need Drama Clubs, Choruses, Marching Bands, Art Clubs as much as if not more than we need sports.
 
Please feel free to contact me anytime if I can be of any further assistance.
 
 
Peace always,
 
 
Kimberly Stribing

July 18, 2005 6:48 PM
Subject: FATE

Michele Edwards forwarded your plea to me. I hope my statement below helps:
 
Among the many life-enhancing benefits I received from studying drama in high school, I would have to point to my ability to speak clearly, confidently and - some might say - entertainingly that has given me a tremendous advantage in my business life. Sadly lacking in  many people in business today is the ability to stand in front of a crowd of colleagues or strangers and to effectively connect with them. A poor presenter communicates little. My high school theater training taught me the basic skills of articulation, projection, dramatic emphasis and pacing. It also gave me confidence in my own ability to hold an audience's attention and to effectively transfer my ideas into the heads of those to whom I am speaking. It is these talents, developed through disciplined theatrical training in high school, that enabled me to build a dependable reputation for myself and allowed me to advance in my career. But aside from these very tangible examples of how my high school theatrical experiences have impacted my work life, there are myriad other ways my life has been influenced by that exposure, including a lifelong love of the theater and the arts, a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded individuals, and deep and meaningful friendships that have endured all these <gulp> 23 years since graduation.

Steve Cambron
Marketing Director
TIME