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4 New Photos St. Maarten Academy Celebrated Culture and History

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4 New Photos St. Maarten Academy Celebrated Culture and History

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St. Maarten Academy Celebrates Culture and HistoryOn Saturday, November 12, 2022, the Drama Club of the St. Maarten Academy, held its variety concert “#culturalexplosion22”, https://www.stmaarten.news

a celebration of St. Maarten’s culture which marked the culmination of the school’s 2022 St. Maarten’s Day celebrations. https://www.stmaartennews.org

The production was directed by the school’s Expressive Arts’ department head, Drama, Visual Arts and Performing Arts teacher.

Mrs. Collette Jones-Chin. Jones-Chin is also an acclaimed author, poet, dramatist, director, actress, visual artist, arts educator and therapist, with a hefty repertoire of critically-acclaimed productions under her belt. https://www.angeliqueromou.wordpress.com

This includes 2016’s The Lion King Live in Theatre and 2019’s “Ti-Jean and his Brothers” under the production company SENOJ CREATIONS with the Theatre Arts Community Group STAGES Anguilla. Several of the pieces were also written by Jones-ChinThe show opened with the effervescent drumming of TASK FORCE, a local culture drum band, which set the tone for the evening. https://www.sxmpolice.wordpress.com

Opening prayer was offered by Vice-principal Joanna Trim, followed by an acapella rendition of The St. Maarten Song by Sixth formers Michealanne Benjamin- Frederick, Miguel York, Sherenn Leblanc and Ty Farquharson. https://www.sxmpolice.wordpress.com

In her welcome remarks, head of the department of culture, Ms. Clara Reyes offered the rapt audience her words of inspiration and offered St. Maarten’s culture and history of its people. The show featured not only its talented students but also that of its teachers alike. https://www.sxmpolice.wordpress.com

Ms. Rochelle Ward (Faizah Tabasamu), English teacher, poet and author of the 2021 poetry collection recited one of her original pieces and Ranish Sullivan put her acting skills on full display with her dramatic monologue Mad Man Routine.

There were several memorable performances by members of the school’s drama club, which is 104 strong and comprises first to sixth formers. However, the only 38 of the club’s members worked on the production.

Apart from the singing, dancing and acting, the talented teenagers also took to the catwalk. Throughout the evening they modeled three eras of fashion: traditional cultural wear, modern and futuristic fashion, with the latter featuring clothing made from repurposed plastic bags.

Jones-Chin, who is also a costume designer, created all the pieces modeled on the night. Following a brief intermission, during which TASK FORCE delivered another high-energy drumming performance, the show resumed with the ensemble choral performance of Tamara Groeneveldt’s I know St. Martin’s Culture.

Standout vocal performances were delivered by sixth former Michealanne Benjamin-Frederick, with her soaring delivery of Etta James’ At Last, and Nina Simone’s I’m Feeling Good, a duet with Yohan James.

A chilling rendition of Cynthia Erivo’s Stand Up performed by members of the drama club served as a poignant score to the synchronized choreographed rowing towards the hard-fought freedom of our ancestors.The show culminated with an energetic choreographed routing to King Vers and Magic’s ode to the island, I Love St. Maarten.Students’ art pieces were also prominently displayed along the school’s main hallway, which served as a gallery for the night.

Mrs. Collette Jones-Chin said that the production was not only a celebration of St. Maarten’s Day but also freedom and emancipation in general. All proceeds go to the further development of the drama club and future productions. Organisers thank the Dutch Consulate which served as the major sponsor for the show, Mr. Shujah Reiph and SOS radio, Ms. Clara Reyes, Head of Culture, staff, students and parents for their support.The next production is slated for February for Black History Month.~END~

4 New Photos St. Maarten Academy Celebrated Culture and History

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