01907_Summer_2019 WEB
24 | 01907 Taking center stage BY STEVE KRAUSE James Pearse freely admits the obvious when discussing education and the arts in Swampscott and everywhere else. "Most of us are not going to grow up making a living on the stage," he says. "But there are so many other take-aways, so that really doesn't matter." Pearse is in his 23rd year in Swampscott, and one of his signature activities is the summer workshop at the high school. It is a six-week class that begins July 2 and meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. James Pearse is the drama/arts director at Swampscott High. PHOTOS: SPENSER HASAK
SUMMER 2019 | 25 It ends with a production, between 45 minutes and an hour, that'll be put on at the high school auditorium. This year, it'll be an adaptation of "Seussical," the musical based on material by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as "Dr. Seuss." Pearse is the high school's director of fine arts, choral director, drama advisor and music teacher. He believes the summer workshop goes beyond teaching kids from grades 3 through 9 the ins and outs of theater. "It's a way for kids to learn everyday skills," he says. "In school, especially as you go along, you need presentation skills. I think our kids who have gone through our program have an advantage in these situations. "Also," Pearse said, "you see some kids develop a sense of confidence, and of being self-assured." The workshop, which Pearse conducts with the help of Kathryn Thomas, head of the Swampscott English Department, focuses on singing, acting and dancing. Most of the children who take part are Swampscott residents. Members of the current high school drama club also help coach the kids. "The thing that's really nice about this is we catch kids who are young and in a lot of cases they stay with us all the way through," he said. "It's a great way to get them started." The result is that "I think we are recognized in town for having a good program," Pearse said. "I think for the size of the school, we have an amazing program. This is largely thanks to the students themselves. They've been amazing. The teachers too. They are fantastic." Pearse picks his shows based on what they're about, and how much fun they will be for the performers. And he feels he can't go wrong with "Seussical," and Dr. Seuss. "It offers different things for people to do," he said, "and it gets everyone involved. We have kids who are just happy to be on stage doing something. For a lot of kids, maybe this is the first show they've ever been in. So they're happy just to be up there." "Seussical" is built around "Horton Hears a Who," one of Seuss's many children's stories. However, it incorporates themes from several others, including "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham." The workshop began 19 years ago MARION STREET AUTOBODY 44 Marion St., Lynn, MA 01905 Owner: Mark A. King 781-592-7001 | marionstreetautobody@gmail.com Providing quality workmanship from the same location for 30 years The Weight Loss Center of the North Shore offers a comprehensive, physician-managed, one-on-one approach to weight loss that is individualized to each client. 123 Pleasant Street, Suite 105 Marblehead, MA 01945 781-797-0935 www.WeightLossCenterNS.com
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24 | <strong>01907</strong><br />
Taking<br />
center<br />
stage<br />
BY STEVE KRAUSE<br />
James Pearse freely admits the<br />
obvious when discussing education and<br />
the arts in Swampscott and everywhere<br />
else.<br />
"Most of us are not going to grow up<br />
making a living on the stage," he says.<br />
"But there are so many other take-aways,<br />
so that really doesn't matter."<br />
Pearse is in his 23rd year in Swampscott,<br />
and one of his signature activities is the<br />
summer workshop at the high school. It is a<br />
six-week class that begins July 2 and meets<br />
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10<br />
a.m. to 1 p.m.<br />
James Pearse is the drama/arts director at Swampscott High.<br />
PHOTOS: SPENSER HASAK
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