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Feeling
embarrassed. Shoved into a classroom of 'dummies',
'no-hopers', those who were never going to get
anywhere. Well that's how it seemed at the time.
The result, she gave up, trying no longer even an option. And
the opposite scenario - high achiever, a straight A student. But
fearful of not maintaining the standard, terrified it being
'discovered' that in fact she was not perfect at all.
Best
friends, with these differing experiences, we have now come together on
a professional level to form I
Can Dance Theatre. Years and
years of intimate talking, as best friends do, yet those old fears and
feelings of shame were never voiced. Until in the process of
writing the play, they came out. Helping to shape a story
that encompasses issues of acceptance, confidence, bullying, and
diversity; a show that is having an impact from all kinds of
backgrounds.
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"Student
benefitted
immensely
from participating in and contributing to the performance.
Well done".
-
Sacred
Heart College Oakleigh
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" A spectacular event! It
gives a
secret message of hope - never to give up even if things don't seem the
way you had hoped for. Some Year 7s were chosen to perform
with the dancers. This was a laughable moment and everyone
enjoyed it all."
- Student
St. James College
Bentleigh East
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So what is it
we've
tapped into? Something universal it seems. What isolates many
of us is the belief 'it's only me'. This can change when we
realize we all have inherent weaknesses, we all feel insecure at
times. During the performance, when the audience gets to
observe and identify with the dejected character on stage, and what's
more has an opportunity to give her advice, isolation dissipates.
Flaws
in thinking often result in feelings of inadequacy. In our
experience as students at school, we had a limited definition of
intelligence. To us, it was simple - you either had it or you
didn't. In the play we explore further to come to the understanding
that we each learn differently - have different strengths do things in
different ways, develop at different rates.
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When the character
in
the play is able to internalize these
concepts, she
blossoms. Of course, it doesn't happen easily. She
struggles with feelings of not being good enough, hindered by the
critical voice of bullying peer Gablet, and her own constant
comparing. Inspired by the exhilarating dancing, she despairs
of ever being able to do it herself. The turning point comes
when she finally musters the
courage to change her outlook and attempt the
'unattemptable'.
As she is told later, ' you had it there all along, it's just the way
you think about yourself.'
Indeed
it is. And look where the journey has taken us. A
dance theatre company entertaining and illuminating thousands of
students throughout Victoria. Here's living proof.
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" Very
innovative, creative, fast moving and engaging ...the audience was
totally suspended....the boys (at Ivanhoe Grammar) were thoroughly
enjoying themselves and responded extremely well....I believe this is
exactly what schools and students need."
Judy Matthews
Catholic Education Dept.
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