Rotary club helps keep drama club alive
FERGUS – The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora presented a cheque for $850 to the Centre Wellington Children’s Drama Club at their weekly meeting at Melville Church in Fergus on Oct. 19.
“We are proud to support the youth in Centre Wellington during these challenging times,” stated Robert Galloway, president of the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora. “The Rotary Club is committed to serving our community, and we are pleased to assist our local Children’s Drama Club.”
The Centre Wellington Children’s Drama Club began in the mid 1970’s and has functioned as a grassroots parent-run cooperative.
Parent involvement is vital to the operation of the program. Parents make up a volunteer board of directors and participate in all aspects of the theatre production.
The club had to pause in March of 2020, just weeks before putting on performances at the Fergus Grand Theatre. The club was not able to run at all for the following 2020-21 season.
“The pandemic has been very hard on everything, including volunteer youth organizations,” stated Jackie Fraser, producer. “Canceling our 2020 performances and the entire following season devastated our cash flow. We are so very grateful to our local Rotary Club for their support which has helped us re-launch our drama club.”
The Children’s Drama Club restarted activities this fall with 22 young actors working with the talented directors Gerard Gouthro and Shayne Monaghan. They are working towards productions in the Fergus Grand Theatre scheduled for April 9, 2022.
The purpose of the Centre Wellington Children’s Drama Club is to provide an opportunity for young people to enhance self-confidence, self esteem, and self-discipline; improve their oral communication and performance skills; and develop social skills and the ability to work in a group, while encouraging perseverance and commitment to a task.
