Visual Arts and Drama

Welcome to the Visual Arts Department!  We have worked hard at developing a well-rounded, comprehensive program that caters to a variety of needs and that assists students in acquiring the skills necessary to move forwards towards Postsecondary education or Arts related careers.   As well as the Visual Arts and Design programs, we have courses in Media, Photography and Film studies that allow the students to work with both traditional and new emerging technologies.  

To help foster a sense of discipline, creative exploration and respect for the practice of Art, our dynamic and fun teaching staff bring considerable strengths to the learning environment.  In an era of increased visual dependency we focus on the critical reading and deconstruction of visuals (Visual Literacy) while instilling the importance of art practices grounded in historical and socially relevant perspectives.  Our school trips have taken us to Japan, Spain, Peru, Morocco, New York, Rome, Paris, London and Athens in previous years.   We hope to continue to inspire our staff and students as we move forward in creating more multi-cultural curriculum and practices. 

We continue to bring in new guest speakers from the professional world and operate our Open Studio program on Thursday nights between 3 and 5 p.m.   At the end of the second semester we will celebrate, with the Drama department, our fourth annual Arts Night award ceremonies - which is a chance to honour our students both past and present.​

Teachers:

Mr. A. McClure

Mr. D. Corrieri

Ms. B. Veale

Courses:

Please note: Not all course will be available every year at The Dr. G. W. Williams S.S.  Course offerings and availability may vary based on student interest, staffing and funding.

Drama at Dr. G. W. Williams S.S. 

Welcome to the Drama Department! The Williams Drama Department offers an engaging Drama course at every grade level focusing on collaborative skills such as teamwork, creativity, communication, and presentation. The ability to express one’s self in a variety of situations is an integral part of both the school and work environment. Creative thinking skills are often high on the wish list of employers, and working with a variety of people in a variety of situations prepares students for leadership roles and develops skills that can be linked to a wide range of careers. 

Drama students have the opportunity to take on roles and to create and enter into imagined worlds. Students extend their understanding and interpretation of dramatic texts, forms, characters, and theatrical productions as they experience being a performer, an audience member, designer, director, and critic. Through informal presentations and more formal performances students use drama to communicate their aesthetic and personal values, while also developing and expressing empathy for people in a wide range of situations. 

Drama classes offer students the ability to explore, discuss, and assess aspects of life and the world around them through active, hands on experiences. By communicating in both their real and imagined worlds, students acquire proficiency in listening, speaking, questioning, and problem solving. The arts are an important part of our society and culture and the Drama department encourages students to continue to learn about, participate in, and explore the arts around them. 

In addition to the grade 9-12 curriculum, a school play is offered as an extra-curricular experience. The school plays in the past have ranged from comedies, to tragedies, and from musicals to Shakespeare. Students do not need to be enrolled in a drama class in order to audition for the school play. 

The Drama productions involve all corners of the school in various roles such as actors, stage managers, technicians, set builders, props and costume designers, and an advertising team. We encourage you to explore the Dramatic Arts whether it is through taking courses or through the extra-curricular activities offered. All are welcome!

Courses: