From page to stage
FIFTH FORMERS STAGE A MUSICAL BASED ON THE NOVEL, ‘SING TO THE DAWN’
GETTINGstudents to read assigned literary works to ensure meaningful lessons is one of the challenges in teaching literature.
An inspiration struck English teacher Aishah Mohamed Hamdan to solve this problem. She decided to get students to turn an assigned novel into a fun musical production.
This is how SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh Form Five students came about to stage a captivating theatre performance titled Sing to
the Dawn: The Musical. Held at the auditorium of its collaborator, the National Department of Arts and Culture, Perak last month, this show was restaged on April 12 and 13.
The musical, with the cast of 11 students, is based on Mingfong Ho’s novel, Sing to the
Dawn, a required text for Fifth Formers in Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Penang.
With the aim to encourage students to develop an interest in and form opinions on literary works, the project was set in motion.
“I chose four students to write the script for the play based on language proficiency and writing ability. They had to read the novel before they even stepped into Form Five,” said Aishah who made the Top 30 list for 21st Century Learning Teachers Campaign 2019.
Aishah, who has been teaching English for 14 years, added that the students took the initiative to read the novel and picture the props.
“Having to work on the musical, they looked at reading the novel in a different perspective. They even argued with me on the accuracy of some plot depiction compared to the script, something that’s encouraged in a literature classroom when analysing literary texts.”
The play tells the story of Dawan, a young village girl who wins a scholarship to study in the city. However, her unsupportive father believes that girls belong at home and wants the scholarship to be handed over to Kwai, Dawan’s brother. Dawan later faces many
complications and overcomes them, proving t h a t s h e deserves the scholarship and the responsibilities that follow.
“Despite a singing background with the school orchestra, I don’t have acting experience so I was hesitant in taking on the role of Dawan at first,” said Nur Asilah Yasmin Yusof, a Form Five student.
“I don’t share any similarities with Dawan’s character as she starts out timid and innocent while I’m confident and outgoing. So, getting into character was not an easy feat for me. But after reading the novel a few times and with the help of my teacher and friends, I managed to do it.
“I’m happy that I took up this challenge as it has helped me to understand the novel better and I can now cite lines from the book easily.”
The students managed the production themselves alongside their teachers with no external help. They worked hands-on and received monetary contributions from the Parent-Teacher Association.
As part of the preparation, the director and three cast members watched Ola Bola the
Musical to gain insight from the professionals. They also talked to one of the script writers and edited their script based on the learning experience.
“We hired a band from UPSI to play selected songs for the performance. The music director is one of our former students,” said Aishah. “The songs which we chose included popular hits such as Michael Jackson’s Beat It, High School Musical’s Together, Disney’s How Far I’ll Go and
The Greatest Showman’s The Other Side.” The production was divided into four teams, namely the actors, dancers, property (props) and make-up. The props team made the chicken coop, bridge and backdrop, among others, with the assistance of geography teacher Hishamuddin Che Omar.
“I never expected that our theatre performance would attract many people as we are just average students and theatre amateurs,” admitted cast member Marina Manja Mohd Mujar who played Bao, a friend Dawan meets at the market.
“I’m very shy but when I saw the huge crowd at our first show, it lifted my spirits and made me more confident. The response from the audience was amazing.”
Another student, Nurfasya Ardilla Murad, who played the grandmother, said that the experience left her with happy memories.
“The five months of practices were fruitful. I gained a lot of knowledge and skills that can be useful for my future.
“In terms of preparation, I did a lot of vocal practice to sound like an elderly woman. The make-up team was responsible for changing my appearance for the character,” added Nurfasya Ardilla.
Muhammad Aizat Md Zainal, who played Dawan’s fierce father, said: “This musical turned me into a braver person and gave me the opportunity to act. I hope that our project can reach a higher platform to open the eyes of other students so that they can do great things without hesitation.”
Aishah added: “I hope that when other students read the novel, they can picture my students dancing and relive the music.”
The musical received positive feedback from the audience, including on social media. “A teacher from SMK Simpang Pulai commented on our Instagram page that one of her students watched the first show. She was overwhelmed, excited and so happy that she (could) understand the novel better.”
This theatre project is part of the Highly Immersive Programme introduced in select schools in 2016, in line with the national Upholding the Malay Language and Strengthening the English Language policy.
Starting last year, it is carried out in all schools under the Education Ministry.