St. Theresa’s School of Speech & Drama Presents Lumos ~ “Igniting Lives of Younglings”
“Where talent and commitment is at full blast, every day becomes magical” Dilushi Perera’s face lights up as she gave voice to her thoughts. “I recollect my enthralling experiences on stage and remember how I broke away and shed my fears and transformed myself to different characters. And the ecstatic feeling of seeing the audience watching in bated breath can never be forgotten. This is yet another moment of mine in being thankful to the way I was moulded into what I am at present. I can only pass the blessing on to my students and the younger generation,” She added, speaking of her upcoming concert, Lumos: Light it up!
Dilushi holds her ALAM with Honours and also a Diploma in English Language and Literature, DELL from Open University of Sri Lanka and presently is an undergraduate for BA in English Language Teaching. She is passionate in passing her knowledge and skills to her students, pushing them to unleash their empowered self.
“On the 1st of January 2017, it was at church that I decided that I want to let my children experience the true theatrical performance. I had the will and the courage to pursue my goal at that moment. The idea of doing a concert was looming large in my mind ever since my son became the youngest performer in the musical Peter Pan, staged in 2016, directed by Kevin Cruze.” Dilushi recollects.
Inspiration can root from anything, but holding on to it and persistently following it through is the task. For a lady who has been on stage and undergone all the script readings, hotseat sessions, promptings and props, studying lines and curtain calls, the task at hand was quite usual.
After much needed hard work and consistency, hundred plus students aged 3 to 26 will take on the Lionel Wendt Theatre on the 19th January. Dilushi wanted to highlight that; if not for the constant support from the parents and students of the School this event would have not been such a success! Some of Dilushi’s Past pupils will also be joining the crew in the fun. Poetry, drama, miming, prose, music, singing, dancing and drumming! Lumos has it all.
Lumos is the confluence of the best of talents. Ian Jayasinghe, the choir master at Gateway College, Negombo puts magic into music while Wasana Thalgahagoda’s choreography and the drumming of Dilip Kanakarathna from the well-known Nadro will keep your feet tapping.
For Dilushi, the thought behind the name Lumos is what comes in Latin as Lumen which means Light. It becomes much more than a suffix in Dilushi’s context when it rep-
“I have been studying under aunty Dilushi for over 8 years and this has been the best and toughest experience. It’s not only a chance to enhance our talents and showcase our skills but also an event to show the world the beauty of diversity through the coordination of children of all ages. I’m sure this event will be a massive success.” resents lighting up of many little worlds of youngsters.
She also adds a little Harry Potter magic into the concert, representing the ageless charm he holds.
Very often we see the restless minds of youngsters leading them the wrong path. But Lumos will shine the light on the positive. Be a part of Mystical Magic as Lumos lights up Lionel Wendt on the 19 January at 5.30pm.
Devuni Goonewardene