Our Town: The Power of Drama at Brookhurst
Atete Benzinge: A Champion Both on and off the Track
March 25, 2025Drama is an imaginative experience where the students are constantly creating. When students improvise and devise their own performances, they are using critical and creative thinking to do so. The ability to spontaneously improvise and really ‘be in the moment’ is an amazing skill to develop.
Students learn to resist the temptation to pre-plan what they will do when performing. One must surrender to the experience. Here at Brookhurst, our very own Ms. Bredah still remembers the moment she surrendered to theatre. As a student, she rushed home from her first drama lesson, eager to recreate everything she had learned. From that day on, performance became her passion—a passion she now shares with her students at Brookhurst International School.
On March 14, 2025, that passion came to life as Brookhurst’s high school students took the stage to perform Our Town, Thornton Wilder’s timeless play about the beauty of everyday life. But this was no ordinary school production—it was an opportunity to bring the wider school community together. Brookhurst’s students extended invitations to Rusinga Schools, Woodcreek School, Oshwal Academy, Nairobi Academy, Brookhurst Lavington, and Braeside Lavington, turning the performance into a celebration of theatre beyond just one school.
Adding to the immersive experience, the play featured a live band and choir, creating an emotional depth that resonated with the audience. The choir’s harmonies underscored the most poignant moments of the play, while the live band provided the musical backdrop that transported the audience to the early 1900s setting of Our Town. This collaboration between the drama,
music, and performing arts departments highlighted the school’s commitment to holistic artistic expression.
For Ms. Bredah, Our Town was more than just a production—it was a testament to the power of drama in shaping young minds. When asked why theatre matters, her students gave answers that reflected the very essence of the play:
“Drama lets you step into a different world.” – Year 8 student Much like the characters in Our Town, who reflect on the small moments that make up a lifetime, drama allows students to step outside themselves and explore different perspectives. It nurtures creativity, challenges perceptions, and encourages self-expression.
“It helps me understand people better.” – Year 10 student.
In portraying characters from another time, Brookhurst’s students and the incredible audience learned something universal—that every person carries a story. Whether playing Emily Webb, George Gibbs, or the Stage Manager, they came to see that theatre is more than performance; it’s an exercise in empathy.
“It gives you confidence to be yourself.” – Year 9 student
Public speaking is a common fear, but drama helps students find their voice.
Through months of rehearsals, Ms. Bredah watched as once-hesitant
performers grew bolder, trusting themselves and each other. Drama provides a safe space to take risks and develop confidence—both on and off the stage.
A Behind-the-Scenes Passion
While many students shone on stage, Our Town also opened doors behind the scenes. Other students had the opportunity to explore the technical side of theatre—handling sound, and stage management for the second time given they did the same in last year’s, Annie The Musical. The experience ignited a new passion, and now they aspire to pursue a career in technical theatre. The production not only showcased talent but also revealed new paths in the world of performance beyond acting.
Theatre Beyond the Stage
For Ms. Bredah, drama is more than just performing—it’s about collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Theatre teaches students to work as a team, solve problems in real time, and express ideas in ways that resonate with others. These skills extend beyond the drama room, preparing students for any path they choose. By inviting students from other schools, Brookhurst’s drama team transformed Our Town into more than just a school play. It became a shared experience—one that showcased not only their talent but also the power of theatre to connect and inspire.
At Brookhurst, the success of Our Town was not measured in applause alone, but in the journey that led there. From the first script reading to the final bow, Ms. Bredah and the team saw our students grow—not just as performers, but as individuals. And that, she believes, is the true magic of drama.
