This C.A.S.T. (comedic arts service troupe) is an outgrowth of Drury Stage Company, the theater program that its director, Kate Caton, has spearheaded since 2013.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Feb. 15, the K-5 students in the North Adams School district will be entertained by Drury High School's comedy troupe for an interactive assembly program titled "Stand-up for Comedy."

Thanks to the initial support of Superintendent Dr. Barbara Malkas and Principal Tim Callahan, this comedy initiative will host its inaugural journey within the North Adams School community.

This C.A.S.T. (comedic arts service troupe) is an outgrowth of Drury Stage Company, the theater program that its director, Kate Caton, has spearheaded since 2013. This groundbreaking ensemble is designed for a two- fold purpose: first, a reach out to our elementary school population, utilizing theater arts as both an educational tool for growth, and second, as a service troupe for the wider community.

"Humor builds a learning relationship through the joyful blending of both the mind and the heart. Humor is known to reduce stress and tension in the classroom, improves retention of information, and promotes creative understanding," Caton said.  

Humor within the educational framework has the ability to enhance students' interest and participation, according to a study conducted by Ohio State University professors of psychology, Mark Shatz and Frank LoSchiavo. Comedy and its study, is a small part of the theatrical process often times not explored in depth. Caton works daily with these high school students on perfecting skills in improvisation, comedic timing, mime, pantomime and sketch comedy, thus developing skills in the comedic arts while building confidence as a stage performer.  

Constructive humor is known to relieve stress, elevate mood, enhance creativity, and supports constructive conduct. Healthy humor can also be utilized as a noble instrument for building relationships. Laughter brings people closer together and it's an especially powerful tool for managing conflict and reducing anxiety.

"Stand-up for Comedy has one specific rule," Caton said: Comedy is only to be used to help support all students' self-esteem. "Laugh with us and not at us is our slogan. The use of comedy in this presentation is meant to engage students, draw their attention to basic comedic theatrical techniques, offer inspiration, and can be a tool that they can rely on to help them see things creatively from many angles, learn to be spontaneous, invite positive, unconventional ways of thinking and enjoy and participate in the playful aspects of life."

After launching this event, The Drury Stage Comedy C.A.S.T  continues to work on their next community service project for a March 2017 date: a mystery dinner theater fundraising event, to benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Berkshires.

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