Bethune Elementary School presented Willy Wonka: The Holiday Story, a holiday adaptation of the original movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, on Dec. 16 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The school-wide production was a blend of drama and dance filled with music selected to challenge students and engage the audience. Bethune’s school partners The Coca-Cola Company and the Georgia World Congress Center, sponsored the event. All Bethune students from grades K-5 performed a variety of holiday songs under the direction of chorus teacher Ulguithe Francisque, and accompanied by a live performance of the school’s jazz trio. Bethune band students played an instrumental medley of holiday selections under the direction of band teacher Arthur McClenton. Bethune’s 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year, art teacher Colletta Rogers, designed the costumes and sets for the production.
“Bethune’s holiday program represents a huge investment in time and effort for all those involved,” said Bethune Principal RoseMary Hamer. “The grade choruses have been practicing together during their enrichment sessions memorizing lyrics, music and choreography, and dancers and drama students were engaged in lengthy preparatory rehearsals.”