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A long time ago in a village far away, a little girl looked up at the stars and thought: I would love to

shine bright like a star...She always thought a star would be someone who everyone knew. That a star would always be seen by everyone. And most definitely, a star would be incredibly rich! As she grew older, she became impatient, wondering why she wasn’t becoming all those things. She felt unfulfilled, dissatisfied, and a little bit upset with herself.

One day, as she sat all by herself on the porch of her rambling colonial style home, she saw a rusty old box at the edge of the garden. Slowly picking up her 65 year old frame, she walked excitedly towards this gilt-edged box which her mother had given her when she’d died twenty years ago.

On opening it, she found letters. All written to her. Some were from her former students at Afienya Basic School where she did her practice teaching. Some were from the women in Salaga that she’d worked with as they tried to develop their shea butter business. Ah...look at that one, from that American boy who’d spent a study abroad year at Legon. She’d been his ‘Ghanaian mother’ for that year, cooking jollof for him and making sure that he went back to his hometown of Buffalo, NY with memories of Ghana that would last a lifetime. She chuckled as she remembered teaching him simple Ghanaian phrases; that boy insisted on trotro rides everywhere and exclaimed each time that it was ‘authentic’! And then she saw the letter. Torn in parts and grayed in others, her eyes misted as she remembered the day she received it.

WELCOME MESSAGE

Dr. Mary AshunIncoming Principal

Sarafina4

“Dear Mrs. BoatengI am so very excited to write this letter to you. Just last week, my agent called to give me some incredible news; my audition to play the part of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, was successful! I start my run in August and I’m beyond excited.I want to thank you for encouraging my acting and music interests. As my music teacher at GIS, you encouraged me to participate in the annual school musical. I can remember playing one of the village people in Beauty & The Beast when I was only in Form Two. Then came the part of Joseph in Joseph & the Technicolour Dreamcoat in Form Four. In Lower Sixth, I was Alladin in the musical of the same name. I grew at GIS, discovering that I had a talent for song and dance and while others may have thought it wasn’t serious, you always reminded me that if that was my passion, it could become a serious profession. Well, here I am. And I owe it all to you!You are my star Mrs. Boateng...With gratitudeKweku

She wiped the tears pouring down her face, realizing that all the things she’d done to help others, support them and at the same time use her gifts, were very star-like. Mrs. Boateng walked slowly to her rocking chair on that porch and smiled.

She was a star...

This year, our musical Sarafina is ‘star’ studded with students who have worked extremely hard. Some will pursue a career in the Arts and some will use this experience to become more impactful in other careers. GIS continues to remind students that being the best you can be includes putting yourself out there to try new positive experiences. Bravo to all the students who will be part of the production - on and off stage.

To those teachers and staff - our own Mrs. Boatengs - who gave of their time, energy and passion to Sarafina, we say Ayekoo! There is a Kweku right here that you’ve nurtured. Keep up the good work!

We extend tons of gratitude to our parents who’ve supported us year in and year out. Thank you for joining with us and supporting us.

It’s a great time to be at GIS!

Dr. AshunIncoming Principal

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Ghana International School (GIS) is one of Ghana’s leading international schools, providing world class

holistic education to children between the ages of 3 years and 18 years across its four sections namely: Infant School, Junior School, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary School.

The School is a not-for-profit, private, non-sectarian, coeducational day school established in September 1955. It was the first educational establishment to provide international education to students of all races and creeds, at a time when the Gold Coast was yet to achieve full independence. Sixty years on, GIS continues to provide quality education to both international and local students in a unique and more competitive educational setting.

GIS offers a curriculum modeled along the English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE Curriculum and General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced level with English language as the medium of instruction.

Ghana International School, after years of application and hard work, is the first and only international school in Ghana to be accredited by both the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS), in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The School is also an active member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA). Currently, GIS enrolls approximately 1400 pupils and students from over 50 countries across the world.

ABOUT GHANA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (GIS)

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ANNUAL GIS MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS

Ghana International School since 2008 has produced spectacular stage performances of well known

Musicals at the National Theatre. The School has staged adaptations of ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Aida’ and ‘In the Heights’, just to name a few.

The popular musical “Sarafina”, written by the renowned playwright Dr. Mbongeni Ngema, is our latest offering. We passionately believe in producing outstanding Musical performances, as it gives our students a unique opportunity to explore their boundless talents, build their self-esteem and broaden their outlook in a world that thrives on diversity.

Every year, the performance is organized by the Secondary School’s Music and English Literature Departments, whose collaboration harnesses the talents of over 100 students from Forms One to Lower Six.

“Sarafina” is yet another sterling production and promises to be an entertaining and enthralling performance.

BACKGROUND TO THE

Production Musical Year

9th Sarafina 2016

8th In the Heights 2015

7th Aida 2014

6th Les Miserables 2013

5th

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2012

4th Fame 2011

3rd Sound of Music

2010

2nd The Music Man

2009

1st Annie 2008

The Ghana International School Musical Productions

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“Sarafina” is set in 1976 at Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto, where about 200,000 black students assembled to protest against government decrees that imposed the “official” language of Afrikaans as the new medium of instruction in their classes, instead of their own language, Zulu. The police and army came to break up the crowd, and many children were injured or killed. The uprising marked the beginning of a period of violent unrest.

Through drama and song, “Sarafina” follows the activities of a fictional class and in particular, one girl named Sarafina who inspires her classmates with her commitment to the struggle against the government. In the musical’s explosive finale, the students present a class concert about the symbolic “Day of Liberation” they all dream of—when their hero, Nelson Mandela is released after more than two decades in prison.

GIS SARAFINA CAST ROLES

Afrakoma Ampofo Lindiwe/Thandekile

Afriyie Elle Amankwah Student

Antoinette Batsa Student

Brianna Boateng Student

Charlayne Cheryln Oppong Student (Charlene)

Curtis Quist S’ginci

Daniel Twum Preacher

Edmund Acquaah Sergeant/Student

Efua A. Ewusie Magundane

Eli Mensah Student

Esperanza Don-Obilor Student

Faith Cameron Student/Thamsanqua

Fridous Lamptey Student

George Ofori Crocodile

Gillian Ofori Timber

Jaycil Laryea Student

SARAFINA SYNOPSIS

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Jennifer Caesar Sarafina

Joel Edward Prempeh Stimela

Jojo Ashun Silence

Kaku Tumi Colgate (Pat Mlaba)

Kezia Nelson Student

Kweikuor Abloso Old woman/Student

Lady Akua T. Dadzie Mistress It’s A Pity

Malaika Muderhwa Student

Marie-Claire Kapesa Thandi

Nana Ama Ampofo Tenkorang Student

Nana Kwame Amankwah Lieutenant

Nhyira Blankson Student

Okwei Dowuona Siboniso

Papa Kwame Yeboah Student

Richel Balerina Macmillan-Parker Student/Sarafina

Rima Baitie Linda

Rodney Fiscian Policeman

Samuelle Asante Thandekile

Sophia Nyonyo Student

Tabitha Booba Student

Tracy Okwaisie Teaspoon

Yumiko Tan-Okyere Khumbuzile

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SARAFINA CAST LIST ROLES

Alfred Larbi Student

Cecelia Akasi Ewelie Student

Ebenezer Nai Student

Ebenezer Tanko Bentor Student

Eva A. Gyasi Student

Florence Yemoh Student

George Okraku Student

Georgina Offei Gyati Kipizane

Isaac Mensah Student

Joseph Tawiah Nortey Mubi

Joyce Oppong Student

Mary Quaye Student

Monica Nortey Student

Obed Kwartei Quartey Student

Patricia Aryee Student

Peace Dorfenyoh Student

Victor Neku Student

La Wireless Cluster of Schools

CHOIRNana Ama Ampofo-Tenkorang (Leader)Nortei DowuonaCharlene OppongTracey OkwasieRichel ParkerEmmanuel OmaboeDavid RennerNii-Darku Bruce TagoeSamuelle Asante

Esperanza Don-Obilor

DRAMA DIRECTORSJuliette VanderpuyeSelase DzakamaniAma Obese-Jecty (Alumna)

MUSIC DIRECTORSPius AsabilTheophilia Elorm LarbiEmmanuel Andoh-BaidooJoseph Blankson

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CHOREOGRAPHYVivian BoatengFred Fiifi Adom Ofosu (KINGFI)

STUDENT DIRECTORSBrianna BoadiEileen WoodeAnn-Marie Ayibotele

SOUNDMido Productions

COSTUMEJoana Mawusi Diku

MAKE-UPBody Spice

BAND Jasper Band

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTEno Adusei

SET DESIGNJojo Tetteh Quantson

STUDENTS IN CHARGE OF MAKE-UP & COSTUMESharon Dowouna-HammondLalla MaigaNana Efua Amonoo-NeizerCybil Osei-BonsuNana Ama Ampofo Tenkorang

PROPSAugustine GokahMercy Ohene-NtowRauf SulemanaTheophilus Owusu

LIGHTSSelasi Glover

GRAPHIC DESIGNOfoe AgbettorStephen Wong

PHOTOGRAPHYOfoe AgbettorTetteh SackeyNortei DowounaBenjamin Quao

JINGLEMr. Mathias BossohKwasi AndohMichelle Yeboah

MARKETING AND PUBLICITYPhoebe AcolatseYvonne KufuorSeiwaa Osei Afriyie – GIS SRC President GIS SRCCecil Ato Kwamena DadzieIsaac Koranteng

MCJanhavi NesarikarAtal Tripathi

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APPRECIATIONOn behalf of the Board of Directors, Management, Staff, Students and the Musical Team of

Ghana International School, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to all who

sponsored and supported us in diverse ways to make the production a success.

Sarafina Author and AssociatesDr. Mbongeni Ngema

Committed Artists

The South African High Commission

Ms. Ledile Bambo

La Wireless Cluster of SchoolsThe Circuit Supervisor

(La Dadekotopon Municipal District Education)

Heads of La Wireless Cluster of Schools

Ms. Edikimie Akorlor

GIS Family and FriendsMrs. Diana Nyatepe-Coo

Dr. Mary Ashun

Ms. Heidi Owu

Mr. Frank Amponsah- Mensah

Ms. Ida Abbeyquaye

Mrs. Mary Ocansey

Mr. Alfred Ayer

Mrs. Sante Andah

Mrs. Deborah Tackie

Parents of Cast

Mrs. Rebecca Adjirackor

Mrs. Martha Annor

Mrs. Adelaide Pearce Arthur

Ms. Akorfa Norvor

Mrs. Zenabu Akoto

Miss Catherine Tukpeyi

Mrs. Martha Baeta

Ms. Sheila Somevi

Mrs. Annette Essel

Mr. Yao Sokpoli

Mr. Stephen Kumi

Mr. Eli Amegbletor

Mr. Victor Abedi

Mr. Eric Annang Neequay

Mr. Seth Aryeetey

Security

Stewards

Drivers

Staff of GIS

Students of GIS

Ama K. Abebrese

Ameyaw Debrah

Spyderlee Entertainment TV

Homebase TV

Cupcake Boutique

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSSpecial thanks to the following individuals and organisations for their support:

CORPORATE DONORS

ESTY FABRICS

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Address:2nd Circular Road, Cantonments

P.0. Box GP 2856Accra, Ghana

Contact us::Phone: +233 302 773299

Fax: +233 302 774379Email: prinoffice@gis.edu.gh

Website: www.gis.edu.gh

Member of the:Association of International Schools (AISA)Accredited by the:• Council of International Schools (CIS)• New England Association of Schools

and Colleges (NEASC)