Saturday, 20 July 2013 00:00
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The Revelations Academy of Performing Arts and Creativity took the top honours in Comedy, Inventive and Prepared Story Telling, Public Speaking, Prose Reading and Drama in the recently concluded Sri Lanka Festival for the Performing Arts (SFPA).
The SFPA is organised under the patronage of the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and conducted by the Institute of Music, Speech & Speaking Skills, affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech UK.
Representing the Revelations Academy, Devishke De Silva (Best Comedy), Swathik Ponnusamy (Best Dramatic Solo) and the Academy’s Senior Drama Group (Best Overall Performance) were chosen as the standout performances of the entire Festival. The all-island winners were Devishke De Silva (Prepared Story Telling), Damath Gunawardhena (Public Speaking), Tharuka Jayaratnam (Inventive Story Telling), Shyalina Muthumudalige (Drama Solo) and Swathik Ponnusamy (Prose Reading).
The Academy’s Senior Drama Group was also adjudged the all-island winner of its category. Akshan Cader, Devishke De Silva, Damath Gunawardhena, Tharuka Jayaratnam, Aanya Perera, Swathik Ponnusamy, Sathinji Senanayake and Anukha Wijesuriya were the members of the winning cast. The Junior Drama Group also clinched the all-island winner’s award. The ensemble comprised of Jonathan Durairaj, Cheran Jayaratnam, Gavyn Marshall, Shyalina Muthumudalige and Dhearthik Ponnusamy.
The Academy entered its students in 18 individual categories and two group competitions that saw an impressive 85% of students receiving distinctions or higher grades in a variety of genres, including mime and radio script reading. Krishan Jayaratnam and Thelma Jayaratnam coached the Academy’s candidates that participated in the SFPA competition.
The Revelations Academy was founded by the multi-award winning choral group The Revelations. The Revelations, directed by the head of the Academy, Sanjeev Jayaratnam, are ranked seventh in the world among male choirs. Sri Lanka’s preeminent acapella group made history when they were adjudged Champions of the 2008 World Choir Games in two categories. Along with their international exposure and unique artistry, the staff at the Academy is passionate about building a community of artists.
Being ardent fans of music and theatre, the Academy believes that anyone can be taught the performing arts by applying time, commitment and enjoyment to the practice. Pre-determined skills are not a barrier to gain entry into the Academy. They welcome anyone above the age of four, asking only for enthusiasm and dedication as prerequisites. The Academy strives to create an environment that fosters fun and relaxation while honing new skills. ‘Our staff conducts classes in a manner that is conducive to developing life lessons such as building confidence, overcoming stage fright, communication skills and leadership qualities,’ said the Revelations Academy Director, Sanjeev Jayaratnam.
The Revelations Academy conducts classes in singing, voice development, drama, art, guitar and drums. Members have the flexibility to choose to attend group classes ranging from junior to intermediate to senior, or arrange one-on-one sessions. Students of the Academy are privy to stimulating new challenges and opportunities to compete and perform in public. Quest for Friendship is an originally written and produced children’s musical that was staged to critical acclaim by the Academy.
The Academy’s Senior Choir, in its very first international competition, won two silver medals in the Pop & Jazz and Gospel categories in Indonesia in 2010. Sanjeev Jayaratnam has coached the Platinum, Gold and Silver international-award winning Methodist College Choir, and the Visakha Vidyalaya Senior Choir, that became the first government school choir to win an international choral music award.
Get in touch with the Revelations Academy of Performing Arts and Creativity through email via [email protected] or by calling 0777 418 150.
