The Great Fire of Saint John: Producing Historic Plays

By Susan Bate, 1997 Governor-General’s Award Finalist

INTENDED GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT AREA

Grade 8 and 9, History, Language, Theatre Arts

CONCEPTS

“Project 1877” was a partnership project linking the class of 9F of Quispamsis Junior High to the community theatre company, New City Theatre Company, Ltd.

INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES

Students will:

appreciate their own city by taking an in-depth look at one period of its history
understand the process, method and approach which is unique to the study of history
demonstrate an understanding of how geographic forces shape culture and history
create a cooperative book while learning research skills and the steps of the writing process

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the fall of 1996, the company announced that it would be producing an historic drama, From These Ashes, on June 20 and 21, 1997. The play describes the golden days of Saint John in 1877 and shows the effects of the Great Fire on the city. The students were offered an opportunity to learn about an exciting era in the history of their city through their research and promotional work for this production.

The success of this project was due to the highly motivating factor that the students were participating in a community project. The research and writing the students did was actually for a real purpose and for real people—the actors needed to know about the era so they could understand and develop their characters. The students were helping them accomplish this by providing a book or relevant topics on the era.

About the Educator

Susan Bate believes that historical fiction is a powerful tool for connecting students to their past. Using a play she co-authored about life in Saint John at the time of the Great Fire of 1877, Susan began involving her students in local, historical research. To mark the 120th anniversary of the Great Fire, the play was to be produced on June 20, 1997. The grade nine students researched primary sources and interviewed local historians in order to provide actors with the historical background they needed. Their research was then written and published as Project Saint John 1877, a collection of short essays on urban life in Saint John. Students also promoted the play by creating advertising and through a skit they wrote and performed. Through the use of historical fiction, Susan has managed to teach a piece of Canadian history in a creative and meaningful way.