IN AN examination-oriented education system where science studies are considered more important than arts, it is challenging to pursue an interest in the creative arts.

Staging a play requires hours and hours of practice, and most people probably think that time is better spent on revisions and homework.

Well, the members of the English Literary and Debating Society of Assunta Secondary School in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, decided that it was worth their time and energy to stage Literary Night 2009, an annual student production of dance, drama and music.

The Literary Night tradition in the school began way back in 1961.

The love for the performing arts among the students saw them coming up with various shows through the years. In the 1990s, the school made the stage shows an annual affair and named it Literary Night.

“This year, Literary Night centred around the theme Mosaics — the pieces of life that come together,” said the society’s student president Deborah Christie Tan.

With comical pieces that played on the English language, instrumental performances with lovely vocals, creative dances, poetry infused with music and a classic Shakespearean play (a must in every Literary Night), this year’s event was a celebration of diversity.

After taking part in the production, we understood that the Literary Night tradition has withstood the test of time because the reward was not in the glory of performing for an audience, and nor was it in the pride of basking in the spotlights (literally!).

The joy lies in the hours of rehearsals, months of planning and endless dreams. It was the pure passion for putting up a great show that inspired us.

“We interpret the pieces our way. Literature’s more about the interpretation of a written work. There’s loads of scripts around from the Internet and books.

Choosing one to stage was really hard though, as American ones just don’t work well for Asians. It’s harder to relate to their jokes.

“Stage work is fun: from throwing our voices, expressions, gestures, stage movement, props, backdrop, costumes and make-up,” says student Jaishree Nagarajan, 16, who worked her heart out for the production.

In the end, the students’ hard work paid off as they performed to over 600 appreciative spectators. With so many students pitching in, from the backstage crew to the directors to the performers, it was indeed a mosaic of talent and passion.

And the students are all excited about next year’s production, continuing on a strong school tradition.