Once upon a time, there were two acting classes who jumped at the chance to explore a couple of well-loved stories.
Danielle Berger’s two Shuswap Secondary School Grade 11-12 classes are working hard on their productions, which will run in late April and early May.
First up from Monday, April 25 to Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. is Wizard of Oz.
Toto (a girl dressed up like a dog), Scarecrow, who is looking for a brain, the Tin Man, who is looking for a heart, and Lion, who is looking for courage are all there, including, of course, Dorothy, who is looking for a way to get home to Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.
“This play, although similar to the 1939 version starring Judy Garland in many ways, will surprise the audience with interesting plot changes, unique costumes and props and creative technical aspects,” says Berger enthusiastically. “High school acting kids are up for anything and when I told them about Wizard of Oz they were absolutely thrilled.”
She says the students had all seen the film and began chattering right away about what role they were going to audition for and what kind of character development they had in mind.
“It’s neat to see them so excited from the get-go; it makes my job so much easier if they’re willing to work,” Berger says. “If they aren’t onboard from the beginning, it’s hard to sell them on a play when we’re already working on it.”
Very hard work is going into both productions because the end-of-semester plays are going on earlier than most years. This means less time to memorize lines as well as blocking, character development and set design and decoration, and as lighting and other technical operations.
“They are so helpful; every single student is going above and beyond,” says Berger. “It’s great to see them involved in all the different aspects of the play because it gives them a more well-rounded education – and that goes with both classes.”
Berger says acting classes are about much more than what happens at the shows. She says the work that is done during the semester provides life skills, including collaborating, project management, time management and co-ordinating – learning skills they can apply in any aspect of life.
“Wizard of Oz is great for all ages and we hope the community will come out to support the acting class,” she says.
Tickets are on sale now at the Sullivan campus office for $8 each and will be available at the door as well – if there are any left.
And the same goes for Snow White when tickets for the production that runs May 3 to 6 go on sale on April 25.
Berger says students in this class have also been working extremely hard to put together their year-end performance.
“There are 21 girls and boys with a wide range of performing experience and parts that not only include acting, but also props and make-up, costume design, seamstress work and lighting and technical roles,” she says, noting the show is appropriate for all family members. “This production is sure to bring much excitement and joy to the audience.”
As in her other class, student reaction to her choice of Snow White was enthusiastic.
“When I told them, a unanimous cheer erupted,” Berger laughs. “They grew up watching the Disney version; there have been numerous other films released and this is a compilation of all of them.”
If you can’t remember the names of all seven dwarfs from the original film, don’t worry. Due to the size of this class, there will be only five dwarfs with intriguing names – Blick, Flick, Snick, Glick, and Quee – “a really goofy bunch of characters, so much fun.”
There is an evil queen, evil witch, a pedlar woman and, of course, Prince Charming.
Berger say students in both classes are very talented, with a couple in each class who are comfortable onstage and plan careers in the performing arts, either in acting, music, dance or art.
“However, on the other side, there are many students who are first-time actors and will be making their debut performing in front of a live audience, which makes this a great opportunity to allow themselves to be vulnerable and get outside of their comfort zone,” she adds.
“It’s OK to be scared but important to push themselves past that point. Again, it’s a life lesson that will help them in life in general.”
