Shasta Barkman has always loved Narnia.
The Mount Sentinel Grade 11 student, who has been performing in her high school’s productions forthe past two years, thinks there’s something special about C.S. Lewis’s 1950 classic The Lion, theWitch and the Wardrobe that transcends generational boundaries.
“It’s whimsy, the escapism,” Barkman told the Star.
“These kids were from a war-torn world, and then they get to go to this magical place and becometheir own heroes, which is what makes it compelling.”
And she believes that’s a message that’s just as relevant in 2017 as it was then.
Now she just needs to figure out how exactly to conjure the presence of Aslan, the mighty lion shewill be playing, when the show is performed on Jan. 12, 13 and 14.
It’s a process she loves.
“For me, acting and being in theatre has really built my confidence, and it’s also just fun doing theproductions and making friends. I think it’s really important that there’s a place where students canexpress themselves and learn and grow in a really interactive way.”
Barkman hopes the community comes out to see what the students have up their sleeves.
“I think it’s going to be really beautiful. Heather Shippit’s an amazing director and there are so manytalented people involved.
“This is a good way to see the fresh talent in our community. It will be a real showcase.”
