As recent weather still leaves a chill in the air, it’s the perfect time to take in and celebrate St. John’s Academy’s first ever production. The private school makes their drama debut with Frozen Jr., which will be on stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre on April 21 at 7 p.m. and on April 22 at 2 and 7 p.m.
The school’s musical theatre production specialist Morgan McLeod, who just came on board this year, shares that with the school only in it’s fourth year, all are ecstatic to be putting on their first show for the community to enjoy. While Frozen Jr. aims to be faithful to the Disney hit film, it’s an adaptation of the Broadway musical and will be a 60-minute version of the latter.
“For our very first production, we wanted to choose something that would have a wide appeal, both in terms of the students who auditioned and the audience we draw in,” say McLeod. “It seems to have paid off — our matinee is our biggest seller, so families are definitely coming out to see it.”
It takes a village to put on a production. McLeod shares that not only have all the Grade 4 to 6 students stepped up to play a part, but the school’s Grade 8 class has also been hands-on to create, and construct all the props used in the show. While Morgan takes the reins on directing, his wife Kelli McLeod steps in as choreographer. Tristan Clausen known for his great instincts bears the role of music director.
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“It has brought together so many different people, I have been directing high school theatre for over 20 years,” says McLeod. “This is the first time I have directed a show with students from Grade 4-11. It has been great to see the enthusiasm they have all brought and to see the older students standing out as role models for the younger students. Almost 100 students have been involved in this production, which is pretty incredible since we are a school of only 180 students at the moment.”
Tickets are $20 for adults, and only $15 for students and seniors. They can be purchased through the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.
“It has been very special for all of us to be a part of this process, producing a musical at the school for the first time, but definitely not the last time,” say McLeod. “I hope the students will walk away with an immense amount of pride, not only in their hard work, and the show they created, but also being a part of the very first St. John’s Academy production. I also hope they feel a pride in the family they have created with their cast mates.”
chadd.cawson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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