playbill vip

When I picked “Newsies” back in June, I knew that the world was hurting, and I was unsure where we would be by show time this year.  We needed a show that was full of positivity to keep us going.  “Newsies” is based on the true story of the Newsboys’ strike of 1899 in New York City.  In 1899 the youth of New York stood up against the two biggest newspaper companies, “The World” and “The Journal”, proving they had a voice and rights as workers.  The main plot of this musical stays surprisingly close to the real events of that strike, and challenges youth to speak up for what is right and “Seize the Day”. 

Students began rehearsing and working on this production back in October.  Since then, it has been a roller-coaster of navigating changing COVID restrictions.  We did not know if we would even have an audience until a few weeks ago.   I am so proud of how all these students have handled this process.  Zooming in to rehearsals when they could not be at school, stepping in to help others when needed, singing and dancing fully masked, fundraising, and putting in the extra time needed for this show. 

As always, I could not do what I do without a tremendous amount of support.  I would like to thank Jessica Hickman our Choreographer who joined us after Christmas to help me finish this show.  She comes with ample experience in musical theatre and has made the students look amazing in a very short amount of time.  Mr. Weston and Mr. Buchanan (our shop teachers) for making this set a reality and ensuring that no matter how many students I put on the balcony at once, they will be safe.  Michelle Loukko and her daughter Julianna for sewing all our newspaper bags and hats when we were unable to source them.

As well, the Reynold’s Theatre parents for hand making every one of our cast members the clear masks they are using, so we can see their faces while they perform, without me even asking them too.   I was overwhelmed with the idea of having to be fully masked this year and they had figured it out.  One Sunday, they simply made them for us too, and I received a message saying they had made them and to come pick them up. Proving the Musical Theatre community in this district is one that supports one another and is truly in this together. 

Finally, my admin team for always supporting me, when none of us have the answers to what is next during this pandemic, and it feels like we are flying blind.  Barry Janzen for being the best teaching partner I could ask for, and the most non-judgemental sounding board as we figured this all out.  Last, my family, as it is a well-known fact that from Winter Break to Spring Break I am a bit useless at home. Yet despite that, they still support, help, and cheer me on, year after year.  Enjoy the show! - Nette