It may be that many secondary schools
in Ottawa have limited funding for extracurricular arts programs
and can’t afford to conduct large school productions. But
when Lisgar Collegiate Institute puts on a musical, it’s
big.
Lisgar Collegiate students have the support and resources for
an elaborate show largely because of its long-standing and active
alumni association, the Lisgar Alumni Association, which recently
put $45,000 towards painting and fixing-up the school’s
entire 131 year-old auditorium.
“The mandate of the alumni association is really to put
money into the school in areas the school’s budget can’t
take care of,” says Richard Arrigo, head of fine arts and
business at Lisgar.
Lisgar Collegiate was established in 1843 and many current alumni
were actively involved in past theatrical performances, and work
hard to provide continuing funding for art and music programs.
This year’s musical is Guys and Dolls, Frank Loesser’s
classic story about a fly-by-night gambler who woos a Salvation
Army girl to accompany him to Cuba.
Gangsters, illegal craps games, a New York attitude, dancers
and song are all part of the show.
The total cost of the production is still unknown, but alumni
funding and revenue from past performances have lifted the burden
many other secondary schools face, such as having to undergo
huge fundraising efforts for school plays.
“We’re really lucky to not have to worry about funding,”
says Grade 11 student Lina Crompton, who is playing Miss Adelaide.
“We can just focus on putting on a play.”
But the funding is only a part of what enables Lisgar Collegiate
to captivate its audience with great performances.
Students, parents, teachers, school staff and alumni are all
getting their hands dirty in making Guys and Dolls spectacular.
Many of those volunteering have professional experience working
as carpenters, tailors, musicians, dance choreographers and even
jewelry makers.
“This is not just a play,” says Gabriel Walton, who
plays Nathan Detroit. “Almost every single teacher involved
has gotten their students involved too — there are music
kids, tech kids, and even math kids helping out.”
“Everyone is really going overboard to make this play amazing,”
adds Dylan Lidbetter, who scored the role of Sky Masterson.
Students in the art classes have painted detailed backdrops for
different scenes, and the orchestra has been practicing the musical
score, which they will perform live.
About one-third of the school’s students, ranging from Grade
9 to Grade 12, are involved in the production.
Art and music programs have always been an integral part of Lisgar
Collegiate, says music teacher and producer of the show Trudy
Bradley.
“We have a very strong tradition of excellence and push
our students to achieve.”
During the last six weeks students and staff involved with the
play have rehearsed before school, during lunch hours, after
school and on weekends.
“We definitely have standards to live up to from past musicals,”
says Grade 11 student Emilie Grimes, who plays the character
Sarah Brown.
Three years ago Lisgar performed The Sound of Music without an
empty seat in the theatre. Organizers say this year’s musical
should sell out as well.
Public performances of Guys and Dolls will be held Dec. 1-3 at
7:30 p.m. in the Alumni auditorium at Lisgar Collegiate Institute.
Tickets are $10. |