Join the students of New Westminster Secondary School on a journey of self-discovery at their latest musical theatre production this week.
Five friends at a high school are at odds with each other … the spirit of a deceased janitor then comes to the rescue and takes them on a journey of self-discovery, so they can figure out who they are and who they are meant to be.
This original musical revue, Clean Slate, is presented by the high school’s Musical Theatre Foundations program, an all-ages, non-auditioned course that introduces students of all levels to the world of musical theatre performance.
The 60-minute musical will be onstage at the NWSS Theatre on Thursday, June 1 and Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each, available through School Cash Online until 1 p.m. on respective show days. Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door, cash only.
The musical production, Frances Monteleone, the theatre foundations program teacher said, is the culmination of a five-week-long effort from 32 NWSS students (grades 9 to 12) involved in the production.
While the last three performances were written and directed by Monteleone, this production was a more collaborative effort, she said. “It’s great to see the students take interest in it, especially the directing and script-writing students who are coming at it from a different angle.”
The onstage production will be a fully student-led effort — five of them involved with script writing and direction, in addition to the students acting, dancing and singing. Behind the scenes, Alix Sabinin, a Grade 10 technical student will be running the technical aspects of the show — lighting, sound and more.
“I was able to teach them how to create elements of characterization, how to manipulate and then focus when it comes to directing scenes on the stage,” Monteleone said. “They [then] took that knowledge and applied it practically in the classroom. We’re looking at all the aspects that go into a theatrical production, and students are having an opportunity to experience what each one of those areas requires.”
She added, “It’s fantastic because the older students who have been with me for a number of years can mentor the younger students, who are just coming in and they’re all incredibly keen.”
The production will be accompanied by some of the best Broadway music — including songs from The Greatest Showman, Newsies, and High School Musical. The song, This is Me, from The Greatest Showman, is one she (Monteleone) is thrilled to bring onstage.
With the plot directly intertwining with the soul of the song, she hopes the audience can feel and reflect on their own lives, no matter where they are in life, and consider who they are and how they want to represent themselves in the world.
Clean Slate
When: Thursday, June 1 and Friday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: NWSS theatre
Cost: $10; available at School Cash Online; or at the door (cash only)
