ENTERTAINMENT
Anne of Green Gables will light up stage at NDHS By Bill Freeman
high-spirited heroine of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s enduring 1908 novel, will come to life in the high school’s production of the famously Canadian musical with Brittany Stewart in the lead
role. “I am very excited,” says director Tracey Irwin, a member of the Peterborough Singers who is also the school’s guidance secretary.
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Entertainment - Norwood – Anne of Green Gables will light up the stage at Norwood District High School. Anne Shirley, the feisty and
There certainly is plenty to be excited about because the school has placed a real emphasis on bringing the community into the production as volunteers and helpers as well as inviting grade seven and eight students from NDHS feeder schools in Havelock, Norwood and Hastings to participate. “It’s really nice because the whole school is getting involved,” says Irwin, noting that construction classes will work on prop building, the art class will immerse itself in set design and teachers like guidance head Todd Murray are working backstage. “There’s lots of opportunity to be involved with backstage, lighting, front of house, marketing,” she says. And of course there is a large, committed cast of over 20 which does include elementary students. A committee that included community members selected the play in September following a series of meetings; the intention is to enhance the arts at the school and encourage people from outside of NDHS to be part of this renaissance. “We had a little focus group and this is nice Canadian music which is what we wanted to start out. We wanted to do something Canadian and this is what came out on top,” said Irwin. The play also gels nicely with the talent pool within the school, she says. “For us, we have a very strong female talent,” she said, adding that they were pleasantly surprised at the number of boys who came out to auditions. “So we wanted something that was
Brittany Stewart will take on the lead role in Norwood District High’s musical production of Anne of Green Gables. Photo: Bill Freeman
not only Canadian but would also fit our students a little more.” They also wanted an easily recognizable play that would attract people from the community to the school during its April 10-12 run. Things have gone well from the very first rehearsal, says Irwin, which was really designed as a “fun night of games and team building.”
“It got everybody comfortable with everybody else,” she said. That was important because there are quite a few grade nine and ten students in the show. “We really want to focus on the arts at the school,” Murray, who is the backstage manager, said. “We find that a lot of grade nines and tens are into the arts and lean towards Please see “Stage” on page B11
The Village of Ameliasburgh Presents...
Bundle up for a feel-good afternoon of Christmas cheer! The Village of Ameliasburgh is opening its doors to greet you! Forget the hustle and bustle of the shopping malls and take the time to remember the heart and soul of the holiday, past and present. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M.
Ameliasburgh, Ontario Park your vehicles behind the Town Hall - at 13 Coleman Street
FREE ADMISSION! Donations Appreciated
~ Horse Drawn Wagon Rides in the Village
B10 EMC Section B- Thursday, November 28, 2013
~ Craft Making at the Library and the Victoria School House ~ “Settler’s Christmas” at the Museum’s Log Cabin with Cider & Sweets
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~ Evergreen Demonstrations & Cookie Decorating at the Town Hall