13 Wednesday.February 10.2016 | Powell River Peak » prpeak.com
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Wizard comes to complex stage Veteran performer gives last bow as member of youth troupe MEL EDGAR mel@prpeak.com
Although highway access to the Lower Mainland is a controversial topic, Powell River residents are invited to follow the yellow brick road to Musical Theatre Kids’ upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz. The classic tale featuring Dorothy and her ruby slippers is the latest offering from the children’s troupe and will include actors aged 11 to 17, plus a number of specially invited younger Munchkins. The show will also be a farewell of sorts for Sydney Spenst, 17, who is aging out of the troupe. “It is bittersweet, but I am grateful,” said the grade 12 Brooks Secondary School student. “It has been such an adventure.” Spenst has been part of every one of the troupe’s performances since she was 11, beginning as Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland and playing Tin Man in this latest production. “It was a ton of fun,” said Spenst of playing the evil queen, “and not hard at all to get into character.” Spenst said she enjoys fostering confidence in young actors, and as a children’s musical theatre teacher at Laszlo
Tamasik Dance Academy, she uses what she has learned to guide others. “Musical theatre really breaks kids out of their shells,” said Spenst. “It is really fantastic seeing [students] grow from being really timid to trying things out and having fun.” Musical Theatre Kids choreographer Paige Anderson, also the artistic director at Tamasik’s academy, said she really hopes Spenst stays around to help and teach after she graduates. “She is doing such a fantastic job,” said Anderson. “I have more work for her next year if she wants it.” It is the end of an era for director Carma Sacree, who said she is going to miss having Spenst in future productions. “She is a lovely girl and so dedicated,” said Sacree. “I can give [Spenst] any part and she’ll have her lines memorized in no time.” Although Spenst has plans to study musical theatre in the future, she said for now she is just enjoying the fun of being in a show with people she cares about, including her sister Haley, 14, and best friend Jeremy Hopper, 17. “It is harder to get work done some weeks,” said Spenst, “because we are laughing so hard.” The Wizard of Oz performances take place at Evergreen Theatre, Powell River Recreation Complex, at 7 pm on Thursday, February 11, Friday, February 12, and Saturday February 13. A matinee performance starts at 1 pm on Sunday, February 14.
WIZARD PERFORMERS: [From left] Sydney Spenst, 17, Jeremy Hopper, 17, Catherine Forsythe, 13, Haley Spenst, 14, and [bottom] Payton Anderson-Kelly, nine, are among the young actors starring in Musical Theatre Kids’ upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Festival honours young filmmakers Five-minute film contest brings winners from across province MEL EDGAR mel@prpeak.com
For almost 10 years, young filmmakers have been impressing a Powell River Film Festival juror with keen insights into the teenage mind, and an occasional
glimpse of extraordinary vision. As part of the festival, filmmakers under 19 years of age are invited to submit digital offerings to the 5-Minute Film Contest. “I see a lot of teen angst, raw comedy and the occasional music video,” said contest juror George Johnson, “but sometimes there’s one that’s different or does things a little better.” A filmmaker with a background in documentary filmmaking with National
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Film Board of Canada, Johnson said although contest submissions tend to fall into the same categories each year, there is occasionally one that stands out. “As a filmmaker, I like seeing people experiment and try something different,” he said. “There are some good, young filmmakers.” This year’s contest winner, Senescence, filmed by a group from Langley Fine Arts School, was immediately recognized by Johnson
as being one of those unique films. “I saw it and knew this one was just doing something different,” he said. “I knew my feeling was correct when I saw the other juror, who is not a filmmaker, saw it too.” Senescence, along with a selection of other contestwinning pieces, will be shown at the festival. In addition to exposing the winners’ work to additional critical eyes, the festival also gives young artists the opportunity to attend
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the event at the invitation of Rotary Club of Powell River. The winners are invited to attend the festival’s Adventures in Film Camp at a reduced rate. “There aren’t many places where kids can submit films and get critiques,” said Johnson. “I am glad this festival has this contest, as I am sure it has made the difference to these young people over the years.” This year’s other winners are: second place, Proud Daughter (documentary);
third place, Kim and Karl’s Kung Fu Kicksplosion (comedy); and fourth place, In Time (music video). Honourable mention went to Work on Words (public service announcement/ message) and Sky’s the Limit (comedy). Several five-minute films will be shown before the 7 pm film festival feature screening of The Amina Profile on Friday, February 19, and again at festival’s 15th anniversary party on Saturday, February 20.