Sault students thrilled to be able to return to the stage
After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, White Pines Collegiate in the Sault is again taking to the stage.
The high school is in preparations for a production of ‘The Wedding Singer,’ based on the 1998 Adam Sandler movie.
Director Hollie Filice said with 50 students involved, both on stage and behind the scenes, it’s clear students are excited about the return of theatre.
“It’s a really great opportunity for students to get involved and make connections with each other, which was really lacking during the pandemic,” Filice said.
The two-year gap means this is the first opportunity for many of the kids to take part in a play.
Grade 11 student Gabriel Fournier is one of those students.
His stage debut comes in the lead role of Robbie Hart, played by Sandler in the film.
“I just like being on the stage in front of people,” Fournier said.
“It’s just a great feeling stepping into another character. (It’s) just amazing.”
Students went through unique preparation for the show. To match the play's timeline, they learned 1980s-era hairstyles at Sault College.
They also took part in vocal practice at the Hiawatha Highlands said Filice.
“When we take students out of the building and we give them those authentic learning experiences,” he said.
“Whether it’s, ‘we’re going to do fun games at Hiawatha and you’re going to actually talk to each other without masks on and do silly little games and learn about each other,’ it just makes the learning experience that much more special.”
The first performances in front of a live audience came recently for the crew, as students from Grade 8 got a sneak peek of the production.
Dominic Albury, who plays Glenn Guglia, said he felt good about his first time performing in front of a crowd.
“It’s really cool to actually see a bunch of people actually sitting in the audience,” Albury said.
“It’s all coming together.”
White Pines Collegiate's production of ‘The Wedding Singer’ runs Dec. 8-10.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.