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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.