Off to the Shaw
By Greg MacPherson
For the third year running, the cast and crew of the Fall Play participated in a two day residency program at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This program allows students interested in the dramatic arts to not only see theatre as members of the audience, but also to learn about how theatre works backstage, from the rehearsal process with actors, to all things technical with members of the Shaw technical team. As Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell likes to say, the performance on the stage is only the tip of the iceberg. The other 90% of a successful production is below the surface of the water and is never seen by the audience. The Shaw-Lakefield Experience allows students to go below the surface. Over the course of the two day residency, students saw three Shaw productions – Lady Windermere’s Fan, Guys and Dolls, and Light in the Piazza. Before and after each performance, students met with members of the production for a question and answer session. In each case, lively discussion ensued, whether it be the musical choices of the director for Lady Windermere’s Fan or thrill of performing in the intimate Court House theatre.
In addition to attending performances, students also participated in two workshops geared toward our own upcoming fall production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. One workshop focussed on costume design and production while the other focused on learning to speak with a Brooklyn accent.
Perhaps the highlight of each trip to Shaw is the opportunity to meet members of the acting ensemble over lunches and at an evening reception. Actors such as Lakefield College School alumnus Patrick McManus ’88 take the opportunity to discuss with our students their lives as working actors and as members of the Shaw Festival community.
As an extension to the trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, two members of the Shaw team – one actor and one designer – will spend two days at the end of October at the school working with the cast and crew on the fall play. Director Greg MacPherson and Assistant Director Jordan Muise ’08 see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity for high school students to see how a professional theatrical production is put together.
Note: Brighton Beach Memoirs will be performed November 27-30 in the Bryan Jones Theatre.
School Information
4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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