High school musical
High school’s latest musical, a Disney favourite, to be staged April 12-15
Bluefield High School’s latest musical, Disney’s “Camp Rock” will be presented April 12 to 15.
Ella Conway admits she was afraid her older brother, Zach, might get a part in Bluefield High School’s upcoming musical and she might not make the cut.
After all, Zach only agreed to try out when he was in the drama room waiting for her to finish her audition.
“I was the one who always wanted to be in (the musical) and he wasn’t, so it was a bit of competition,” Ella said. “He kind of makes fun of me for being into them.”
But the competition ended in a draw, as both brother and sister will be appearing on stage April 12 to 14 in the stage adaptation of “Disney’s Camp Rock: The Musical.”
Zach is now happy he auditioned.
“I think I would have regretted it more if I didn’t.
“These people are my family now.”
Olivia Phillips, who is playing the lead role in the production, echoed Zach’s sentiments.
“When you join a musical, you really become a family.” Olivia says she hopes to maintain the friendships she has developed throughout this experience.
The Grade 10 student says she was lucky to score a lead role, since those parts usually go to older students.
She says she was running around with her friends during a basketball game when she found out the cast had been posted.
She hurried to see for herself.
Her eyes started from the bottom of the page and slowly went up, up and up, until she was at the very top where her name was printed next the lead role.
She says she freaked out, and so did her friends. The actor for the lead male role, Sammy MacLean, says he had to keep his excitement to
himself. He was sitting in class doing a test when he got a text message saying he got the lead.
The Conway siblings, Olivia and Sammy are brand new to the production.
In fact, no students from previous Bluefield musicals appear in this year’s cast. Director Stacey Bondt and choreographer/vocal director Morgan Wagner say they are thrilled by the work the cast has been putting into getting ready for the production. Wagner thought she was going to simplify the dances this year for the inexperienced cast, but “I didn’t at all.”
The students have worked hard to get the choreography down.
“They have been practising between rehearsals and I am very thankful,” Wagner said. The cast may be young, but the musical itself should appeal to all audiences, said Bondt.
Audiences can expect music, dancing and a roster of colourful characters, said Wagner.
“It is just lighthearted and fun,” said Bondt. “It’s high school.”