Student Talent Shines On and Off Stage
Three dramatic productions took place at Crescent this spring, engaging dozens of Crescent student actors, musicians, technicians, prop designers, and more.
Upper School students staged Biloxi Blues, a story set in World War II about a naive army recruit and his platoon in Biloxi, Mississippi.
“We were blown away by the grit, determination and unwavering commitment demonstrated by their entire platoon of exceedingly talented senior students,” says director and Head of Arts Godric Latimer-Kim. The production featured Grade 11 and 12 thespians with two Grade 12 students from Havergal College. Retired Crescent drama teacher Aldonna Stremecki, guidance and university counsellor Kathy Porteous, and Lower School drama teacher Jen Johnson directed the play as a team with Latimer-Kim. After overcoming scheduling issues, their production went ahead on June 14 and 15.
Coyote Night Live 4: HACK TO THE FUTURE, an original sketch comedy show written by students in the Middle School, tells the story of a Middle School robotics team trapped in the Metaverse. In order to escape, they must take down a group of evil technocrats. The performance featured lip-synching, dance numbers, and “some actual singing,” according to director and Middle School drama teacher Tim Evans.
Ryan Scarlett ’22 provided technical support on the sound system and lighting for both productions. “Ryan was instrumental in ensuring that the Middle School could put on a show this year,” says Evans.
“I love technical theatre and the amazing people I get to work with,” says Scarlett, who began participating in Crescent’s dramatic productions in 2015 and graduated in June. “As the stage manager, I am proud of the team that I have trained to take over the technical theatre department for the future.”
Lower School drama teacher and director Jen Johnson used local ravine wildlife as her inspiration for The Clever Coyote. It tells the story of a family of coyotes and their animal friends as they fight to survive a group of vengeful, gluttonous farmers. The cast of 34 Grade 6 boys acted, sang, and danced joyfully in the ravine behind the school. They performed the play four times, including two shows for the Lower School that included Q&A sessions.
“It was amazing to see the younger students so engaged in our story,” says Johnson. “They asked such thoughtful questions of the actors about the plot, characters, costumes, props, and other dramatic devices.”
