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OKTC STAGE DOOR NEWSLETTER
May 2016
Editor: Kerry Hishon
[email protected]
Welcome to OKTC’s 25th Anniversary!
Celebrating 25 Years of Amazing Youth Theatre!
May is going to be a busy month at OKTC! We’ve got four magnificent musicals performing this
month, and we know they are going to be surefire hits!
We open May with the Canadian musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone, performing May 5-8.
When the houselights go down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favourite
record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. Mix in two lovers, a bumbling best man, a
desperate producer, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an
intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight!
If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and The Pea,” think again! G2K Once Upon A
Mattress comes to the Spriet stage May 12-15. Did you know that Princess Winnifred actually
swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that it may not have been the pea at all
that caused the princess a sleepless night? Chances are, you'll never look at fairy tales quite the
same way again.
Come spend Victoria Day weekend aboard the S.S. Spriet Family Theatre with Anything Goes
(Young Performers’ Edition), playing May 19-22. This brand new adaptation is a wacky story
told at sea, wrapped around Cole Porter’s magical scores. Featuring terrific numbers like “It’s
De-Lovely,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “You’re The Top” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” this musical
classic is one you won’t want to miss.
We close May with an adventure into the jungle with Tarzan, playing May 26-29. Based on
Disney's epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough's "Tarzan of the
Apes," Tarzan features heart-pumping music by rock legend Phil Collins. High-flying excitement
and hits like the Academy Award winning "You'll Be in My Heart" as well as "Son of Man" and
"Two Worlds" make Tarzan an unforgettable theatrical experience.
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And we can’t forget our annual Grad Gala and Season Celebration, coming up on Monday May
30 at Althouse College. More details will be coming soon for this special event, but we wanted
to make sure you’ve got it written down on your calendar!
We’ve got lots more to share with you, so read on for more!
OKTC Profile Series
May’s OKTC Alum: Adrienne Borrie
Career Field
Favourite OKTC Show
PhD Student in Clinical
Pharmacology
The See Saw Tree
Current Job and Employer:
I am currently a PhD student in the Clinical Pharmacology
program at the University of Western Ontario. I study cancer
research and my project focuses on how to make
chemotherapy safer and more effective for patients with
breast cancer.
What is your favourite OKTC memory?
My mom, Nancy Borrie, was an active volunteer with Original Kids while my sisters and I were
in the company. She was a phenomenal stage manager. I remember her always being well
prepared for rehearsal with an organized stage manager binder and homemade treats for
everyone. She sewed the loveliest golden gown for me when I was Cinderella in Into The
Woods. I’ll never forget how much care she took in creating costumes and helping out in
whatever way that she could.
How did OKTC impact you to where you are today?
I’m grateful to have had shared the experience of Original Kids with my family. My mom, Nancy,
was stage manager to many Original Kids over the years, and some people may remember her
truly amazing cookies. Dana and Jackie were both such talented girls then and have grown into
even more gifted young women today. My dad and grandparents were always enthusiastic and
supportive audience members.
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What lessons did you take from OKTC that you
feel are still applied in your daily occupation?
A large part of my job as a scientist is translating
the newest research findings to the general
public in a way that isn’t intimidating or too
difficult to understand. I feel that learning to
engage your audience, something that no doubt
began at Original Kids, is an important skill in
the process of knowledge translation.
An OKTC show story
The See Saw Tree was a play that I acted in with my two sisters, Dana and Jackie. My mom,
Nancy, was the stage manager for the show, and Dave Conron, who was one of my favourite
directors, directed it. My grandfather had been a cabinetmaker by trade and he generously
created a tree as part of the set. I’ve always been close to my family and I love them so much,
so this show is the happiest memory for me.
Happy Anniversary and all the best to the Original Kids Theatre Company!
COMING UP NEXT AT OKTC: The Drowsy Chaperone!
Opening this week is the beloved Canadian musical comedy The
Drowsy Chaperone! Playing May 5-8 at the Spriet Family Theatre.
The Drowsy Chaperone is an OKTC revival production – our first
production was presented back in 2011. This year’s production is
led by director Andrew Rethazi-Recchia, musical director Patrick
Bowman, and choreographer Andrea Gittens, and features ten of
our Grade 12 graduates in their final performance at the Spriet
Family Theatre.
Andrew Rethazi-Recchia had this to say: “When The Drowsy Chaperone begins, we meet a man
who escapes from the everyday troubles of his life into the fun and joy of musical theatre. But
when he starts to share his favourite show with us, little do we know that we are also escaping
from our lives into one of the funniest musicals ever to grace the Broadway stage. That's what I
love about this show. It is hysterically funny with a uniquely Canadian sensibility, all the while
taking the audience on the same emotional journey as its protagonist.”
Check out our teaser trailer for The Drowsy Chaperone, available to view on OKTC’s YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_SZVJN6uY. Get your tickets now at www.originalkids.ca or 519679-8989.
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PLAYFEST 2016: CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to the casts, crews, and volunteers of our amazing four Playfest shows - Wizard
School Dropout, The Stinky Cheese Man, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Les BellesSoeurs. Your shows were challenging, hilarious, tragic and inspiring!
We hope you were able to check out these incredible productions and were wowed by the
acting talent of our awesome Original Kids performers.
On Sunday May 1, we held an awards ceremony to wrap up the Playfest event. Here's a listing
of the award winners!
Outstanding Use of An Ensemble: Les Belles-Soeurs
Most Creative Use of a Blackbox Space: The Stinky Cheese Man
Outstanding Use of Tech Theatre Basics: Wizard School Dropout
The Transform Award: Shannon Scott (The Importance of Being Earnest)
The Speak the Speech Award: Nathan Martin (Wizard School Dropout)
The Show, Don't Tell Award: Jack Meadows (The Importance of Being Earnest)
The Chameleon Award: Ryan Hoffer (The Stinky Cheese Man)
The Post-Curtain Award: Hannah Turcotte (Les Belles-Soeurs)
The Singular Sensation Award: Alicia Kupinski (Les Belles-Soeurs)
The It Takes Two Award: Marissa Rasmussen & Katia Innes (The Importance of Being Earnest)
The Make 'Em Laugh Award: the cast of Wizard School Dropout
The Talented Tragedy Award: Alexandra Wilson-Hodge (Les Belles-Soeurs)
Artistic Director's Process Award: The Stinky Cheese Man
MVP Wizard School Dropout: Gwen Dwyer
MVP Stinky Cheese Man: Connor Brophy
MVP Importance of Being Earnest: Quinn Trollope
MVP Les Belles-Soeurs: Alexa Shipman
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COMING UP IN FALL 2016 –
OKTC TAKES TORONTO FOR MATILDA!
Do you know the story behind the little girl on our
Business Office wall...? That's MATILDA! The Tony
Award-winning MATILDA is the story of an
extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life.
Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind,
MATILDA dares to take a stand and change her
own destiny. Rolling Stone calls the show "hands
down the best musical of the season."
Original Kids is proud to offer a special field trip to
see MATILDA this fall! This opportunity is open to
all Original Kids and their family members. We only
have 42 tickets available and this will sell out quickly. MATILDA has been a continued favourite
on our annual New York City trip and everyone who sees it will tell you they love it!
This field trip is on Saturday, October 1, 2016.
The bus leaves the Covent Garden Market at 9:30AM.
The performance begins at 1:30PM.
We will return to London hopefully around 6PM.
Your ticket ($100) includes one seat at the performance and round-trip transportation to and
from Toronto.
To book you and your family's ticket, click here: http://originalkids.ca/trip-to-see-matilda.html
SUMMER FUN GUARANTEED AT
CAMP OK AND KAMP KIDLETS!
If you know a young person (aged 5-7) who loves to sing, dance and act, Original Kidlets just
might be the perfect place for them! Registration for Summer Kamp Kidlets is available on our
website: http://originalkids.ca/kidlets.html. For youth aged 7 and up, Camp OK is the place for
them! Visit www.campok.ca for more details and to register. Don’t delay, spots are filling up
fast!
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OKs IN THE COMMUNITY
At Westerburg High it is a clash of the cliques, with no group more worshipped or feared than the
infamous plastic paragons The Heathers. But what happens when shy and studious Veronica Sawyer
joins up with this group of vapid and vicious trend setters at the top of the high school food chain? Find
out by joining us this May for Musical Theatre Production’s HEATHERS: The Musical, May 6-14th at the
McManus studio theatre. Parents, be advised that this production contains strong language and mature
content.
There are lots of OKTC friends and family involved in this exciting musical coming direct from its OffBroadway run - featuring choreography by OKTC artistic team member Lia Karidas, with performances
by OKTC member Naoimh Sylvester, alumni McKenna Langdon, Noah D'Ascanio and Alicia D’Ariano, and
artistic team member Bethany Radford, and with production work by alumni Natalie Geraci, and staff
members Kerry Hishon and Laura Sepulveda.
Join us on Wednesday May 11th for a special Big Fun 80's Party, featuring 80s dance lessons, a Big Fun
photo booth, and a silent auction with fabulous prizes! Remember to dress in your favourite 80s outfit,
as a cult movie character or hilarious celebrity from the era. Don't miss out!
What’s your damage, London? Are you in, or are you out?
Profile on Kidlets’ Make-up Artist, J. Lyn Cooper
J. Lyn Cooper has been face painting for Kidlets
for the past six years. She has been Clowning
(“Betty Bubbles”) and doing make-up in the
community for 20 years. In the early days, she
did face painting for Original Kids at Storybook
Gardens.
Lyn says, “What I love most about Kidlets is
having the repeat kids and seeing the growth
in the little actors and sharing the excitement
they still have. It captures the sincere joy of
childhood and reminds me to enjoy life.”
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Kidlets Coordinator Karen Hamilton-MacDonald says of Lyn:
“Lyn has a real connection and sensitivity to young children. She listens carefully to the requests
of the children regarding their face creations and strives to accommodate their wishes. One
show day (we were doing a fish themed play and the children were narrators), while most
children were choosing a favourite fish for their faces, one little girl said she’d like a beach on
her face… and that’s just what Lyn gave her. The child beamed as she looked in the mirror at her
ocean view face!”
J. Lyn Cooper’s latest project is promoting mental wellness by sharing her story in the play
“Outside the Box.” Watch for it at venues throughout London. Tickets are available at
http://bit.do/outsidetheboxplay
QUESTIONS? CONCERNS? CONTACT US!
OKTC Office – [email protected] // 519-679-0598
OKTC Box Office – [email protected] // 519-679-8989
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