The ‘magic’ of theatre

Grant Park

Osborne Village

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This article was published 11/12/2024 (586 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Grant Park High School is casting away stereotypes — in more ways than one.

Next month, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be hitting the stage for the first time in Canada. The magical performance will be put on by the Grade 7-to-12 school’s drama program — featuring a 46-person, rotating cast made up students of various ages.

The play was originally published in 2016, written by Jack Thorne and based on an original story by, him, John Tiffany and J.K. Rowling, author of the hugely successful and massively popular Harry Potter series of books. Production rights for high schools were only made available this past August, said Elizabeth Stephenson, Grant Park drama teacher and the director of the school production.

A mother herself, Stephenson said that the play’s themes of parenthood and allowing teens to grow into their own people and create their own paths worked well with the actors, as well as for the potential audience.

“For kids, it’s that idea of really wanting to be seen for who they are and appreciated and loved for who they are, and not feeling like they have to fit into a box or certain expectations that adults might have for them,” Stephenson said.

“The main conflict is the two main characters are the sons of Harry (Potter) and Draco (Malfoy), and they’re best friends,” said Robyn Mallory, who plays Delphi. “They want to fix problems in their past with their parents … basically, they have to figure out how to solve the sins of the past.”

“They love each other, in a sense,” added Aaron Bibiuk-Frost, who plays Harry.

“(The play) is about stereotypes, ” said Anna Solomon, who plays Hermione with Lochlan Beattie. “Which is very interesting.”

That element of breaking stereotypes is not only present onstage but also within the people creating the show, who share the need to stress that it’s not “just another high school play,” a common description, which denigrates the work.

“I tell people about our show, and I can see it in their face,” said Beattie. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Grant Park is known for its theatre program, which is open to kids of all grades and skill levels, according to Elena Wiens, social studies department head at the school. No audition is rejected, with teachers going as far as to create new roles if there aren’t enough.

Because of the longevity of the program and the interest of the students involved, the Harry Potter cast is a self-sustained support network where everyone has a role — literally and figuratively. The group barely fits in the drama room for its weekly rehearsals, but they make it work.

“This program means a lot to me, because I’ve met my greatest friends (here), and I like how it offers a form of escapism,” said Asher Rohne, who plays Scorpius. “Whatever’s going on, it’s something to look forward to.”

“It’s a lot of fun to act,” said Josh Goodman, who plays Albus Potter, Harry’s son. “And it lets you be a person you aren’t, actually … that way you can find a different world, a different perspective, and that’s really fun.”

“Seeing their dedication and their commitment to these characters and the story that they’re telling is the best thing ever,” Stephenson said. “It’s time away from my own kids, but it’s seeing (the cast)’s growth and development and journey as young artists … it’s beautiful.”

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child runs at the Gas Station Arts Centre from Dec. 17 to 20. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18, 18 and 19, while the Dec. 20 show begins at 6 p.m. It is rated as appropriate for children aged 10 and up.

During the intermission, the cast will sell Harry Potter goodies, stickers and pronoun pins in support of the Rainbow Resource Centre.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from Jennifer Tomanek, via email at jtomanek@wsd1.org

At press time, only a limited number of tickets was available.