“It’s fairly new back at Acadia,” Scobie, who is the Grade 8 English language arts and Grade 9 drama teacher at Acadia, said. “We’re trying to build our drama program again.”<\/p>\n According to assistant director Mavis Ritchie, Acadia Junior High had a strong tradition of musical theatre in the past but due to changing demographics and interests, the school stopped staging productions.<\/p>\n However, a renewed enthusiasm in the arts has set the scene for a revival of the theatre program.<\/p>\n “I think the focus of the school has changed a little bit. We’re very much a multicultural school,” Ritchie said. “Acadia is the sort of school that takes a look at the demographics of the students attending and tries to meet needs. I think the administration realized in the past two years that we would like to pursue more of the performing arts than we have in the past 10 years.<\/p>\n “We’re getting a lot of students who like to sing and dance, so we’re pursuing that as well.”<\/p>\n About 30 students are part of the cast and between 15 and 20 are handling the behind-the-scenes work, Scobie said.<\/p>\n Starring as Annie is Grade 8 student Amanthi Ambagala. This is the first time Ambagala has taken on the lead role in a theatre production but is looking forward to the challenge of being in the spotlight.<\/p>\n “It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but I feel like everyone in the cast really makes me feel like I can do it. It’s a lot of fun,” she said. <\/p>\n Ambagala is very enthusiastic about the role, Ritchie said, and embodies the tenacity of Annie’s character effortlessly.<\/p>\n “She brings to her role a lot of enthusiasm and she’s got a great smile, which is a characteristic that Annie has. Amanthi is just a very natural person that way. She always has a smile on her face and is optimistic.”<\/p>\n Acadia’s rendition of Annie <\/em>is putting a twist on the old Depression-era classic, Scobie noted. Ambagala will not be donning a bright red curly wig that typically defined Annie’s character.<\/p>\n “Because we have such a diverse school, it doesn’t look anything like the original Annie <\/em>does, and that’s what we love about it,” Scobie said. “When I started putting up posters around the school… I never had any of the posters include the original redheaded, freckled Annie, because I didn’t want to deter any of our students from auditioning from it.”<\/p>\n Playing the role of con artist and villain Rooster is Demmy Oni, a Grade 8 student who recently moved to Canada from Nigeria. Oni said he auditioned for the show as a way to get involved with the school community but the experience has brought out a passion for musical theatre.<\/p>\n “I realized that it’s fun being around friends and being able to do what I like,” he said. “I feel great about the production.”<\/p>\n Grade 9 student Gelian Fernandez is Oni’s partner in crime, playing the role of Lily St. Regis. After a junior high career without an opportunity to act in a musical, Fernandez said she was eager to give it a shot.<\/p>\n “I’ve always wanted to act in a musical because first of all I love musicals in general — I love watching Les Miserables<\/em>, and I love Annie<\/em>, so I knew that I wanted to try out for any role because I feel like I haven’t participated much in this type of activity,” Fernandez said.<\/p>\n Annie <\/em>runs 75 minutes with an intermission and tickets are $5 at the door or through the school office.<\/p>\n Performances are as follows: May 10 at 1:30 and 7 p.m., May 11 at 7 p.m., and May 12 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Facebook.com\/TheSouwesterWPG<\/a>
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