The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild (GWTG) is once again turning the stage over to their young company for the summer – and this time, there’s no telling how things will end.
An Ending for Edna is the title of this year’s production, set to hit the stage in late July.
The play is the third production staged using only youth actors, directed by the mother/ daughter team of Peggy and Megan Raftis. It’s also the second play written by Megan, specifically for the GWTG youth production.
The 2011 production of Amy May Runs Away allowed 24 young actors and actresses to learn about stagecraft and experience the thrill of live theatre.
The production drew the largest turnout for auditions yet.
“Interest has been growing every year,” notes Peggy Raftis, president of the GWTG and a veteran director and actress. “This year we had 32 young people try out for parts.”
The continued growth is one of the reasons Megan writes the plays for large casts, as the goal is to provide a theatrical experience for as many actors as possible.
Keeping participation levels high is also one of the reasons the guild stays away from musical productions for its summer youth shows.
“Usually major musicals are the only type of show where we have opportunities for youth performers in our regular productions. Not everyone is comfortable singing on stage, but most kids love to act when given the chance,” Peggy notes.
Rehearsals for the production began twice weekly in May. By the time the show hits the stage, the group will have a true sense of what it takes to stage a live play.
Production values for the youth shows are comparable to regular productions in terms of set design and costuming and the actors, regardless of age or experience, must know their lines and hit their marks.
The guild keeps the admission cost to a family-friendly $5 per person and the shows have drawn well, with more than 300 patrons taking in Amy Runs Away in 2011.
An Ending for Edna is a comedy, set in the reading room of a library, involving the adventures of a cast of characters, some of whom spring to life from the pages of children’s books, as they attempt to find an appropriate ending for the story of Edna, a pseudo librarian with an unfortunate alias.
“This play, more than anything else, is fun,” said Peggy. “We focus on making theatre a good experience for everyone involved, and the kids are already getting into it, putting characterization into their parts, memorizing lines.
“They’re doing extremely well, especially given the fact that they’re so young and mostly inexperienced, and I think that’s due to the fact that they’re enjoying themselves onstage.
“The great part about that, is that when the actors are clearly having a good time on stage, it makes the play fun for the audience as well.”
The cast for the show is made up of youth ranging in age from six to 17 years.
Performances of An Ending for Edna will be staged at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre, July 27 and 28 at 7:30pm, and July 29 at 2pm.
Tickets, are $5, available at Harriston Home Hardware and at the door on performance dates.
For information call 519-338-3681.
