HARRISTON – The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild (GWTG) 2024 summer youth production is fresh take on a well-loved medieval-era tale that features a lively cast of budding actors.
Steal the Rich, set to hit the Harriston Town Hall Theatre stage later this month, is a homegrown production written by Megan Raftis, who is co-directing the show with fellow guild members Peggy Raftis and Dan Bieman. Sadie Bieman is the stage manager.
Steal the Rich features actors aged six to 18 and a storyline that follows the children of Robin Hood and Maid Marian and their next-generation adventures in Sherwood Forest.
“The idea of a younger generation of familiar characters seemed like a good fit for our group this year,” Raftis states.
“Not only is the Summer Youth program focused on growing the next generation of our theatre, we’ve been running long enough that the kids involved now are almost a new generation from the ones who started out. “
She added, “Two of our actors, Blair Cowan and Abby Rogers, are aging out of the program this year after being involved since 2015. Our stage manager this year, Sadie Bieman, acted in 10 shows before joining the production team.”
Raftis said, “We’ve got a fantastic group of young actors this year, and they’re set to deliver a very fun show … It’s a big cast of 27, but they’re working together fantastically and I’m excited to see the outcome of all their hard work.”
The play features an all-youth cast from the Harriston, Palmerston, Clifford and Listowel areas, with varying levels of stage experience.
While the main goal is creating a play that’s fun for young people to be involved in, the youth theatre program is designed to give young people the chance to experience live theatre. The youth company shows also provide an ideal opportunity for parents or grandparents to introduce children to theatre by bringing them to watch the production.
Steal the Rich runs July 26 and 27 at 7:30pm and July 28 at 2pm. Tickets, available at the door, are $5. For information visit greywellingtontheatre.com or email GWTG@wightman.ca.
