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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-12-22, Page 37THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011. PAGE 37. ...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Happy Holidays and Safe Driving Tina, Shane, Cal & Ruby Shane, Theresa, Ethan, Owen, Jackson & Logan Bill & Brenda BLYTH 519-523-9474 ~ 1-800-350-6993 We would like to sincerely say, "Thank You" to all our loyal customers and friends for letting us be of service to you the past year. Many times we meet by accident but we are always glad to know you are okay... AUTO BODY & TOWING LTD. Blyth 519-523-4757 Casey Boven and family Continued from page 34somehow every year a play ends upon the stage and all the excitedchildren end up going home with the right parents after they’ve been entertained while off-stage.” She said that, while the concert can be a lot of work, all the staff members are more than happy to get involved. “We have these kids six hours a day,” she said. “We’re just like their parents, we want to see them do well and we want to see them feel successful.”Watt said that the fact that theschool is able to use the BlythFestival’s assistance and put their play on at Memorial Hall is a huge boon. “We’re so fortunate to have the theatre and everything that comes with it, it adds so much depth to all the productions,” she said. “Moving around the stage, getting the props on and off there and getting the kids into the right spots are so much simpler than it would be if we used the stage in the school.”Gole agreed, stating that it reallymeans a lot to the students to get tobe on the Memorial Hall stage. “It’s one of those things that really sticks with the kids,” he said. “All year they see things there, and for their show they get to know how they happen. They get to be behind the stage and see the dressing rooms and everything.” Watt agreed, saying that, for some of the students, this will be the first time they get to see Memorial Hall from any angle except the seats.She said that one of her fondestmemories was a recurring numberthat was held at every annual concert until recently and that it couldn’t have happened anywhere but the memorial hall. “We always used to end with Let there be Peace on Earth and the students would be split up with some on the balcony and some on the stage,” she said. “It was like surround sound and it was how we ended every year.” Eventually, the school began doing more themed shows under the direction of Jane Badham. “Jane brought us all together with one main story or theme,” Gole said. “We’d do things like Christmas around the world, and Santa on Strike.” “She really focused on the more packaged concerts and plays,” Watt said, agreeing with Gole. “It broughtmore of a focus to things.”This year’s play was no differentand was very impressive according to both Watt and Gole. “This year the costumes were just amazing,” Watt said. The school records the concerts for staff and students alike to watch since they’re all so involved in producing the show, and according to Gole, that’s a good thing. “When you’re in play preparation mode, it’s like a whirlwind of things happening around you,” he said. “You never know how things come together, but they do. You look back and say ‘What happened?’.”Brussels play stays classic, features Gr. 3 students Continued from page 36 those grades,” Gillespie said. “I’m actually surprised it stops at the Grade 4/5 class,” Wray said. “Most plays I’ve been involved in have stopped participation in the Christmas concert by Grade 3.” All the speaking parts are done by actors from the Grade 3 class with the other classes backing them up. “Traditionally that has been how the school has done it,” Gillespie said. “We have the Grade 3 students take centre stage and have the other classes focus on doing the music.” Wray, who was responsible for fitting people into the various roles for the play, said that he was fortunate in that most people got the parts they wanted. “We ran through the show a few times with kids trying different lines,” he said. “Half of them got the part they wanted first and the rest got their second or third choices.” He said it was difficult to fit everyone where they wanted to be, and it was often difficult to fit people into parts. He made reference to one scene where there is a father and a son but the heights of the two actors don’t immediately identify them as a different age. “It was difficult to figure out who would be where but not because of trying to have the best person leading or anything like that,” Wray said. “There are a lot of talented students here, it’s a very talented group.” Wray said that he was happy to be able to provide the opportunity for the students to get involved in a play because they might not normally have that chance. Gillespie agreed, stating that there was a lot of talent and that, often, the students would surprise the two. “We had eight kids who wanted to be part of a particular number in the concert, and we had to audition and see who could sing and project their voice and the two we picked really impressed us,” she said. “A lot of kids stepped out of their comfort zone for the play and some surprised us. You expect the very outgoing kids to be great on the stage and then they get all quiet while the kids who are normally quiet just take centre stage and bloom right in front of your eyes.” The students on stage aren’t the only ones that help make the concert a reality, however. “It isn’t just the people on the stage and the people putting on the play,” Gillespie said. “All the students and staff in the school put in a huge effort. It’s a Kindergarten to Grade 4/5 concert in name but, really, it’s a school project.” Wray agreed, stating that everyone had to wear multiple hats to get the job done, including pulling in favours from other schools like having a sound system on loan from Listowel Central Public School. Gillespie explained that, as an example of everyone being involved, Brussels Public School secretary Diana Dolmage played a huge part in preparing for the play by helping to design and acquire many of the props. “She really does a lot to get the plays ready,” Gillespie said. “It wouldn’t happen without her.” 519-523-4825 Dennis Hamm Painting & More Painting, Drywall Taping, Residential & Small Business Minor Repairs No job too small. Wishing everyone in Blyth & Surrounding Area A Merry Christmas Deck The Halls! M e rry Chri stma s Jack & Heather VanDorp For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Memorial Hall plays big part in succesful Blyth plays BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED