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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-12-13, Page 23Blyth area’s Shannon Scott continues to make her mark on Huron County drama, this time with a play in Goderich. Scott is directing the classic, Little Women, at the Livery Theatre, with shows running from Dec. 7 through to Dec. 15. She says this is the biggest production that she has directed to date, and that it’s always a big deal when you direct a play at the Livery. “It’s definitely an honour to be doing this show here,” she said. “I don’t feel any pressure though, it’s more like excitement. The production crew has been great and the actors have been fantastic, so both of those things make my job really easy.” Scott says this is the first time she has worked with a production crew. This frees up a lot of her time to focus on directing the actors, rather than working on the lighting, sets, props or costumes. Scott is working with a cast that might seem like a challenge for a young lady like herself, a cast of four adults, all older than her, and five children, all younger, but she says they are so dedicated to the project that there are no problems at all. She says that she has had no problems earning the respect of her elder co-workers, even though this is the first time she’s directing adults, and she already has extensive experience working with children. Scott has four years under her belt with the Serious FUN! Studio, which she founded that focuses on honing the acting skills of local young talent. Scott spent just over a month this summer with a group of 10 students, teaching them all kinds of skills and is still working with them right now. The program spilled over past the allotted 37 days when the group’s production, What’s Life Got To Do With A Bottle Of Ketchup? was accepted into the London Fringe Festival with an on- stage date in the first week of August, 2008. Even with Scott spending most of her time on Little Women recently, August may seem like a long time away, but Scott is hoping to keep some time free for some of her own acting work in the middle somewhere. Scott has been browsing productions from London to Toronto and everywhere in between, including locally, for acting work, but she says that all of these side-projects haven’t affected her focus on Little Women. Her roots in this project extend back to Blyth, where she met the man who mentored her through her first big directing job. Years ago, when Scott was in the Blyth Festival’s Young Company, she met a young man named Jeff Armour, and subsequently, his father, David Armour. After keeping in touch with Armour over the years, Scott received a call in August regarding a time slot at the Livery that he had recommended her for. Scott accepted the project and settled on Little Women as an appropriate project as both a classic story to honour the Livery’s 60th season and a perfect seasonal tale just in time for Christmas. After her idea received approval from the theatre board, Scott proceeded with casting and production, all while Armour mentored the project. “David was my mentor on Little Women. So I directed the play on my own, but when things came up, I was able to call him and have him lend a hand,” she said. Scott said she was overwhelmed with the auditions that saw 20 little girls come out for the five parts that were cast. She then worked through a 10- week rehearsal period, that she called “a little shorter than standard” saying that most community plays usually work off a 12-week rehearsal period. And after a final dress rehearsal last Thursday, they opened for business on Dec. 7. Little Women, the classic story adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s novel, is the story of the March sisters who struggle against poverty in the time of the American civil war. The play begins on Christmas and ends just one year later. While Scott is committed to telling the story as it is written, she said that she has infused some music into the show and has different takes on some scenes as well. Tickets to the production are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $15 for students. Remaining shows can be seen on Dec. 13, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. The box office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets can also be reserved by calling (519) 524- 6262. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2007. PAGE 23.Entertainment Leisure&Local woman brings ‘Little Women’ to life on stage Little Women, big aspirations The classic Christmas tale, Little Women, opened at Goderich’s Livery Theatre last week and continues through Dec. 15. The show marks Blyth area’s Shannon Scott’s biggest project to date and a fantastic addition to the Livery’s 60th season and a perfect play for this time of year. From left: Sadie Chalmers of Blyth, Lisa Miller, Scott and Regan Bezaire. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Brunch Buffet Sunday, December 23 Stickers Family Restaurant Auburn 519-526-7759 $725 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Children 10 & under 1/2 price) December 23 Blyth Rd., Auburn 519-526-7759 NOW LICENSED UNDER LIQUOR LICENCE ACT OF ONTARIO Stickers Family Restaurant Monday - 6:30 - 4:00; Tuesday & Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00; Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6:30 - 9:00; Sunday 9:00 - 7:00 Saturday, December 15 Chicken Wings & Fries 5 pm - 9 pm Friday Smorg. ~ 5 pm - 8 pm Sunday Smorg. ~ 4 - 7 pm Happy 30th Pearl Anniversary December 17 Granny Annie & Poppa Joe Love your little girls and your big kids too (Oh ~ Happy Birthday Uncle Barney December 17) Wingham Knights of Columbus 4th Annual Elimination Draw Silent Auction & Buffet Lunch $5000.00 Redeemable Voucher or $4,000.00 Cash ~ Last Ticket Drawn ~ Draw Date: Saturday, April 19, 2008 • 10 Early Bird Draws • 4 Draws on New Year’s Eve • 2 Draws at each of our Fish Fry dates in Jan., Feb. & Mar. Each Ticket includes admission for one ~ to draw, dance, late evening buffet & silent auction. All proceeds for Community Betterment Tickets: $20.00 ea. or 3 for $50.00 Lic. # M525676 Tickets available by calling Henk 519-887-9810 Columbus Centre - Wingham - 519-357-1270 or Bill 519-523-9110 65th Wedding Anniversary 1942 ~ December 23 ~ 2007 We their children thank and praise God for His faithfulness to our parents WW oo bb bb ee aa nn dd PP ii ee tt jj ii ee BB yy ll ss mm aa for 65 years of marriage. From your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Congratulations and love By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen