The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild’s (GWTG) annual youth production is Cursed!
That’s not to say it’s going poorly. Cursed! is actually the name of the guild’s fifth annual summer production staged using only youth actors. And, name aside, it’s coming together pretty well.
This year’s show is directed by the team of Peggy Raftis, Megan Raftis and Dan Bieman. It’s also the fourth play written by Megan, specifically for the GWTG youth production. The 2013 show, The Adventures of Bibblebunnyboo and Mikamukamoo allowed over 20 young actors and actresses to learn about stagecraft and experience the thrill of live theatre. The goal is to provide a theatrical experience for as many as possible, and it’s an experience they seem to appreciate, theatre officials note.
Cursed! features a cast of 17 local youth actors between the ages of 7 and 17.
“The kids really seem to enjoy going through the whole process of putting a show together, auditions, rehearsals, performing for an audience. They really respond well to the challenge,” notes Peggy.
Audiences for the shows have continued to grow, with over 300 people taking in the summer show in 2013.
While the main goal is creating a play that’s fun for kids to be involved in, Megan says the show will appeal to audiences of all ages and describes the story as a fractured fairy tale, loosely based on the character who becomes The Pied Piper.
“It’s an imagining of how a character like that, who mysteriously appears to whisk away pests and children, could come to be – an exploration of the circumstances that might have created him,” she explained.
In addition to giving young actors the chance to shine on stage, the youth company shows also provide an ideal opportunity for parents or grandparents to introduce children to theatre by bringing them to the production.
“Often the kids we see in the audience will show up the next year at auditions,” Peggy points out.
Cursed! will be staged July 25 and 26 at 7:30pm and July 27 at 2pm at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre.
Tickets are $5 and available at the door or from cast members. For information, call 519-338-3681.
