91原创鈥檚 Professional Live Arts for Youth (PLAY) Society will now open its doors to the public for the time since its launch in 2014.
Young people who perform with the non-profit theatre society will stage a musical comedy, Shrek the Musical Jr. 鈥� a story of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others.
鈥淪hrek鈥檚 unique story of discovery encourages each of us to examine our prejudices, review what we believe to be our limitations and work to better understand ourselves and others,鈥� said Brad Tones, founder and executive director of PLAY Society.
The iconic character Shrek will take the stage alongside princess Fiona, antagonist Lord Farquaad, Donkey, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, and many other fairy tale characters. The cast is comprised of 18 youth, eight of whom are from 91原创. Tones shared that a total of 17 people worked behind the scenes to bring the play to the stage.
鈥�Shrek the Musical Jr. is an opportunity for all youth regardless of their background to have a chance to perform at a professional stage in front of public,鈥� he said.
91原创 resident and play director Fiorella Artoni shared that the show reflects inclusivity and encourages people to be proud of their origins.
鈥淚 am beyond grateful to have been given the chance to direct this funky musical,鈥� Artoni said. 鈥淚t has been a magical experience bringing my vision to life with the help of my amazing students. We can鈥檛 wait to have you waving your freak flag with us in PLAY society鈥檚 production of Shrek Jr.鈥�
The 91原创-based society was started eight years ago, and though the participants have presented multiple times in the past, the shows were not open for the public but limited to friends and family of performers. Tones shared that his team spent six years training the kids and getting them ready to perform a professional musical show.
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鈥淭his show is the culmination of the last six years of building our reputation,鈥� he said.
All teenagers are enrolled in different high schools, but spend their weekends and summer holidays learning theatre.
Calla Trudeau, a longtime PLAY student who plays the role of Donkey, said that she loves how the story encourages everyone to accept diversity of all kinds.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to hide your true self and you get to express yourself,鈥� said Trudeau, who was recently hired by the society as a teaching assistant.
91原创鈥檚 Railee Yeager said that the play is fulfilling her dream. Elise, who plays Princess Fiona, said that the play has some sad parts, but it is also filled with comedy.
Tones, who is also the show鈥檚 producer, founded the society after his idea to provide affordable arts education programs to youth across B.C. was appreciated by Debra Hinksman through a $2,50,000 fund. Hinksman funded the project through Barbara Howard Student Arts Fund and offered Tones the money she received after selling her church in New Westminster.
The fund was named after one of the last members of the church, Barbara Howard, who was also the first person of colour to ever compete for Team Canada on an international athletics stage. In 1938, at the age of 17, she ran a 100-metre dash in 11 seconds. Howard was also the first one from the minority communities hired by the Vancouver school district.
鈥淪he is one of the coolest woman I have ever met,鈥� Tones said about Howard.
The funding applications were opened for people worldwide, but Tones鈥� answer to 鈥榳hat would you do to change the world for children won the Hinksman鈥檚 heart. Along with a friend, Tones pitched the idea to allow kids to explore theatre regardless of their financial situation.
Soon after, the PLAY Society was created to offer theatre classes at $5 an hour. There is also a scholarship program to help cover that cost for families in need.
The money obtained through the fund covered Tones and his team for the first three years. Currently, the society receives grants from multiple programs like the B.C. Gaming Grant and many others. Tones started teaching kids in 2002, and he said he 鈥渁bsolutely loves鈥� his job.
鈥淢aking the theatre fun is something that I have passion for,鈥� he said.
Shrek, the Musical Jr., is the society鈥檚 first 鈥渂ig鈥� professional production.
PLAY offers classes all year long, but Tones shared that summer is a 鈥渂ig time鈥� as the society has organized camps and classes.
The society will present Shrek the Musical Jr. on March 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chief Sepass Theatre at 9096 Trattle St., Fort 91原创. All tickets are $20 and may be purchased at playsociety.ca.
For more information, people can email at info@playsociety.ca or call at 604-768-6597.
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