Students at Walnut Grove Secondary School are making headlines with their upcoming production of Disney鈥檚 Newsies: The Musical.
It鈥檚 1899, and the 鈥榥ewsies鈥� of New York City 鈥� the young boys who sell the newspaper 鈥� go on strike after publisher Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper distribution prices, which makes it harder for the boys to earn money.
鈥淚t was child labour, it was not a good time, and the kids revolted and stood up to the newspaper boss and said 鈥榳e鈥檙e not going to work for nothing,鈥� It鈥檚 based on a true story,鈥� explained WGSS theatre director Danielle Meshen.
Grade 12 student Nina Egi takes the lead role of a reporter named Katherine, who writes about the newsboys鈥� strike in the paper, and fosters a relationship with strike leader Jack.
鈥淚 like the feeling of family in the show. We have a big feeling here [in musical theatre] as family. It鈥檚 all about forming a union, standing together, and standing up for what you believe in. That鈥檚 definitely something I love about it [the show],鈥� said Egi.
And the feeling of 鈥榝amily鈥� is especially important for Egi, as she was new to the school in Grade 8, after her family moved to 91原创 from Winnipeg, Man.
鈥淲hen I joined theatre in Grade 9, I made so many more friends than I did in Grade 8. When I saw musical theatre I thought 鈥榯his is definitely something for me.鈥� I joined, and honestly I can say I made all my best friends from this class.鈥�
And the theatre teachers are just as supportive as fellow students, according to Egi.
鈥淭he teachers are amazing. They鈥檙e extremely supportive. I have scoliosis so they鈥檝e always been very careful about my dancing or the type of shoes I wear. There鈥檚 no judging. Everyone is just here as a friend. It鈥檚 definitely a family more than just classmates.鈥�
After she graduates in June, Egi said she wants to pursue sciences as a career, and continue with theatre as a hobby.
Grade 9 student Sarah Hong is also on stage in Newsies, and it鈥檚 her first year in the musical theatre class.
鈥淚 wanted to join theatre because I like the excitement when I鈥檓 on stage and you鈥檙e dancing with people and have all these people by your side. And when the audience claps for you 鈥� it鈥檚 like a thrill. It鈥檚 a really fun feeling.鈥�
Hong plays a character named Albert, and said he鈥檚 鈥渁lways bringing something out in every situation,鈥� and 鈥渓ikes to laugh a lot.鈥�
Since it鈥檚 her first time in a WGSS production, Hong admitted she was nervous before trying out.
鈥淪inging was never my thing. I never sang in my life. So this year when there were auditions it was very nerve-wracking but I practised and practised and got it.鈥�
Hong added she chose theatre to 鈥渢ry something new鈥� and plans to continue with it.
According to Meshen, about 100 students are part of the production of Newsies.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a role for everyone. We鈥檙e very inclusive, we have students from every walk of life, every ability, and everyone gets a part. I鈥檝e been here for three years now, and it鈥檚 amazing to see some of the students who have suffered from anxiety and things like that, come alive over the past three years.鈥�
Newsies runs from Thursday, April 4 to 6, and Thursday, April 11 to 13 at the Walnut Grove Secondary School theatre.
Performances start at 7 p.m., with a special matinee performance on April 13 at 2 p.m.
Dinner and theatre performances are also offered on April 4 and 11, with a buffet dinner seating between 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by the performance.
Tickets for the regular show cost $15 for adults, and $12 for students and seniors
Tickets for the dinner theatre cost $30 for adults, and $25 for students and seniors.
To purchase tickets, visit
