Fairy tales are, by their very nature, meant to be retold over time, each retelling a new opportunity to add in the storyteller's own personality.
Kelly Road secondary school's personality will be all over the KRSS stage next week, as they tell a rebooted version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs of the Black Forest.
This production by the Grade 11-12 drama class is directed by Laura Laverdure in her debut production as drama teacher at the school. But she has been a teacher at other local schools for years and knew a juicy script when she saw this one by June Walker Rogers.
"It's a 'fractured fairy tale' and the kids love them," said Laverdure. "There are some neat new twists on the old script, some new characters, and some twists on the old characters, but it's mostly the same. And it has some sarcasm, which the kids of course really like. So do I."
It's the kind of script that gives a lot of actors a chance for some stage time, which is always important in a school with the strong drama foundation that KRSS has. For decades it has been a school that puts a lot of value and appreciation on the work done by its theatre students, which is one of the reasons Laverdure was so excited to join the team.
"They are very passionate about theatre," she said. "A lot of them have been in drama together since Grade 8. They have a sense of humour and they like to show it, and they're adding that to their characters. We have exchange students from other countries, a lot of homegrown kids who have grown up together, and they all want to make this experience special because they know it's their last big thing together. They are a little family."
She credits former KRSS drama teacher Audrey Rowell, now at College Heights secondary school, with nurturing the theatre spirit there. She had 25 students to work with at the stagecraft, plus two others keenly interested in the technical theatre trades.
"They have really taken leadership roles doing lights and sound, so it's good experience for everybody to see the play develop in all aspects, with their own work," Laverdure said.
The students also set up the Facebook event page and are involved in other forms of marketing the show, which is also a part of the theatre practice, said Laverdure. It's an art and it's a business at the same time. It is also lifelong creative expression and entertainment, so the younger grades are just as important to future KRSS success as the Grade 11-12 cohort.
"We have Grade 8, 9 and 10 classes too and they are all full, so we have to work hard to keep their level of enjoyment high," Laverdure said. "There is planning for the future involved in what I do, so the actors and technical students are always looking forward to what's next. Theatre is such a great skill and experience to have, no matter what you go on to do in your life."
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs of the Black Forest is a family-friendly production.
Elementary classes from KRSS's feeder schools will get a chance to see the show, and the public has three evening performances available Dec. 2-4 at the school's auditorium.
"Bring your friends to this charming classic comedy with all of your favorite characters from the original Brother's Grimm fairy tale, and some new friends to add to the fun," said the students' publicity statement about the show.
Tickets are $2 for children under 12, $7 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults.
Showtime is 7 p.m. plus there are matines at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 4.
