REDVERS - The Redvers School welcomed the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) production of Hercules to town for a busy and fun-filled week from Dec. 2-7.
The MCT team of Audra Tibbit and Austin Plunkett arrived in town in their little red truck, loaded with a set, costumes, props and everything it takes to put on a play except the cast. The team held an open audition Dec. 2 and cast over 45 local students to perform or assist in the production.
Rehearsals were held throughout the week with two public performances Dec. 7 at the Redvers School gymnasium.
It was a busy week with rehearsals creating a buzz after school daily. In addition, the fun crossed into school hours as the MCT tour directors also led several workshops during their Redvers residency.
The Hercules production focused on the Olympic Games, with competitors from all over Greece competing. But the tournament could not start without Hercules. Unfortunately, Hercules had a well-earned reputation for being late.
The Mighty Titans expect to win at the Games, but not without some dishonest competition from the Cyclops – all three of them. Add all your favourite Greek heroes, more Olympians, social media influencers, a misplaced Roman and a lion, and things get a bit crazy for Zeus and these Olympics.
The cast and crew featured local students from Redvers, Bellegarde and Manor. The title character of Hercules was played by Nikita Buydens, while other featured performers included Ainsley Cowan as Androcles; Asia Jorgensen as Socrates; Kaycee Demas as Aristotle; Kourtney Mirandilla as Zeus; Rylee Garnier as Hera; Tatum Hoey as Helen of Troy; Mckenna Richards-Moffatt as Pegasus; Eve Marsh as Archimedes; Nazryn Sabino as Homer; and Talaya Dangstorp as Lion.
The Cyclops were Max Lamotte, Carter Hildebrandt and Josiah Marsh. The influencers were played by Emily Englot, Charleigh Fidierchuk, Harlow Gervais, Emma Hutton, Feline Jurista, Elsie McIntyre, Olivia Pirlot, Whitney Purvis, Hayden Smith and Sasha Toms.
The Olympians featured Abby Ayre, Brandy Englot, Aubree Garnier, Lauren Hannah, Dawson James, Eithan James-Poirier, Kenna Gervais, Oliver Kyle and Bailey Richards. The roles of the Titans were played by Madison Birch, Brooklyn Hannah, Sophie Hutton, Emily Knelsen, Holly Matthewson, Iszack McCurry, Emma McIntyre, Grace Munro, Brylee Oakley and Emma-Lee Sakal.
Chloe Peters and Serenidee James served as assistant directors throughout the week, Bentley George and Hadley Garnier operated the lights, while Valen Keating returned as the musical accompanist. Students were under the guidance of the tour’s MCT directors: Audra Tibbit and Austin Plunkett, who also appeared on stage as Plato.
Additional help was provided throughout the week by Redvers students and staff and Redvers Arts Council member Melissa Toms.
The two performances were well received by the audience. The students hid their jitters and showed off the week’s hard work.
This is the second consecutive year that Missoula Children’s Theatre has had a residency in Redvers. While admission fees helped recoup some of the costs of the MCT residency, including school workshops and performances, the residency was made possible by organizational and financial assistance of the Redvers Arts Council and Redvers School with additional financial contributions by the Redvers Adult Drama Club and the Redvers Rockets Field of Dreams.
A Sask Lotteries grant this spring helped defray some of the costs of last season’s production of King Arthur’s Quest. Both the Redvers Arts Council and Redvers School are grateful for the assistance of all contributors, participants, and volunteers. It was great to see the kids shine on stage.
