Orillia Secondary School is leaving it all on the court with an upcoming performance.
For the first time, the school is putting on a musical — High School Musical, appropriately.
“We wanted to choose something that was fun and a little easier since this is our first musical,” said Amy MacMillan, drama and dance teacher and director of the musical. “Because it’s set in a high school, that makes things a bit easier.”
There are about 40 students, spanning Grade 9 to Grade 12, in the cast and another 20 in the crew and band. They’ve been rehearsing three times a week since October.
“They have worked relentlessly,” MacMillan said.
“I really feel like we’ve grown together,” added Bella Francis, 16, who plays the lead female role, Gabriella.
This isn’t Francis’s first foray into musical theatre. She played one of the leads in Urinetown — The Musical at the Orillia Opera House.
“I want to be an actress and do musical theatre, so I’m taking every chance I can,” she said.
It’s a different story for Jesse Chard. The 18-year-old, who is playing the lead male role, Troy, had never done musical theatre before this performance.
“It’s a lot of pressure. I wasn't even going for the lead when I auditioned,” he said, noting the response to his audition prompted him to seek the lead.
He encourages the public to check out the performance.
“Even if you don’t like musicals, you’re going to have the biggest smile on your face or have the loudest chuckle in the audience,” he said.
Last year’s production of Alice in Wonderland at the school was performed in the 100-seat drama room, and it sold out. High School Musical will be performed in the 400-seat cafeteria.
“Hopefully we get more people to come out and see this,” said MacMillan.
Performances will take place March 4, 5 and 6 at 6 p.m. and March 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for students and seniors, $15 for adults. They are available at the school’s main office.
