Finding Treasure in a Sky Full of GIANTS

Story appeared in the 2018 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.

BY HAYLEY PICARD, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Giants in the Sky

THE MAGICAL STORY OF GIANTS IN THE SKY explores the world of gentle giants who live high above the clouds. They polish the stars, poke the clouds to let it rain, and paint the sunsets. Everything is beautiful and life is perfect. But one curious giant wonders what life is like on Earth, so she steals the key to the locked beanstalk and embarks on an adventure down below!

With a cast of students in Grades 4 through 7, Director Tilly Lorence wanted the actors of Giants in the Sky to truly make the play their own. “This musical production was an exciting opportunity for Junior School per formers to take the script and collaborate on all elements of the play,” shares Lorence. “The students were not only actors but were collectively directing and designing the production.” Lorence, who used the production to complete her Masters in Applied Theatre from the University of Victoria, was researching ways to create a student-centred rehearsal process. Giants in the Sky was the perfect opportunity to apply her research.

Through musical numbers and action packed scenes, audiences were taken on a roller coaster journey with the curious giant Heeshee and her pal Bert as they left the clouds for modern Earth. Through their travels, the young giants have their friendship strained to the breaking point, but ultimately realize their bond is worth more than anything Earth or the clouds can provide.

Treasure Island

WITH PIRATES, SWORD FIGHTS, SEA VOYAGES, A DESERTED ISLAND, buried treasure and adventure, QMS’ drama performance of Treasure Island was a hit for buccaneers of all ages.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of young Jim Hawkins’ search for treasure and his tempestuous relationship with the infamous pirate Captain Long John Silver, the stage presentation incorporated a deeper element of narrative and storytelling. “This version of Treasure Island was unique—it was situated in a classroom and was the telling of a story within a story,” explains Director Paul Totzke. “This allowed students to be themselves and someone else as they delivered the script. It was quite engaging and fun.”

With a cast that included students from Grades 7 through 12, Totzke was thrilled with their energy and ability to connect deeply as a team, regardless of their ages. “Lauren McLeod who portrayed the hero Jim Hawkins was only in Grade 7, yet she played strongly opposite Savannah Meadus in Grade 9 (Captain Long John Silver) and Kira Kier in Grade 12 (Pirate Israel Hands),” says Totzke. “This group was very special.”

The reality of stage performance is that challenges happen. It is how actors rise to meet these trials that can determine the success of a production. Treasure Island was no different, with students having to pull out of the show at the last moment for various reasons. It was younger actors such as Denzy James (Grade 7), originally cast in smaller roles, who stepped up for the collective vision to be realized.

The cast of Treasure Island learned the virtue of adaptability. A key life skill in a world full of tempestuous seas and scurvy pirates.