Ecole H.J. Cody High School students are set to take the stage later this week for their production of Little Women based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott.
The play, being directed by teacher Alyssa Latimer, is one that the students are excited to showcase to their audience.
“For women going through high school, this play can truly resonate with them because it shows so much independence in women that some girls going through high school right now might not feel. It is just truly a feminist play which shows the power of women,” Alexa Visscher who will be playing Amy March in the production said.
The play also reflects on the importance and values of family, Mercee McIssac added.
“We go through the hard, we go through the good but we always have our family to lean back on and I think that is what I want the audience to take away from our play.”
For the cast, connecting with and being able to see themselves in their characters was easy.
“Amy is a young sibling and I am one myself. I connect with her and I feel she often is a character that reflects the light that her other siblings shine,” Visscher said.
“Meg is a very romantic girl unlike myself so it’s a new part of me that I am exploring as an actor and as a person, but I am very happy I got her because she’s been able to change me and has given me more insight on women power,” McIssac said.
For many of the cast, this was also their first chance at being in a more dramatic production.
“Laurie represents the childlike innocence that a boy could have. I was so engaged with this role because I finally got to play a serious role. There weren’t any jokes it was just a genuine story to act through,” Keagan Schmidt said.
The complete cast for the show includes Kaydon Meehan (Josephine (Jo) March), Benni Robinson (Beth March), McIssac (Margret (Meg) March), Visscher (Amy March), Azaelea Wilson (Marmee March), Andy Simon (Father), Nora Kaminski (Hannah), Zoe Catton (Hannah Understudy), Erin Prier (Aunt March), Ryder Soppit (John Brooke), Schmidt (Theodore (Laurie) Lawrence), Eva Andersen (Mrs. Gardner), Allison (Toby) Mills (Annie Mofatt), Logan Andersen (Sallie Garnder) and Naomi Paul (Belle).
Behind the scenes making sure everything with the show runs smoothly are crew members Rudie Olson (props/costumes), Matilda Umlah (costumes), Kaede Thompson (stage manager), Grayson Umlah (sound), Callen Scanland (lights) and Zoe Catton (running crew).
“Seeing how well everyone has been doing their job and putting their heart, soul, and ambitions into this production has been amazing,” stage manager Thompson said.
The show also wouldn’t be possible to put on without the help of its generous sponsors including Outback Lawn Maintenance, Jeff and Jodi Moulton, Carlie Marsh, Jonathan Paul, and Matilda Umlah.
Tickets for any of the showings cost $10 for students and $15 for adults and can be purchased by contacting the school at 403-887-2412 or night of at the door.
Showings of the play will take place at the school on March 7, 8, and 9 at 7 p.m. with a matinee performance set to take place as well on March 9 at 2 p.m.