Drama Students Ready to Hit the Stage at Town’s New Arts Theatre

Students have been working on the play for the past few months, with dress rehearsals beginning this week ahead of the big debut. - James Culic/Metroland

Drama students from Greater Fort Erie Secondary School are ready to hit the stage for the first student-led play production in the town’s new arts theatre.

Late last year, the new theatre was put through its paces during a co-production that was mounted by students and local play company Dominion Repertory Theatre, but this time, the kids will be all on their own.

“We got all the jitters out of the way and all the kinks ironed out,” said drama teacher, Vince Marinaccio. “We’ve been at this for four months now and it’s really coming together. We’ve got a great group of actors here and a great supporting crew. Our entire tech crew is Grade 9 students and they’ve already learned so much about the new system. They’re actually teaching me stuff now.”

For the student’s first major production, Marinaccio chose Blood Relations, a play that follows the life and wild circumstances around Lizzie Borden and the violent murder of her family.

“I remember seeing it at the Shaw Festival and thinking it would be a good play for my students,” he said. “It’s got comedy, it’s got serious moments, and it’s also got some parts that are going to scare the crap outta you.”

The play was written by celebrated Canadian playwright Sharon Pollock, and went on to win a Governor’s General Award.

Curtains will rise on opening night at the high school on April 20, with followup performances on April 21, 27, and 28. All performances start at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10.

by James Culic

James Culic is an Ottawa-expat, reporting the news around Niagara’s southern tier. He also writes a weekly opinion column which people seem to love to hate-read. Follow him on Twitter and on Facebook.