An Essex County theatre group is getting ready for its production of “Grease” next month.
The Windsor-Essex Community Arts Project (WECAP) is presenting the play April 5-13 at the Villanova Festival Theatre.
“We’ve got 28 young people in the cast,” said director Bonnie Porteous. “We’ve been running rehearsals since late summer.”
Much of the cast returns from last year’s production of “Rock of Ages” but Porteous pointed out they have new faces this year.
“The cast is very tight,” said Porteous. “They’re cohesive. The new people fit like a glove.”
The youngest member of the cast is 12-years-old and the oldest is 21. In addition to Porteous, others guiding the youth are musical director Ian Smith, choreographer Annajayne MacNeil and technical director Bill Porteous.
Youth come from Amherstburg, Essex, Belle River, Harrow, Leamington, Tecumseh and Kingsville. Rehearsals are at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Essex as a way to have a central location for people to arrive at.
“This is our third season,” said Porteous. “Every year we get more and more people. Everyone who auditions gets cast. We find a place for everyone.”
WECAP tries to be a place where students can come and discover talents they didn’t think they had or develop the talents they have even further. They want the youth to have fun and learn at the same time with that enabling them to flourish.
“I’m very proud of the kids and the work they’re putting in,” said Porteous. “It’s a new experience for a lot of the kids. They are doing super well.”
According to WECAP’s website, their mission “is to bring together local talent, youth, and members of the community to create art that is inclusive, accessible and engaging. Our theatre provides a welcoming and safe space for everyone to come together and share their love of the performing arts. We offer a variety of theatre-based programs, classes and workshops to help foster creativity in the community.”
Tickets for adults are $30 plus HST while students and seniors are $25 plus HST. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. except the April 7 and April 13 shows, which start at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit WECAP’s website at wecommunityartsproject.com
Local theatre group staging production of “Grease” next month
By Ron Giofu
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