Laurier’s student-run production of “High School Musical” will hit the stage this January

Laurier Musical Theatre's High School Musical logo
Laurier Musical Theatre's High School Musical logo
Contributed image

This January, Laurier Musical Theatre (LMT) is putting on High School Musical––their first student-run production in over two years due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

During the fall term, cast members and students in LMT worked together through hours of vocals, choreography and rehearsals to prepare for the final shows, taking place on Jan. 26th, Jan. 27th and Jan. 28th. 

“It’s been quite the experience, trying to put a live performance on since COVID and everything. I think it really dimmed the theatre community for a while, and now trying to get back into it, it’s been really great,” Alexandra Martin, producer at LMT, said. 

As for LMT’s first live show, deciding to produce High School Musical this semester was a popular choice among cast and crew. 

“I chose High School Musical because honestly it’s a dream of mine to do it. Also, for everyone our age who’s in university right now, I feel like High School Musical was such an important piece of media for a lot of us. It was like a staple in our childhood,” Martin said, referring to the 2006 movie starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. 

Since High School Musical is deemed a childhood classic for many kids growing up in the early 2000s, it resonates with many students, enticing them to be a part of its production. 

“It’s so nostalgic and I think that that’s something that has also been really important to many of the first years that are in our production; to have a sense of nostalgia when you’re going off to university, and everything is really new and scary,” Grace Hood, the stage manager of the production, said. 

This year, many first-years came out to audition, joining the cast and LMT community. 

“It’s a big community and it’s a really great opportunity for people to make friends. A lot of people say university is where you meet your friends for life, so this is such a great opportunity for first years and even second years who have been online this whole time to really get out of their comfort zones, get out of their box and meet people,” Martin said. 

It’s so nostalgic and I think that that’s something that has also been really important to many of the first years that are in our production; to have a sense of nostalgia when you’re going off to university, and everything is really new and scary.

Grace Hood, stage manager of the production

Students involved with the production and this theatre community will be putting together all of the components for the show in the final month leading up to the live performances.  

“Now it’s just putting everything together and starting with tech and lighting––really putting final pieces together,” she said. 

Although putting together the show has been a fun experience for members of LMT, there have been some challenges along the way due to COVID-19. 

“We’ve had to really pivot because of COVID.I know the Students Union has been insanely busy because this is the first year back to in-person stuff, so it’s been a little challenging because we do have to go through SU to get a lot our funding and stuff done,” Martin said. 

As LMT prepares for the final month of rehearsals and organizing the live performances, tickets for the shows will be going on sale as the winter semester begins. 

“We will be in the concourse through most of January leading up to the show, promoting and offering ticket sales. The prices are $11.00 for Laurier students, $13.00 for non-Laurier students and $16.00 for the general public,” she said. 

For more information about LMT and ticket sales, check out their Instagram: @lauriermusicaltheatre, or their website: www.lauriermusicaltheatre.ca. 

Additionally, if students are looking to get involved with LMT next semester, LMT is hoping to do a production called The Review

The Review is more or less a student-written play and we will put that on for them on campus. We usually just do it in a lecture hall, nothing too big, and we try to keep it under an hour and a half to an hour,” Martin said. 

This opportunity is for students who would like to showcase their creativity and be part of a student-written and run production. 

“We like to do something that’s a little more intimate with the students to make someone’s dreams come true essentially. Anyone can come and submit their pieces that they would like for us to consider and people can come audition again,” she said.

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