A group of theatre students will be embarking on an incredible journey.
As its comeback show, the Okotoks Junior High School theatre program will be performing J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
The literary epic was a major undertaking, given the inactivity of the past two years, but the students are up the challenge.
“I was very excited to start and we were very ambitious, but it’s going pretty well,” said drama teacher Charmaine Ferguson. “It might be taking the students a bit longer to get back into things but I think we’re going to pull it together.”
It helps to have cast members enthusiastic about the subject matter, such as Grade 9 student Brady Belland, who jumped at the chance to play Golem.
“I’ve been a fan of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings for a long time,” said Belland, who has been participating in drama productions since elementary, and the opportunity to express himself. “I like that I’m able to play one of the more iconic characters.”
Castmate Eden Prince, playing Galadriel and serving as understudy to Bilbo, is also excited to tell the tale.
“The Hobbit itself is a great play because there’s so many characters compared to any other play, and I’m lucky to have very different parts,” Prince said. “It’s really good for your imagination and to dive into different characters.
“It’s a great way to leave your live behind and just dive into these other characters and their lives.”
Also signing on is Grade 9 student Lola Paul, playing Essie and understudying as Thorin.
For her, the social factor of being able to create a show with friends is a major boost.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to hang out with your friends outside of school, and you get to have a whole new experience creating a whole new world,” Paul said. “And you have to be in that world and pretend you’re a whole new person. It’s just been an amazing experience.”
Showings for OJHS’ production of The Hobbit are March 25 at 7 p.m. and March 26 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults, and are available at the front office or from cast members. Cash tickets will be available at the door if capacity allows and there will be a cash-only concession.
Those who come dressed in a Hobbit-themed costume will be entered into a door prize to be drawn Saturday night.
