December 20, 2002 

CHSS Musical Theatre class producing "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat"
If you missed it on Broadway or in Toronto, you now have a chance to see it in January 2003. The Musical Theatre students of Centre Hastings Secondary School are polishing their ambitious version of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The show will involve over one hundred students.

"Dreamcoat" is a rock opera and is a mix of musical genres from rock and roll to blues to country with everything in between. This year, the cast of 29 performers is backed up by an 11-piece student orchestra made up from the senior music class.

Kim Dafoe and Bill Piton began the double credit course in 1998. Dafoe is responsible for the music and choreography while Piton is the drama teacher and producer. To participate in the program, students auditioned last year with a prepared musical piece, a monologue and
an interview with the Musical Theatre teachers. Those chosen went through a second audition for the various roles.

The program has opened career possibilities in the entertainment industry with some of the graduates of the Musical Theatre program continuing their interest in theatre at colleges and universities.

To involve more students in the production and the workings of live theatre, course opportunities were expanded to include a grade 12 Stage Design course under teacher, Mr. Rick Moulton. Moulton instructs students in the technical elements of staging a production. The students learn about lighting, props, set design and construction.

Each technical student is given particular tasks and some are designated as managers of certain areas. Erin Todd is the lighting manager, a job that contributes to the visual excitement of the production. Andy Pomorski is responsible for props, both creating the items, and moving the props during the play. Angie Smith, the set manager was required to paint the backdrops and staircase. Each manager has several students working with them and were selected by their peers.

In past productions, the Musical Theatre students were responsible for lights, sets, props, and costumes. Continuing with the expansion, the costumes for the play were designed and sewn by the senior Fashion Design students under the direction of Sue Berkhuizen and Lise Hannah.

Tickets for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" are $10 and are available from:
Centre Hastings High School - 613-473-4251
Marmora Insurance
The Great Stoco & Moira Food Company in Tweed
Dollar Da$e in Madoc

Performance dates are:
January 30th at 7:30 p.m.
January 31st at 7:30 p.m.
February 1st at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.