The classic coming-of-age tale Little Women is set to come to life in Rimbey as the local high school drama program hosts their annual dinner theatre this Friday and Saturday Dec. 8 and 9 at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre.
Little Women, written by American Novelist Louisa May Alcott in 1868, follows the trials and tribulations of four sisters as they navigate through the harsh realities of their time.
The pragmatic tale tells of the sisters’ journey through poverty and the Civil War into adulthood.
In 2018, the novel was adapted by world renowned playwright Kate Hamill. The Rimbey High School will be performing Hamill’s adaptation for their dinner theatre feature.
Rimbey Jr./Sr. High School drama program director, Shauna Murdoch, says the students are looking forward to this year’s play. She added although the play is based in the late 1800’s it is still relevant and relatable to youth these days.
“The idea that everyone should be treated equally and that there’s opportunity for everyone everywhere really resonates with them,” said Murdoch. “When I talked to my Gr. 7 language arts class about the story of Little Women most of them don’t know that women didn’t have the right to vote until the 1970’s and they’re shocked.
“It really gets them thinking about what it means to be a woman and a little bit of women’s empowerment never hurts.”
With the set having been moved into the community centre on Monday, the dress rehearsal taking place on Tuesday and the dinner theatre beginning on Friday - Murdoch and the drama department will have a busy week. However, Murdoch said it’s in these times and through the drama department as a whole in which the students learn the most.
The kids always ask me how I pick the plays,” said Murdoch. “Firstly, the students have to be interested in it. Then we have to ask, ‘will it bring people through the doors, and ultimately, will it push them in their skills?’
“That’s what it’s all about is helping them to grow their skill set. We want the students to gain experience and have the ability to showcase their skills and talents.”
In addition to their dress rehearsal and two nights of dinner theatre style, the gr. 10-12 drama students in the play will also perform for the elementary and middle school students.
“It’s good exposure for the younger kids, as many have never had the chance to watch a play. We hope it will bring those younger kids into the program when they enter high school as well,” explained Murdoch.
“All of our junior high kids take drama, then in high school they get to choose - some kids it’s not their things, but it’s not going to hurt you to learn about the art form. I think it teaches you how to work with people you maybe don’t like or working on a deadline and having to think on your feet.”
For Murdoch and many of her students, it isn’t the learning aspect or the love of a good story that keeps them coming back to the stage.
“The biggest thing I think is the sense of community - our high school students often say we’re like a family because we get closer than you would in other classes,” said Murdoch. “I think that’s key - having a place where kids feel like they belong, they’re not going to be judged - it’s a family kind of environment.”