Rimbey High School Drama Club is busy putting on the finishing touches to their production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ which will be shown at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre as part of a dinner theatre held Nov. 23 and 29. Tickets are still available at the high school for the Nov. 29 production.
Reid Sargeant, 15 and in Grade 10, who plays Prince in the play said he has enjoyed preparing for the play.
“It’s kind of fun. And it’s a good group of kids to be with.”
Sargeant said the character he plays is quite arrogant and it is challenging to get into that mind set.
Annie Service, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student said she is ‘loving’ playing the role of ‘Beauty’ in the play.
“It is a lot of fun. She is always trying to do what is best for her family. make sacrifices.”
Grade 12 student, seventeen-year-old Joel Talbot, plays the Beast.
“I’m enjoying it,” he said. He is a nasty, bitter guy and it’s a bit of work to get into that character, but it’s been fun.”
Drama teacher Shauna Murdoch said The play this year has been very special to her.
“Beauty and the Beast” is a classic story where to be loved you have to look past appearances and dig deeper. This message is especially important in today’s society where we judge and are judged based on race, religion, where we live and how we live our lives.”
She said she is blown away by her students.
“They always do such a great job creating, exploring and developing into the characters they portray. For me, the journey with the students is an amazing experience and one I wouldn’t change. In theatre we focus on “the process,” and with student actors it is the “process” where they truly grow.
One of my favorite things about the high school play is how close the class becomes. To have students from different backgrounds learn to trust and rely on one another is the best gifts I can get.
Murdoch is grateful for help and assistance from the community including Lance Hannesson-Set Design and Construction, Co-Op, Michael’s Studio, Dr. Robert and Dawn Nawrot, Dave Urquhart and Jim Peck, Stan Luchak, Starkist Catering and teachers of Rimbey Jr/Sr High School.