NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 
NEWSLETTER
 SANTA CLAUS PARADE!
                by Janet Williams                

Production Manager, 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

On November 17th a group of young

performers from the upcoming Senior Production braved the warm temperatures, the possibility of rain, being followed by a bleating  sheep, a braying donkey and a looped recording of The Little Drummer Boy...all  to deliver the message that First Light Theatre is putting on A Christmas Carol at 

the River Run Centre, Dec 19, 20, and 21st.

 

Dressed as Scrooge was Dan Mackinnon, as Tiny Tim: Ronan Hayes, Fezziwig: SammieBecker, Ghost of Marley: Rianna Morgan, Bob Cratchett: Esme Wayne, Mrs. Cratchett: Valentina Bernardi, and as a representative of the British law enforcement: Bobbie (or Constable) Williams.  

 

As I walked along through the crowd, keeping pace with the group, I was delighted to hear many people sigh with nostalgia, "Oh, look, it's Tiny Tim!"  One child mistakenly cried out, "It's from Harry Potter!" His enthusiasm was infectious!  Scrooge did a great job of tossing candy at the kids while yelling, "Bah, humbug!" at them all the way along.  He was hounded faithfully by my son Oliver, who did not decide he wanted to march until we were on our way; but as he is currently dressed in a Bobbie outfit most days, he fit right in -- somewhat. Esme and Valentina were valiant in calling out the show information as they handed candy to the crowd.  Sammie got left behind at one point for the kids would not let her go until she handed out every last candy to them. Rianna pushed Ronan in the rented wheelchair so he wouldn't have to limp the whole way and Ronan waved valiantly throughout, as if he knew that his sweet face, decorated with made-up dirt was the icon of the display. 

 

A special thanks to Julia Malott, First Light Theatre's talented and tireless Costume Designer, who brought costumes and helped me cobble them together as each person arrived.   And to the people at Downtown Guelph - the organizers of the parade - who were most helpful.  And thanks to Sam Jewell and Marty Williams, too (it's not often I get to thank my husband so please excuse my nepotism...). 

TICKETS ON 
SALE NOW!
Join us for this production of the famous and favourite story of the Christmas Eve transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge! 
 
Our young actors are hard at work preparing this celebration of the spirit(s) of Christmases past, present and future ~ music, dance and some heartfelt performances will make this an evening to remember!  
 
To purchase tickets, 

This Junior Production Training Programme is in full swing with a full cast of 25 kids aged 
7 - 13!  Fantastic energy abounds from this very talented and excited cast as they settle into rehearsals over the next 5 months.  We look forward to lots of skill building and team work as they work towards a course of 8 performances in April at the University of Guelph!
VOLUNTEERS!
 
First LIght Theatre is always in need of volunteers in a variety of capacities should you wish to help out or refer a friend.  To get involved, click here

ONLINE PAYMENT NOW AVAILABLE! 

Simply click BUY NOW to purchase tickets to our shows or register for one of our our After School Programmes, PA Days or Training Programmes
First Light Theatre is a registered charitable organization. If you are interested in helping support arts education for young people, 
please go to



NEW CANADIAN KID
by Dennis Foon
 
FLT just finished four fantastic performances of this unique and popular play for approximately 1,000 Grade 5 and 6 students from Guelph Wellington and Dufferin Peel regions and it was a hit!  Written by Canada's own Dennis Foon, the story tells us about the experiences of a boy named Nick and his Mom who are newcomers to Canada.  
 
Commissioned by the Upper Grand District School Board and the City of Guelph, this play was directed by Rosemary Walton and performed with energy, commitment and professionalism by 3 young Guelph actors - Adam Innis, Sam Pintana and Abby Hunter, as well as our own Courtney Riddell (Coordinator of After School Programming, director of shows past and present and an actor in her own right) as Mom.  Some of the issues covered in this play include bullying, friendship, inclusion and family.

                                   
Readying the Spotlight for FLT Supporters!

There's excitement afoot at First Light Theatre. And it's not just the usual happy activity of wonderful workshops, big show buzz or school programmes. We are gearing up to turn our spotlight around and shine it back at you, our First Light Theatre Family. With the introduction of our new Director of Resource Development, Cynthia Kinnunen, we are setting our fundraising feet in motion. We are growing and we're excited!

Cynthia brings along years of experience in non-profit marketing, fundraising, event planning and arts administration, with side orders of music instructing and social media dabbling. Cynthia says, "In my short time here, I've already seen such energy and commitment to giving young people an experience in theatre craft - one that goes far beyond just memorizing lines and standing stage left. These kids are learning life-enhancing skills like empathy, confidence, cooperation and focus. With technology taking over young lives these days, these kinds of skills are beyond important - they're imperative. I'm thrilled to get involved and be part of the next phase of growth for First Light Theatre."

Spotlight on You!
We're saving a spot in each of our newsletters to highlight someof our fantastic supporters because without you, our theatre would be empty. You may have received an email from our head honcho, Rosemary Walton, a few weeks back asking you to consider making a gift to help us reach our year-end goals. If you haven't yet, we hope you'll give it some thought. Now that we have received charitable status, we are pleased to issue tax receipts for your gifts.

Have questions about making a donation to First Light? Get in touch with Cynthia anytime
at [email protected].

And watch this space for stories about some of the incredible supporters in our First Light Family.

 

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMES 
 
We have been having a great fall term with our after school programmes!  Our young performers are 
always very excited to show family and friends what t
hey have been up to as each class prepares a short presentation/workshop for the last class.   
 
FLT has classes being offered this fall at Central PS, King George PS, St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic
School, Rockwood Centennial and Taylor Evans PS.
   
Rockwood Centennial PS After School Drama class demonstrates some creative tableaux  - focusing on creating a character, showing a conflict and working together as a group.

 2 ALL NEW CLASSES NEXT TERM
We are currently in the planning stages for our After School Programmes for next term and will be offering two brand new classes...

IMAGINE THAT!   For Grades 1 -4  - this is a session in the art of storytelling.  Students will create and perform a short play that is based on a familiar story or fable at the last class of the session.
IMPROVISE!  For Grades 5 - 6 -Students will get an opportunity to create original scenes and characters, learning the art of improvisation - thinking quickly and creatively and having a ton of fun at the same time!
 
For information on any of these classes for 
your child's school, please contact Ms. Courtney Riddell at [email protected]
 
******************************** 
P.A. Day 
Friday November 22nd
 
 FLT iexcited to announce that their first Play in a Day PA Day workshop for kids aged 7+ was full of fun and creativity and was a huge success!  The challenge was to create an original play in just one day and - and our performers did just that!  During the course of one day they created an original mini-play presentation with characters, props and costume pieces for their parents to enjoy at pick up time. It was a day full of fun, games and the performance. 
 
Look out for our next Play in a Day session on the next scheduled PA Day.
Don't Miss Out!
Ages 7 - 12
10% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT 
IF REGISTERED IN FULL BY 
DEC 10th!   Rehearsals begin Tuesday, January 7th  - 3 performances at the end of March!
 
For full programme details and registration information, click here   
 

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