As we prepare our presentation of Matilda: The Musical (a Canadian School Premier Performance!) I am feeling fairly reflective. This is my 25th school musical production. Over the years I have worked with so many students in 4 different schools, and with parents and staff members to put on performances that showcase student success and includes everyone who wants to be in a show. Every year a few students dream of being a star on the stage, and for each and every one that completes a show, they are stars! There are few things more difficult in the Performing Arts than musical theatre, an art form which showcases acting, singing and dancing and calls on our students to work hard in each discipline. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of students work out of the technical booth or in the wings to makes sure that we can see and hear our performers. They have built sets, props and worked on creating stage magic for all to see. During the last six years here at CNGS we have been lucky enough to be the first middle school in Canada to perform three plays! Shrek, Mary Poppins and now Matilda. This means our crew has to be quite creative as we create the effects that no other schools have tried to figure out!
I am so thrilled that we are ready to share our work and celebrate with you, the audience. We have worked hard, overcome challenges and obstacles and spent countless hours getting ready, all so we can tell the story of one EPIC little girl, who demonstrates excellence, perseveres through challenges, shows personal integrity and is courageous in standing up for what is right. Because after all, as Matilda says, “If it’s not right, you’ve gotta put it right.”
Now, where did I put my hair tonic bottle?
Mr. Stephen Martin
May 15th, 2019