Gallery 7 Theatre presents its production of the Canadian play Schoolhouse starting on Friday, April 8 at the Abbotsford Arts Centre.
The play is set in 1938 in a one-room schoolhouse in the fictional town of Baker's Creek in rural Canada, where a young but precocious Melita Linton is appointed teacher of an endearing yet rambunctious group of children.
Quickly gaining the respect of her young charges, Melita is challenged by the arrival of a new student, a juvenile delinquent named Ewart, who was sent to the community after doing time in Battenville Training School.
Melita attempts to reach out to the young boy and struggles to help both the town and the young man move beyond their fears and insecurities.
Schoolhouse celebrates both seeing the best in others and those incredible teachers who had a positive influence in our lives.
The play will be performed by actors from Abbotsford and Langley, and will be directed by Sarah Hu, who last directed The Hiding Place in 2014.
Playing the role Melita Linton is Catrina Jackson, who last played Aouda in Around the World in 80 Days.
Ewart, is played by Cody Friesen, who last performed on the Gallery 7 Theatre stage in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and directed last November’s production of Around the World in 80 Days.
Colonel Burnette, the community’s superintendent of schools, will be played by newcomer Blaine McDonald.
Rounding out the cast, and in some instances playing multiple characters, are Doriana Brewer, Michalya Cardow, Kenzie Hall, Kyle Herrewynen, Natalie Hoogstra, Joshua Levesque, Megan Mackenzie, Isabella McDonald, Danielle Milette, MaryJane Sexton, Emily Smith, Bailey Tonn and Matt Veenbaas.
Set Design for Schoolhouse is by Reg Parks, costume design is by Andrea DeMeyer, lighting design is by Phil Miguel, sound design is by Ryan Scramstad and makeup design is by Victoria Hu.
Choreography is being handled by Cody Friesen and fight choreography is by Mike Kovac and Ryan Bolton. Stage manager is Yvonne Spuls and the production photographer is Dianna Lewis.
Schoolhouse runs April 8 and 9, and 13-16 at 7:30 p.m. with discount matinees on April 8 and 16 at 2 p.m.
Tickets for evening performances are $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors, and $15 for kids 12 and under.
Tickets for matinees are $20 general and $15 for children.
They can be purchased at House of James (2743 Emerson St. or 604-852-3701) or online at gallery7theatre.com.