Students from the St. Paul Catholic Elementary School will be performing MTI Broadway Shows in New York’s Moana Jr from May 8-11, 2023.
“It’s a well-known movie for students of all ages in elementary. The music is also very catchy and enjoyed by many,” shared Alison Evens, grade 7/8 teacher at St. Paul CS and director of the play.
After a three-year hiatus, the production has returned for students in grades 4-8.
“This is the fifteenth year that I have directed a play at St. Paul. I wasn’t sure what the interest would be after Covid, but there are 40 students who are acting and singing in the play which is comparable to before. I feel there will be more interest after performing because we’ve had a three-year break,” she explained.
For both Evens and students engaged in the production, it has become a welcome extracurricular from Christmas break through to this spring.
“We practice 4 times a week from 12:50-1:35pm, Tuesdays after school and some Fridays,” said Evens.
As a completely student run performance, these young performers have the opportunity to get an early taste of show biz.
“It’s important for kids to act in the production for a variety of reasons. It focuses on the arts which I think it’s great for students who may not be interested in sports or intramurals. It builds confidence in children and also community with the others they are working with. It helps with reading and memorizing skills as well. It also makes kids happy and motivated,” shared Evens. “As I said before, there are 40 students acting/singing. It’s a student run performance so other students help with sound, props, programs, helping with costumes/hair/makeup, collecting ticket money during the night performances.”
And the cast welcomes each and every one to see the show!
“There will be six performances as there are two casts. Each cast has three performances. I usually invite a few schools in our board to come and watch the afternoon performances. We also invite the elderly from the Royal on Gordon for one of the afternoon performances,” said Evens. “Parents of those involved tend to come mostly for the evening performances but some also attend the afternoon performances. Anyone is welcome. Tickets for the evening performances are $5 at the door and there are reserved seats for the parents who pay in advance.”
Please see a full schedule below:
- Cast 1
- Monday, May 8 at 11:30am-12:50pm
- Wednesday, May 10 at 11:30am-12:50pm
- Thursday, May 11 at 7:00pm
- Cast 2
- Tuesday, May 9 at 11:30am-12:50pm
- Wednesday, May 10 at 7:00pm
- Thursday, May 11 at 11:30am- 12:50pm
To follow along with the cast leading up to the production, please visit St. Paul Catholic Elementary School on twitter at https://twitter.com/zlightningbolt.