High School Musical hits the stage

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Strathmore High School is set to light up the stage this May with its production of High School Musical, a show that has been years in the making and now brings together a wide spectrum of student voices, from first-time performers to graduating veterans.

For drama teacher Deanne Bertsch, the production is especially meaningful. 

“I actually had chosen it in 2020,” she said. “And then we got shut down the day of our very first rehearsal because of COVID. We never actually ended up doing it.” 

Now, the long-delayed musical is finally coming to life, offering students a chance to perform a show that was once out of reach.

At the heart of the production is a message that resonates across the cast. 

“The biggest message I love about it is, the characters are just finding out who they are and they’re choosing to be their authentic selves and not worry what other people think of them,” Bertsch said. “This show celebrates kids doing what they love to do and not worrying about what other people think.”

That message is being explored by a cast of more than 70 students, making it one of the school’s largest productions. 

“Big class, but they’re so wonderful and positive,” Bertsch said. “They’re all working hard and they’re a pretty joyful bunch.”

Among those students is Grade 10 performer Coen Sonsteby, who is experiencing his first high school production after getting a small taste of theatre as a child. 

“Since my dad worked here (Strathmore High School), he knew Miss Bertsch, so she called me in to do a bunch of little parts and it was a lot of fun,” he said. “That was maybe 11, 12 years ago, so it is kind of cool being here now actually getting to do it as a class.”

Sonsteby plays both Jack Scott and Coach Bolton; roles he says allow him to fully embrace the energy of the show. 

“I really am (enjoying it), because for both of them, I just get to yell at people the whole time,” he said. “At the start (of rehearsals), you’re usually kind of messy, but once you all get together and actually learn, it’s really cool to see.”

The scale of the show has been both exciting and challenging for newer performers. 

“It looks like chaos right now with so many kids, but it’s going to be perfect,” Sonsteby added.

For Grade 12 student Julie Jacobs, the experience carries a different weight. As a veteran of the drama program, High School Musical will be her final performance before graduation. 

“There’s never been a day where I’ve not enjoyed doing drama,” said Jacobs, who takes on the role of Sharpay. “It’s really fun, exploring a person who’s nothing like me, but also has a lot of similarities with me. It’s like trying to find differentiation between myself and a character.”

Her years of experience have also placed her in a mentorship role within the production. 

“A lot of the seniors get to do a lot more with helping out backstage and teaching people different things that they might not know about yet,” Jacobs said. “All the dances that we’ve put together are a good compilation of a bunch of people’s different perspectives.”

Bertsch emphasized how important those senior students are to the program. 

“The Grade 11s and 12s are really great mentors for the (Grade) 10’s,” she said. “They bring a level of excitement for the new students too.”

To ensure as many students as possible have meaningful roles, the production features five separate casts. 

“The reason I do that is it just gives them all more opportunity to get stronger and get them to be brave,” Bertsch explained.

While the musical is filled with upbeat songs and energetic choreography, it also carries an emotional layer particularly for graduating students. 

“This show is also very pertinent because it’s about a graduating class,” Bertsch said. “It will be pretty moving for me and for those Grade 12s.”

Jacobs echoed that sentiment as she prepares for her final bow. “It’s kind of sad, but I’m excited to go and do basically the same thing in university,” she said.

Performances will run May 23 and 24 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with evening shows continuing May 25 through 27. Tickets are available online through The Vault and at the door if not sold out.

For Bertsch, the production is ultimately about celebrating her students and their courage to perform. 

“Teenagers are amazing, awesome people, with so much potential,” she said. “I hope people will just come and celebrate them doing the thing that they love to do.”