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OKTC STAGE DOOR NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2014 Editor: Art Fidler fidlera@rogers.com

OK IS JAM-PACKED WITH JUNE JOY!

Read about it here. Then do it!

1. THE SECRET GARDEN: May 28 to June 1: This beautiful, award-winning musical drama,

based on the immortal youth novel, is brimming with class, emotion and a cast of OKs of

all ages, putting heart, soul and talent into every second of it! This is a SECRET you’ll

want to share! www.oktc.ca / 519-679-8989

2. THE ANNUAL OKTC GRADUATION GALA and Season Celebration: Monday, June 2 at 6:30pm.

Western Faculty of Education at 1137 Western Road south of Sarnia Road. This is a free

company event for all families to enjoy.

It will include valedictory speeches from our Senior Grads, including 4 who have been with the

company for 10 years or more, honouring of Grade 8 grads as the move forward to leadership in

OKTC, performances by all the casts of our spring/summer 2014 musicals, honouring of all cast.

Crew and staff of our 4 PlayFest productions, special video features for PlayFest, the 2014

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Original Kids New York Trip, and a special video unveiling of our dream list of productions for the

near future, including this fall!

The main thing is the positivity and inspiration that this event always delivers. Be among the

hundreds who show up and enjoy the free parking to the rear of the college.

3. OK’S NEW YORK TRIP (MAR. 12- 19, 2015). REGISTRATION BEGINS: Tuesday June 3.

To get on the Interest List, and to receive information, email fidlera@rogers.com .

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4. OK’S DREAM JOURNEY AT THE LONDON FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL: JUNE 3 TO 14. Here’s your

chance to see our original production of Dream Journey, the same one that will go with cast and

crew to Germany in July to represent Canada at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre! The

poster on this Stage Door gives you the dates and times of its London Fringe performances. Only

$10 available at the door plus the Fringe button. DO NOTE THAT PERFORMANCES ARE IN THE

THEATRE ON THE WEST END OF THE LONDON CONVENTION CENTRE! A fresh, comfortable place

to enjoy an exciting original play written and performed by our own OKS!

Special thanks to Richelle Hirlehey for Choreography and to Andrew Rethazi for Vocal Coaching.

5. EDGES: THE OKTC ALUMNI PRODUCTION: For the 5th year, prominent OK alumni are returning home to put on a show! The last two productions of Spring Awakening and Avenue Q have swept the London theatre awards, and established a high-quality tradition of mature productions produced, directed, music-directed, choreographed and performed by our own alumni, some of whom now work in this production with us along with their professional theatre careers. An OK alumni production is really something to experience, and Edges will be unique,

in that it is called a “song-cycle”. It will be a compelling and emotive ride that will have our audiences of all ages reflecting on their young years - the mistakes that define who we become, our addiction to Facebook, the fear of saying "I love you" and the reality that hasn't quite hit us yet. Creators Benji Pasek and Justin Paul have crafted an exciting

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contemporary musical that carries an honest voice conveying universal themes such as love, commitment, identity, confronting emotions, escaping expectations and finding meaning. Honest, hip, and inspiring -- take a fascinating look at life teetering on the Edges! June 19 at 8PM ($10 Preview) June 20, 21, 22, 26 (Post-Show Talkback), 27, 28 at 8PM. www.oktc.ca / 519-679-8989

6. CAMP OK AND KAMP KIDLETS SUMMER SESSIONS BEGIN Monday, June 30! Limited places still

available for you to check out on www.oktc.ca.

7. 2014-15 INVITATION PACKAGES WILL ARRIVE SOON!

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SECOND SUCCESSFUL OK PLAYFEST AND AWARDS

Our PlayFest, and the Awards party on May 4th that concluded it, were great fun, and a fitting

tribute to our actors and staff producing the 4 dramas and comedies of our season.

Here are the award winners, as revealed by PlayFest Adjudicator Sarah Green:

Best Comedic Performance – Jack Meadows, This is a Test / This is a Text

Best Dramatic Performance – Emily Clarke as Lady Macbeth

Best Storytelling Moment – Jamie Bain, The Election

Best Performance Playing Multiple Characters – Kenzie Lewis, Check Please!

MVPs (by audience ballot)

1. Test/Text – Nathan Martin

2. Check Please – Marissa Rasmussen

3. The Election – Alexa Shipman

4. Macbeth – Michael Goodale

Marketing Director’s Best Ballyhoo Award – Macbeth

Artistic Director’s Process Award – The Election

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OTHER MAY MAGIC

If you saw Changing Minds and The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist, then you know what a

fine time you had, and don’t need me to praise those Original Kids, their volunteers or their

artistic staff for you. If you didn’t see them, well, you can get a flavour of the joy when they do

a number for you at the Grad!

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LOOKING AHEAD

CRAZY FOR YOU: Stratford Festival, October 8. This company trip will be wonderful! We went

to the first preview of this musical in April, and it was so good, that I had tears of happiness in

my eyes at the end. It is overwhelming. I can promise really good seats, as I hand-picked each of

the 48 tickets, one by one while they were still available only to Festival Company Members.

The seats are the best and most expensive (that is, for the usual patrons!). A+ seats, regular

about $125 each! For you, they are $60 adult and $50 kid, and that includes the bus and the

congenial fellow enthusiasts. This trip is open to all family members!

Reserve your spots by emailing fidlera@rogers.com.

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M-I-C… See you soon!

K-E-Y… Why? Because we like you!

OKTC DOES DISNEY!

Information Session: Wednesday June 4 at 6 pm

Disney is one of the world’s leaders in performing arts and entertainment, and who wouldn’t want to

learn from the best?

OKTC is planning a fun-filled, exciting trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! You will experience the fun and excitement of Walt Disney World, stay at a WDW Resort, and participate in Disney Performing Arts Workshops led by Disney Education Specialists! This trip is intended for Original Kids in grades 6-9. We will be having an information session on Wednesday June 4 at 6 pm. All are welcome to attend!

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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY

FROM THE LONDON FRINGE FESTIVAL: Volunteer with the London Fringe Festival June 3-14! We

need about 200 “Troupers” to help with box office, ushering, and great arts events throughout

downtown London. A wide variety of times are available. Go to www.londonfringe.ca/troupers to fill out

the application or call 519-434-0606. Volunteers receive tickets to shows, t-shirts, and delicious treats

throughout the festival. Many of our Original Kids have volunteered in the past and have said it’s a great

experience! And of course, the hours earned can count towards high school community hours!