Director's Notes

I think it is safe to say, a year ago none of us knew how everything would play out. It is of course common with the first anniversary of events to become very reflective of where we were a year ago. As a teacher of performing arts, I was in the process of cancelling everything.

For me, teaching grade 10 is always a bittersweet experience. My own grade 10 year was filled with the uncertainty of an ill parent. It felt like my whole world was shattering and when I needed to escape, it was often in solitude, with a notebook, a pen and the release that writing brought me.

When we as a class settled on creating devised theatre and a concept, I entered into the experience with hesitant elation. My creativity was surging in a way that I had not felt for a whole year, honestly maybe even more but the concept was daunting, the timeline tight and I felt the weight of 14 fantastic students who came to class every day saying “yes, lets!”

So, dear audience member, what I’m telling you is that if you discover plot holes or historical inaccuracies, I will not be surprised. I can promise you there are a few continuity errors that comes with creating theatre during a pandemic, including the director needing to isolate while the cast was at school filming!

What I can tell you with great certainty is that the resiliency and creativity of this class is second to none. Rising to challenges, exploring possibilities and doing it all with grace and faith is simply what they do best. James writes that we are blessed when we persevere under trial, and persevered they have!

These grade 10s have been a blessing and a joy and I cannot wait until I have the opportunity to teach them again.

SerenaRae Stein

Who's Who

Behind the Scenes

Bios

Jason Archibald

Jason is a grade 10 student and he is taking drama for the first time. He was a little apprehensive at first. But he is not disappointed by the outcome. Jason likes to read novels in his spare time; play hockey in a recreational league; photograph and draw pictures of animals; and has just recently finished his grade 8 piano exam. His ultimate goal is to be an astronaut.

Tia Dobbernack

Tia has been participating in and enjoying the MCS drama experience for a little over four years now. She has previously been seen in the MCS production of Newsies, and has grown immensely in her acting and commitment to productions. When she is not in drama class, you can find her out on the ski hills and mountain slopes. She is looking forward to acting in future shows, and hopes you enjoy the play!

Karmy Gandrie

Karmy is in grade 10. She is an active student who has been a part of the grade 7 basketball team and MCS diversity council. She has also previously appeared in Newsies and her main hobbies are running and reading. Karmy wants to thank God for the opportunities and blessings she was given.

Ben Gibson

Ben is a grade 10 student who has previously been “in the booth” for some of MCS’s assemblies and concerts. He started doing tech in grade six, when he was invited to help with projection at a school Christmas concert. Ben has grown in his skills and leadership through the time he spent serving his school in this capacity.

Jacob Goonewardene

Jacob, a grade 10 student attending MCS, is a musician, athlete and actor who loves the thrill of being on stage. He sang and danced in the musical Newsies, and is ecstatic to be acting again in our play that we present to you. He hopes that you will enjoy our performance!

Julia Kienzler

Julia is a grade 10 MCS student, who is excited to take part in her first production. Being part of this team for her first year at MCS has brought many blessings. Julia hopes she can share this experience with those around her in the years to come. She also thanks her family and friends for showering her in love.

Emma Langerud

Emma is a grade 10 student at Millwoods Christian School. She was homeschooled by her mother until she started at MCS in the fall of the 2017. Her love of drama started when she was an ensemble character in her school's production of Disney’s Newsies. Emma’s hobbies include reading, and watching TV.

Rhaya Mah

Rhaya has been attending MCS for the last 12 years and is very excited to be in her first MCS Theater production Heist 1918. Rhaya has been on various MCS sport teams including volleyball, basketball, badminton, and cheerleading; and was awarded the Grade 8 Athlete of the Year in 2019. She would like to thank God and the cast and crew for all the hard work they put in, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Lydia Marshall

Lydia is a Millwoods Christian School student. She first got introduced to acting and performing in grade 6, when she performed in the Christmas concert. She was also involved in the band program at the school and fell in love with the flute. Lydia had an amazing time working on developing this play and hopes you enjoy it.

Nat Milette

Nat is a grade 10 student who was born and raised in Edmonton. Some of her interests include playing guitar, painting, and learning about music history. She would like to thank her family and friends for their ongoing support. Nat is very excited to be in this year's drama production and other future productions.

Parker Skare

Parker is in grade 10, and has been in drama since grade 7. He was on the school volleyball team all throughout junior high and would like to continue playing once regulations allow a school team. Some of his hobbies include playing the guitar, skateboarding, biking and playing video games.

Emma Stein

Emma has been at MCS for 11 years, and is thrilled to be a part of Heist 1918. She has previously been seen in MCS’s production of Newsies and was part of the Joyful Noise Band. In her spare time, she likes to draw, play video games, sleep, bother her cats, and listen to music. She would like to thank her friends and family for all the support. She hopes you love the show as much as she does.

Renen Tan

Renen is the last of the famous five Tans; continuing their legacy participating in MCS Theatre productions and Joyful Noise Tour Band. Previously making his musical debut in MCS production of Disney’s Newsies. Renen enjoys playing video games and orchestrating food heists from the fridge to his room. He hopes to make you smile under your mask.

Julia Zantingh

Julia is a first year drama student at Millwoods Christian School, but she has been on a stage performing since she was three years old. Over the course, she has grown tremendously in her acting abilities, and wants to pursue drama in the future. Julia wants to thank her parents and grandparents for always encouraging her, along with helping her pursue all of the dreams she has ever had.

SerenaRae Stein

SerenaRae has loved building the Fine Arts Program at MCS over the past 16 years, but teaching in person drama during a pandemic has been a new challenge! Her learning curve this quarter has included developing skills in video and sound editing, and turning the most awkwardly shaped, acoustically live room into a theatre space. Her directing and producing credits include a multitude of shows, but she is proud to add Heist 1918 to that list.

Thank You

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

Our family and friends

Kim Berg, Judy Lorenz, Janine Lund and Colleen Lindoff for everything you do for me and our theatre program.

To our admin team, who have supported the craziest endeavor yet!

The staff of MCSS who have supported me in totally different ways this time, you are appreciated!

Mr. Radke for lending us extra pipe and drape.

Robyn Hebert at Long & McQuade for all you do to support us.

Victoria Van Sickle, substitute extraordinaire! Thank you for stepping in …. Twice!

Bradley King at Fringe Theatre for introducing us to the world of streamed theatre!

Mrs. Burdett for supporting all of us, from early story concept to stepping in during filming plus entertaining us every Friday at 3, we love you!

Mike Brazeau, I am so grateful to you; for all of the texts, Zoom calls, audio wizardry, laughter and wisdom you provide.

Doug Stein, for all your support through the writing process, editing and isolations!

To those who we accidentally overlooked, we thank you for helping us, which in turn, helps the kids to shine.

And finally, to my fourteen: like the phoenix, you rose from the ashes. You are resilient, funny, brave, loyal and dearly loved. I am grateful for you.

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