High School Musical Jr. takes the stage at the Esplanade

This year the eighth grader get to play basketball player Troy Bolton.

“I enjoy getting to try out different characters, and it’s fun to act them out,” Mellish said.

“One day you’re a fish, a different day you’re a basketball player, a different day you’re a seagull in the sky, and no matter what, it’s always so fun.”

Grade 9 student, Saoirze Masanque, also returns to the Esplanade for a second year, excited to perform her role as Gabriella Montez.

“She’s like the stereotypical smart kid, but she moves lots, to different schools, and when she’s here she meets Troy, and then changes the whole school from being all the stereotypes and like the mean girls to like everyone can all be friends now,” Masanque said.

Both students have excitement and nerves ahead of opening night.

“It’s very exciting, but it can also be very nerve-wracking, but it’s fun to perform in front of audiences,” Mellish said.

“It’s pretty exciting, it’s nervous at first, but once you’re actually on stage, you feel the lights and you know that there are actually people watching, the adrenaline comes in,” Masnanque said.

“You’re like, I’m actually here, you know? All the hard work has gone up to this moment, and it’s all worth it.”

Director Kayla Lukacs said they have about 65 students working hard on the production.

“We have a bunch of students doing like hair and makeup and then students on crew, so they’ll be backstage for the show,” Lukacs said.

“They really get to be involved in all the elements. If they don’t want to be on stage, we have a role for them backstage, and it’s so exciting that we have such a large amount of kids that want to be involved. It’s really exciting for us.”

Mellish started to really enjoy acting when he was younger, drawing inspiration from watching a well known Canadian comedian.

“I watched a lot of movies. Jim Carrey was always one of the stars, and I always enjoyed watching him on the big screen,” Mellish said.

“I thought that maybe I could try doing something like that.”

With preparations underway since the fall, the students will be ready to perform this weekend with two shows at the Esplanade, Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m.

Tickets available through tixx.ca for your opportunity to watch these young actors hit their notes.

by Jesse Gill

High School Musical Jr. takes the stage at the Esplanade

Our Community