Summer Challenge’s Willy Wonka is theatre’s golden ticket

Summer Challenge returns with this week’s golden ticket – a full-on production of Willy Wonka.

Each year, theatre students from across the district take to the stage in the Bishop Carter Auditorium at St. Joseph Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School, to showcase their talents, and usually, there isn’t an empty seat in the house.

"The cast is full of talented individuals with bright futures in theatre,” said Ella Baxter, who plays Charlie in the play. “We've worked incredibly hard, and I believe it's going to be an amazing show!"

The Summer Challenge fosters a lot of local talent. The program is presented by the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic School Board and is open to students from grade 6 to grade 12. Those who take part are immersed in all aspects of theatre production, from acting, dancing, singing – they usually produce musicals – and stage and prop design.

Not only do the students get hands-on theatre experience, but participants also earn two credits for their work.

Once students try the program, they usually come back for more. Isabella Kolesnichenko is one of those students – “I loved it so much that I just wanted to come back,” she enthused, “I had a lot of fun.”

Kolesnichenko performed in last year’s hit Percy Jackson with the troupe, and from there she became hooked on the theatre experience. For others, like Marley Forrest, this summer program marks an introduction to the craft.

“This is my first ever production,” Forrest said, “and all the people are great. I felt very welcome in the Summer Challenge.”

See: Summer Challenge talent ready to unleash The Lightning Thief

This summer’s play is an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s popular tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The children’s book was published in 1964 and tells the story of a destitute young boy who wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka’s magical and mysterious chocolate factory. The story inspired four feature films and theatrical adaptations, like the one you can see this week.

"We're thrilled for the community to join us and support the show,” said Production Director Whitney Cerilli. “These young performers have given their all to create a delightful experience, and we hope the audience enjoys it as much as we enjoyed making it."

Indeed, all are welcome to come out to Summer Challenge’s productions. This week, it’s the golden ticket.

Performances will take place in the Bishop Carter Auditorium at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School on Thursday July 18, Friday July 19, and Saturday July 20.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door, or in advance at the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall front office or at Creative Learning. The doors will open each night at 6:00 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:00 p.m.

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.