by Izzie M., Grade 11
This past Sunday, Elmwood Theatre stole the second largest stage in Canada with their production of Clue: High School Edition.
Students performed a scene from the show as part of the annual Capital CAPPIES Gala, an awards ceremony which serves to highlight the achievements of both high school critics and actors alike throughout the year.
As a part of the CAPPIES program, participating critics from across the Ottawa region sit down and view a variety of different high school productions, both musicals and plays alike, and then score and write a review for each show. At the end of the year, critics use these scores to vote for the shows they’ve seen across a variety of tech and acting categories, such as sets or lead actors. These nominations are then tallied together and used to determine the top five schools and their nominees for each category.
This year, Elmwood received an impressive 9 nominations:
- Sound - Sofia H.
- Sets - Madeleine T., Jenna W., Charlotte P.
- Stage Management - Daria K., Rebekah O, Catherine D., Julia B.
- Ensemble - The Dinner Guests- Kacey F-R., Charlotte P., Kaede T., Frieda K-M., Rowyn P., Clarissa L.
- Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play - Naomi B.
- Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play - Kaede T.
- Supporting Actor in a Male Role in a Play - Rowyn P.
- Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play - Aurae R.
- Critics Favourite Play - Clue: High School Edition
Izzie Morgan also received a CAPPIES Medal of Commendation for their work as assistant director this year.
With the nomination for favourite play, Elmwood was ranked as one of the top ten shows in Ottawa, and our talented cast was invited to show off their acting skills on the big stage!
After a long afternoon of rapid preparation, including line reviews, makeup application, costume fitting, and set-redecorating, Elmwood had a brief rehearsal with the wonderful NAC theatre techs, where they were able to get a taste of what it would be like to work with a professional production. After a run through of the night with the other nominees, and much needed Subway dinner, the Gala was ready to commence!
Nominees walked down the NAC’s iconic red stairs to the cheers of an excited crowd, took fun photos with their teams in beautiful outfits, and then participated in a processional into Southam Hall to the song of the CAPPIES Chorus, celebrated by a room of family, directors, and friends alike — the energy in the room was unmatched!
The night was filled with energy and joy, and although Elmwood didn’t win this year, the passion and dedication that all members of the production showed were truly commendable, whether in cheering on award winners, engaging excitedly with other shows' excerpts, or hyping each other up as they prepared for their scene (which was absolutely incredible!!).
The excellence displayed by Elmwood Theatre this year was defined by its sense of community and genuine enjoyment.
We would like to thank the facilities team for helping us shape the stage. Ms. Piché for supervising late-night rehearsals, Ms. Lim and Ms. Al for awesome photos, and Ms. Ellison for creating the wonderful fridge. Thank you to our hair and makeup team (Vivian M., Alexis F D., Julia B.) for dedicating so much time and skill to this production backstage. Warren Pratte for transporting sets to and from the NAC, Mr. Whitehouse for cheering us on, and every single family or community member who showed up to support our show. Thank you for believing in us and for all you did to help make this night possible. Every great action has an even greater community behind it!
Finally, the largest thanks to Ms. Maitland. The impact that you’ve had on this cohort of young theatre lovers cannot be overstated. Thank you for putting both your heart and time completely into this show, for filling long rehearsal periods with humour and joy, and for giving us, as young artists, the space to make choices and define our creative voice. You are the reason that this show was at all what it turned out to be, and you will be so missed next year!
To the entire cast and crew of Clue. This year, you have worked hard, and your effort has been seen. You have all had a part in creating something hilarious, slightly murderous, and incredibly spectacular. It was Elmwood in the Theatre with the Show, and it absolutely rocked!!