An enthusiastic group of high school students bustled about Estevan Comprehensive School’s drama room in the midst of a rehearsal for their upcoming production Humbug High on Dec. 16 and 17.
“They’ve really committed to coming in everyday and practicing,” said Evanne Wilhelm, a drama teacher at ECS.
The students have been rehearsing for about a month, following an all-call put forward by Wilhelm in search of individuals interested in putting together a Christmas play. Following a few meetings with those who answered the call, a script was selected and rehearsals quickly got under way.
“The kids really liked the idea of having the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future,” Wilhelm said.
Humbug High is a slightly different take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and follows Eddie Scrooge, a 17-year-old grouch who dislikes many things, his parents and school included. One day, Madge, the lunch lady who passed away, pays Scrooge a visit alongside the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future. Together, they try and show Eddie the error of his ways.
Wilhelm noted that Humbug High will be performed on a thrust stage, which means audience members will be seated on three sides.
“It’s probably something a lot of people haven’t really experienced before,” she said.
Wilhelm complimented the students’ initiative and excitement surrounding the production, and said she’s largely left a lot of the decision-making to the students.
“I’m just a facilitator,” she said after mentioning how the students, consisting of junior and senior students, also voted to decide who would be casted.
Opening night will be 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 and they will repeat on Dec. 17. Tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds go to the Salvation Army for families in need at Christmas.
