Chelsea Woodard cast as Juliet for DIWC musical Chelsea Woodard will take the stage as Juliet for the Do It With Class musical, "Romeo and Juliet". It is a rewarding and "challenging" role for Woodard, who is in her last year of Do It With Class.
Chelsea Woodard cast as Juliet for DIWC musical
Chelsea Woodard will take the stage as Juliet for the Do It With Class musical, "Romeo and Juliet". It is a rewarding and "challenging" role for Woodard, who is in her last year of Do It With Class.
The Regina-based youth performance group will stage Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" from Tuesday, Feb. 14 to Thursday, Feb. 16 in the round of the Conexus Arts Centre.
"I am double cast with another girl, so we have split up the six shows (three matinees and three evenings)," explained Woodard. Chelsea will take the stage as Juliet during the opening and closing nights, and the matinee on Feb. 15.
"Two evening performances is wonderful, I am quite pleased with that," said Woodard. She noted that residents should try to get their tickets soon, especially if they are considering the closing performance because that particular show sells out quickly.
The other thing that ticket buyers should know is that the matinee performances for "Romeo and Juliet" are already sold out, as they are offered to school groups at a special rate.
Do It With Class always has their own unique spin to their performances, and "Romeo and Juliet" will be set in a post-apocalyptic setting.
"The idea is that another world war has occurred, when everyone has all this nuclear energy. Of course, there is this feuding and fighting between the Montagues and Capulets," said Woodard.
The play focuses on the new generation, who don't understand why they hate each other. "Any of the music we have in it is modern music," said Chelsea. "There is heavy techno music, and some rapping. The music is all an original score, and it is very interesting."
There are also lifestyle differences between the two families. "The Montagues are a more urban family, and their clothing is hard and edgy, while the Capulets are a more rural family, and their clothing are more earthy and hippiesque."
Chelsea had to learn stage fighting for this musical. She had the opportunity to work with professionals for both the costuming and stage fighting. "It was great working with people who have a passion for their career," said Woodard.
This is the first time that Do It With Class has performed a Shakespeare drama. "We will have to pull off the drama, there is a lot of heavy stuff and it will be a great challenge," said Chelsea. "There is such a fine line between it being cheesy or being believable. It is a whole different dimension that we are in."
"Juliet is so young, and it is strange to act younger than I am," said Chelsea, adding that it is one of the more difficult aspects of playing the part.
In the play Juliet is age 13, but Chelsea noted that because of the post-apocalyptic setting, "it still makes sense for people to be falling love at that age."
This is Chelsea's last year with the Do It With Class program, and she called it an "end of an era. When I finally have to say goodbye, it will be difficult."
After spending six years in the program, Chelsea feels that she has "grown up so much" as a performer. "When I started out before I was in the company, I would always make up my own musical theatre numbers for when I was taking voice lessons and I was okay at it."
Attending the youth performance company allowed Chelsea to develop even further. "It was a development of who I was, and the development of my performance ability. Really, I think that my teachers and my friends (at Do It With Class) really shaped me as a person."
The opportunity also allowed Chelsea to experience the performing arts world, and make contacts with those in the business.
"I was really lucky to work with people in the business, as far as musical theatre and opera are concerned. They have a lot of first-hand experience."
Chelsea had a lot of positive things to say about the staff and other performers at the Do It With Class program. "They are so encouraging, and they want us to succeed. Everyone has each other's back, and it is a helpful and welcoming atmosphere."
There is also growing interest from Weyburn youth in the Do It With Class program. Sisters Taylor and Jayda Cameron, along with Chelsea, will work together for "Seussical", the musical set for April. Parts for this musical, which ends the season for the Do It With Class group, have not yet been released.
"It's nice to have your own Weyburn connection there with you, understanding what I have been raving about and been so happy about for so long," said Chelsea. "They are so determined, and so passionate. They have so much spunk and hold their own."
In addition to rehearsing for "Romeo and Juliet", and starting practicing for "Seussical", Chelsea will be busy in the next couple of months with the Weyburn Music Festival, Regina Music Festival, auditioning for universities, participating in the Comp spring musical and graduating from Grade 12 in May.
