RND returns to the stage with Disney’s High School Musical
The stage is set for Disney’s High School Musical at Regiopolis-Notre Dame (RND) Catholic High School. After a two-year hiatus, the local high school is ready to present the high-energy large-scale production this weekend.
On June 2, 3 and 4, the cast of 34 students, seven pit band members, 15 stage crew and 12 set designers are ready to thrill audiences with the big on-stage production.
Justine Lord, Musical Director and Head of the Arts Departments at RND said she feels there is nothing in life that recreates the feeling of being on stage and under the lights.
“We’re finally reconnecting with each other and with a live audience! There were so few opportunities for live performance these past few years, what makes this production different than any other, is that for many students, this will be their first on-stage experience,” Lord said.
Known for its arts programming, Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School has been putting on Broadway-inspired musical and non-musical performances annually since 2005, according to a release from the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (ALCDSB). Due to the pandemic, the last on-stage production at RND was Matilda, in December of 2019.
“Working on this production has been an exercise in renewal. So much joy, inspiration and gratification come from working on productions of this caliber. The students have worked tirelessly for weeks at a very rigorous pace, they’ve rehearsed their parts, and they’re ready!” said Volunteer Interim Director, Choreographer, community theatre enthusiast and RND Alumna, Sue Del Mei, who is excited for students to be working in the theatre again.
While school sports returned to a regular schedule in the Fall semester, David DeSantis, Director of Education for the ALCDSB noted the performing arts took longer to be reinstated.
“We are absolutely overjoyed that the staff and students at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School have gone forward with putting on this production,” DeSantis stated. “Our Catholic School Community is very excited to see this talented group of young people take the stage. In the ALCDSB, we believe in building faith-filled learning communities where each member is loved, inspired, and successful. We are both grateful and proud to see this mission in action.”
According to the release, Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School is expecting roughly 800 ALCDSB elementary school-aged children will attend their school audience matinée performances this Wednesday and Thursday.
Public Performances open the evening of Thursday, June 2 and continue through the weekend. ALCDSB provided the following show information:
When:
- Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 4 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where:
RND Cafetorium
130 Russell St.
Kingston, ON
K7K 2E9
Tickets can be purchased online at reginotredame.com.
Evening Performances:
- Adult: $20.00
- Student: $12.00
Matinée Performance:
- Adult: $15.00
- Student: $8.00
- Child (12 and under): $6.00
Read the storyline for High School Musical and order tickets here.