Before the Christmas break, students and staff at École Parkside School decided to leave on a festive note by presenting the play The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on Dec. 18.
Based on the book by Barbara Robinson, this classic features a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant when they are faced with casting the Herdman kids—probably the most inventively awful kids in history.
There is lots of confusion, mayhem, and fun when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas, but ultimately it’s the Herdmans who open their eyes to the true meaning of the story.
The Parkside production was directed by teachers Sarah Friesen-Maguet and Courtenay Yeo-Thiessen.
Friesen-Maguet said the simple, yet meaningful show was intended to give the newer drama students a chance to perform for a live audience.
“We have 40 kids in drama this year and knowing we weren’t going to do a big production right away, we thought we’d do something a little simpler so they could get some acting experience.”
Students were involved in everything from props and costumes to set design and performing.
Now that they know they have a group of talented youngsters willing and able to perform, Friesen-Maguet says they are bouncing around ideas for a larger production next year.
“We have a lot of kids who are really excited about drama now, so we want to give them an opportunity to learn and really get involved.”
