A Carman Collegiate student recently took her acting skills to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People stage.
Jaclynn Knight moved to Carman from Ontario just two years ago, and she’s been making a name for herself in the local theatre scene ever since. The Grade 11 student said she has always loved performing and music, and after playing Annie in her elementary school’s production of Annie, she became enthralled by the world of musical theatre.
When preparing to move to Carman with her family, one of the first things Knight researched was local theatre companies she could join. Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s Musical Theatre Company (MTCO) was at the top of her list, but she missed auditions last year—much to her dismay.
This year, she made sure not to miss out. After emailing MTCO, she learned the company wouldn’t be announcing this year’s musical until after auditions, which were fast approaching—something she wouldn’t have known without reaching out.
MTCO’s production this year was Evil Dead the Musical, a comedic horror musical loosely based on the Evil Dead film series. The show follows five college students who travel to a remote cabin and accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them into demons.
Knight was cast as Ed, the boyfriend of Annie, whose father owns the cabin. Annie repeatedly interrupts Ed any time he tries to speak, leaving him few chances to talk—except through song. Knight said Ed’s solo was one of her favourite parts of the show.
“I had to hold myself back from dancing while I sang it,” she said.
Knight said the experience was rewarding.
“It was really nice working with people just as passionate about the arts as I am,” she said. “Everyone was putting their all into everything, and it was honestly so refreshing.”
She rehearsed with MTCO twice a week from October through April. Evil Dead the Musical was staged four times throughout the month, starting with an invitational dress rehearsal.
While preparing for that show, Knight was also cast in the lead role of Carman Collegiate’s spring play. The one-act comedy follows a frantic casting director with one day to cast a production of Romeo and Juliet—and a less-than-ideal group of actors to choose from. Knight played Carol, the casting director, a passionate, awkward and frenzied character desperate not to fail. The stakes are even higher when she learns the theatre’s fate depends on her success.
Knight said she especially enjoyed the scenes where she got to lose her cool on other characters.
Jaylyn Sigurdson, a teacher at Carman Collegiate and long-time contributor to the spring play, said Knight helped choose this year’s production with “great heart.” Knight has played a lead role in the school’s play every year since arriving in Carman. She also contributes behind the scenes with costumes, direction, props and anything else that needs doing.
The spring play is an extracurricular activity open to students who choose to participate. This year’s production had a cast of 15, with another six students working behind the scenes on lighting, sound, stage management and more.
Typically, the program is offered only to students in Grades 9 and 10, but this year it was expanded to include students from all grades—starting at Grade 6. Sigurdson said the older students acted as mentors to the younger ones, which helped the production come together smoothly.
Due to a Canada Post strike, the students didn’t receive their scripts until just before Christmas break, so the usual March performance was postponed until late April and early May. Rehearsals began in January, with students practising during lunch and after school ahead of the April 29, May 1 and May 3 shows. Sigurdson praised the cast and backstage crew for their commitment.
“We have so many great actors and actresses, and so many other students in the building who are interested in theatre and want to do something other than sports,” she said. “I think this is a great outlet for students who are interested in acting—but not just acting.”
She added that one student, who regularly ran lighting and sound for local productions, is graduating this year, leaving behind a big role to fill.
