STORY BY ROSS ANDERSEN
VIDEO BY ERIN QUEENAN
Music filled the air in Macdonald-Heaslip hall as Sheridan Theatre students showcased world-class musicals.
Sheridan held its second annual Canadian Music Theatre Project festival (CMTP) last weekend. Four musicals were performed lasting 45 minutes each, with a 10-minute intermission in between.
The festival features of a series of performances of theatre works, by Canadian and international composers, aimed at making Sheridan a homestead for original musicals.
“It’s an interesting opportunity to see something you wouldn’t normally see from Musical Theatre Performance students,” said Jeffrey Follis, a fourth-year student in the program.
Performances began with scenes from 33 1/3, Atlantis, Leading Lady and Senza Luce.
The festival is produced by Michael Rubinoff, associate dean of the Department of Musical Theatre.
“My work was introduced to Rubinoff, and he invited me to showcase my work at Sheridan College,” said Australian composer Matthew Lee Robinson, writer of Atlantis.
Sheridan is the only Canadian college to act as a base for developing musicals.
“This is Stage 1. Our final goal is to have these musicals recognized worldwide,” said Mychele Lebrun, a fourth-year Musical Theatre Performance student.
Auditions for the musical Atlantis began in April, and rehearsals began in September.
“We rehearsed every day from 2:30 to 9:30 including Saturdays,” said Lebrun.
Since last year, the festival has received recognition from composers worldwide, and that is exactly what the goal is. The Canadian Musical Theatre Festival gives an opportunity for the audience to see what no one else has.
“Our reputation has grown, and this is a flourishing and exciting experience,” said Follis.
Work done behind the scenes is just as important as the musicals.
“It’s our job to make the experience as memorable for the audience as possible,” said Jennifer Johnston, stage manager and second-year Technical Production student.
Technical producers work behind the scenes. They dress completely in black, and remain unnoticed though out the production.
“We try to make the production more magical than what it appears to be,” said Johnston.
Technical Production students’ jobs are to give the musicals smooth transitions and clear audio. Organization is key to success during the performances.
The relationship between the writers, directors and actors can be an intimate one.
“Rather than seeing a polished show, it’s an opportunity to work with a creative individual,” said Lebrun.