Midway through the Calgary run of Les Misérables, members of the show’s cast — adult and child alike — stopped to speak with budding actors, some of whom were even older than the pros playing the student revolutionaries.
As part of Jube School, a week-long visual, technical and performing arts program for students, seven cast members, including five child actors, from Les Misérables connected with Calgary students aged nine and 10. Students were able to ask questions during a formal Q&A and briefly meet the actors afterward.
Daniel Pelton, the arts and community engagement coordinator for the Jubilee Auditorium, said the Les Mis visit is a first for the program.
“The Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium is a great place to do it because it’s such a popular theater and we have Broadway Across Canada shows. We have so many shows coming in and out so often when the kids are in at the same time as a big production, we will send an email and say, ‘Is there any chance that one of your cast members or one of your crew members can come talk to our kids?’” he said.
“This turned into such a wonderful opportunity, because we didn’t just get one or two cast members, we got so many, and we got the kids and we got the grown-ups. This is the first time we’ve had such a big presence and such a focused opportunity for the children. This is almost an unmatchable experience, because especially as a kid, if you’re seeing other kids who are younger than you, doing these big touring productions going all over the world, that really gives you a different idea of what life can be and what you can do.”
During the five-day field trip program, students from grades 1-12 come to the Jubilee Auditorium and get a slice of theatre. This includes acting workshops and dance workshops for onstage skills and lighting and stage tours for behind-the-scenes skills, Pelton told LWC.
Ten-year-old Lily Goroniuk, a Jube School student who asked the actors how they started acting, said the biggest thing she learned from the Les Mis actors is the importance of improv and composure.
“I learned that even when you mess up, you just keep going,” she said.
Goroniuk said she’d love to be an actor and could see herself being a star in a play or movie, something that shouldn’t be unexpected for her parents.
“I’ve asked my mom (to start acting) before and she said, ‘maybe… after your black belt in karate.’”
Grounding moments and being a role model while touring
Before the Q&A, Jaedynn Latter, who plays Éponine, said she was having a tough time predicting what the students may ask her, but was honoured to be part of answering their questions.
“I’m trying to think of what they could possibly conjure up, and I’m trying to imagine what I would be curious about at their age. Arts education is very important, and exposure to the arts at such a young age, that’s how I got into theater, it’s incredibly important,” she said, adding that if the roles were reversed, she would’ve loved to see people working her dream job just to know it’s possible.
“I hope we ignite some passion for music and theater and art and culture.”
As a recent college grad, Latter is still getting used to being a role model.
“It’s a little disorienting to be honest, because I just graduated from undergrad and so this still feels like a dream to me, and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, how did I end up here?’ So it’s still very fresh to me, and I am just so lucky to be here,” she said.
Similarly, Nicole Fragala, who is part of the ensemble and is the understudy for Fantine, hopes students see that goals can be tough, but are achievable.
“I couldn’t hold a note in fifth grade, so it definitely feels like a faraway dream. The fact that these kids are already learning so much about theater in school puts them way ahead of where I was in fifth grade. I’d love to also let them know that they’re right on track,” she said.
“It’s a lot of hard work, but at the same time, it is all just play and especially with the kids on the road with us, they remind us every day to keep that sense of play. So yes, it’s hard work, but at the same time, the world is hard as it is, and we need to keep those inner children alive.”
Les Misérables’ run in Calgary will continue until March 8.
