Neelin’s ‘School of Rock’ comes to WMCA
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École secondaire Neelin High School is set for an “unforgettable experience” to showcase the talents of its students with the production of “School of Rock.”
The musical, which is running from Wednesday to Friday at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium (WMCA), is based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “School of Rock” hit Broadway adaptation of the 2003 film.
“School of Rock” follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There, he turns a class of straight-A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.
École secondaire Neelin High School Grade 12 student Quinn Bessette (centre), who plays Zoe Mooneyham, the band’s lead guitarist, plays guitar during the cast’s rehearsals on Saturday in the school’s drama studio. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
The show is the result of months of intense work and teamwork involving more than 100 students, teachers and parent volunteers, producer Kristen Yuel told the Sun during the team’s rehearsals on Saturday.
“The show promises an unforgettable experience that showcases Neelin’s deep well of student talent and community spirit,” she said. “We have 60 student cast members who have been working on this since June.
As part of the licensing rights, she said, several of the main characters — Dewey, Zoe, Laurie, Freya, and Ken — play their own instruments live on stage.
“We have a live student band performing in the show, as well as a pit orchestra made up of students and staff,” she said. “It’s really the epitome of triple-threat talent: acting, dancing and singing — all at once.”
The production’s energy extends far beyond the stage. Yuel said the musical has drawn in roughly 26 members on the production team and another 40 students in the hair, makeup and backstage crews.
“It really takes a village to put on a show like this,” she said. “We pride ourselves in giving every student who wants to participate a role — whether that’s on stage or behind the scenes. The sense of community and teamwork is incredible.”
Planning for “School of Rock” began almost a year ago, when the rights to the show were secured last December.
Auditions were held in June, followed by summer preparation and intensive rehearsals starting in September.
“It’s all volunteer time,” Yuel said. “We’ve spent countless evenings, Fridays and Saturdays rehearsing. Between cast, crew and teachers, we’ve easily put in over 75 hours already — and that’s before show week. But it’s a labour of love. This is a Neelin tradition, and we’re proud to carry it on.”
Among those excited for opening night is Grade 12 student Quinn Bessette, who plays Zoe Mooneyham, the band’s lead guitarist.
Acting and singing while playing guitar was a huge challenge, but once you get it, it’s incredibly rewarding, Bessette told the Sun.
“I had to learn guitar from scratch in about three months,” Bessette said. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve done musically, but it was fun and so worth it.”
The entire student band — consisting of guitarists, a pianist, a drummer and a bassist — has put in hours of practice to make the performance authentic, Bessette said.
École secondaire Neelin High School’s "School of Rock" producer Kristen Yuel (centre) sits with other production crew members during the cast’s rehearsals on Saturday. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
“I’m just really excited,” she said. “We have so many talented people in the cast, and the pit band is amazing. It’s going to be an incredible show.”
Fellow cast member Callia Nachtigall, who plays the girlfriend of Dewey’s best friend Ned, said the role pushed her outside her comfort zone.
“My character is very mean and bossy — and I’m definitely not like that in real life,” Nachtigall said. “It’s been fun learning to channel that side of the character. Watching my double, Justenia, really helped me find the confidence to play the role.”
Nachtigall added that she hopes the community turns out in large numbers to support the show.
“It’s such a fun, interactive musical. I think both the cast and the audience are going to have a great time.”
Yuel said “School of Rock” continues Neelin’s long-standing tradition of producing high-quality musical theatre, and this year’s show is no exception.
“We couldn’t do it without our dedicated staff, students, and volunteers,” she said. “It’s a massive time commitment, but the result is something truly magical. The audience is going to be blown away.”
School of Rock runs from Wednesday to Friday at the WMCA at 7 p.m., with two school matinees on Thursday and Friday. Tickets are available through the WMCA box office.
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