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Wi-Fi for Library Branches

Islanders can now log on to free Wi-Fi at any of the province’s 26 lib....

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Visitor’s Guide Available

Visitors planning a trip to Prince Edward Island can now receive a copy ....

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French Summer Camps

Now is the time to register for CPF-PEI French summer camps. Students ag....

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Active Communities

7th Atlantic Summer Institute (ASI) will be held at Holland College, Cha....

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UPEI Credit Course on Ecological Forestry

This week-long course is a great way to learn more about the Acadian for....

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Cuba Fall 2012

Join a 10-person group travelling to Las Tunas (near Holguin), Cuba, for....

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Be a Host Family

Ten Japanese children aged 12–16 hope to spend a month this summer wit....

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Income Tax Assistance

If you are in a low-income bracket and your tax situation is straightfor....

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Scholarships for Island Women

The Canadian Federation of University Women will offer one undergraduate....

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Watercolour/Acrylic Workshop

James E. Pay, SCA, UA will be conducting a 5-day all mediums art workshop J....

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Needle Arts Events

Northern Lights Quilt Guild meeting/workshop takes place at the O’Lear....

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Taste Our Island Nominations

ADAPT Taste Our Island Nominations are open. If you know of Island resta....

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Half-price Parks Passes

Season passes for the Park Canada can be purchased at 50% off until June....

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Stratford Public Library Events

Origami Club Wed at 6:30 pm. Learn Japanese paper folding with 3 new fol....

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Seniors Active Living

Upcoming events for the Seniors Active Living Centre are:

Yard S....

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Nominate Volunteers

The Voluntary Resource Council (VRC) of PEI is inviting non-profit organ....

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MS Carnations for Mother’s Day

May is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and the MS society is selling ....

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CUSO Internships

Cuso International has Internships open in Charlottetown for people with....

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Host Japanese Youth

The non-profit Japanese youth organization LABO offers a language learni....

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Cuba Fall 2012

Join a 10-person group travelling to Las Tunas (near Holguin), Cuba, for....

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Beaconsfield Open for Tours

Beaconsfield Historic House, Ch’town, stands as a symbol of Victorian ....

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Coro Dolce Has Room for Members

Coro Dolce (Sweet Chorus) is hoping to attract some new members. This is....

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Architectural Walking Tours

Volunteers in training with the Institute for Architectural Studies and ....

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Compost Sale

Come Grow With Us! Annual St. Mark’s Compost Sale will be held on thre....

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Victoria Day Birding

On May 21, Birding on PEI is inviting artists, photographers, biologists....

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PEI National Park Student Art Contest

Prince Edward Island National Park invites students in grades 4 to 6 from a....

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The Music Lives On

A new concert series, “The Music Lives On,” will run every Monday ev....

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Sean Casey Town Hall

On May 22, 7–9 pm at The Guild in Charlottetown, join Sean Casey, Char....

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PEI Home Economics Assoc AGM

Home Economists, as well as those who have graduated from Family and Nut....

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Scholastic 50% Off Book Fair

The Scholastic 50% Off Book Fair will be held at West Kent Elementary Sc....

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Prince Co Hospital History Circle

The Summerside and Area Historical Society will host their next oral his....

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Self-Care for Superwomen

KidsWest and Family Violence Prevention will host Self-Care for Superwom....

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Finding Your Voice

Finding Your Voice (and Earning a Buck) Through Genre Writing: PEI Write....

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Anderson House Dinner & Auction

The Inn at St. Peters will hold its 9th Annual Anderson House Fundraiser....

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QEH/EastLink Telethon

May 26–27 the QEH/EastLink Telethon will showcase Island entertainment....

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Collaborative Decision Making and Problem Solving

The PEI Coalition for Women in Government will be offering workshops for....

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PEISO Serenade to Spring

The PEI Symphony Orchestra will host its annual “Serenade to Spring”....

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Urban Farming

Go!PEI, Charlottetown Parks and Recreation Department, and Inspired Farm....

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Aquaculture CanadaOM 2012

PEI will host Aquaculture CanadaOM 2012, a national meeting of the Aquac....

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Downtown Residents

The Charlottetown Downtown Residents Association will meet May 29 at 7 p....

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Best Interests of Children

The Best Interests of the Children in Custody and Access Course will be ....

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PEI Humane Society Dinner Bowl

The PEI Humane Society’s annual fundraising dinner, silent auction and....

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Art in the Open Submissions Wanted

The steering committee for the Art in the Open Festival has announced a ....

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Island Literary Awards Seeks Submissions

The PEI Writers’ Guild is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of The Isla....

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CBI Hustle for Hunger

As a part of their 6th annual food bank fundraiser, the CBI Health has a....

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Lobster Supper to Go

Trinity United Church Annual Take Out Lobster Supper will be held June 6....

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'Great Day' Fore Health

The Rotary Club of Charlottetown Royalty, together with the Queen Elizab....

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PEI History of Medicine Society Meeting

All are welcome to attend the first meeting of the PEI History of Medici....

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Family Place at Farmer's Market

Creation Station has themed crafts for the whole family on Sat from 9:30....

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Conversation About Addiction

The Island Addiction Movement is hosting a community conversation with f....

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Benefit Dinner for G’ma Circle

The Landmark Cafe, in Victoria-by-the-Sea, will be the venue for a benef....

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Yoga, Ayurvedic & Meditation

Marian Curran, RMT, CYI, CCA will be offering a Mini Workshop,  "In....

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Gymnastics Summer Camp

Island Gymnastics Academy is running gymnastics camps on PEI this summer....

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Family Place Summer Fun

Themed playgroups take place on Wednesdays from 9:30–11:30 am at Famil....

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Georgetown Battle of the Bands

Georgetown is inviting bands to play at the 1st Battle of the Bands even....

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PEI Summer Arts Auction

Gallery 18’s 5th PEI Summer Arts Auction will be held Sept 16. Gallery....

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Home | Articles | Stage | Sugar Plums Dance
December 2011
Sugar Plums Dance
Spotlight Theatre company stages The Nutcracker at Harbourfront

Summerside Scene
by Peggy Miles

Krysten Cameron, Allison Grimes, Jason Nicholson, Nadine Pineau (photo: Peggy Miles) Krysten Cameron, Allison Grimes, Jason Nicholson, Nadine Pineau (photo: Peggy Miles) You’re familiar with the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” right? Even if you don’t know the song title, I can guarantee you’ve heard the Tchykovsky tune. YouTube it for a reminder…it’s one of those songs that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit and well, invokes visions of sugar plums dancing in your head.

If you’re craving the full Tchaikovsky experience, Summerside’s Spotlight Theatre Company is staging The Nutcracker at the Harbourfront Theatre on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10. The story is based in the late 1800s and follows young Marie and her journey though Toy Land after receiving the gift of a nutcracker. Through the magic that the nutcracker possesses he attempts to break the curse of the evil mouse queen and win back his love. The story will unfold as a musical theatre adaptation of the famous ballet.

I recently got a sneak peak at the costumes and they are amazing! Designed and created by the mother of Spotlight Theatre owner Reasha Walsh, the costumes include a regal soldier, a clown whose drum is permanently attached to its midsection and a gingerbread man whose head looks so delicious you could take a bite right out of it.

Staging a Christmas show has been on Walsh’s mind since last February when she began reading scripts and exploring options for a holiday production. Auditions began in August and rehearsals have been taking place since September.

A true community theatre production, the show involves a local cast of various ages, as well as a volunteer team assisting with logistics. “Every time I begin a new project I get to see the progression of the actors. Especially the new ones coming to the first rehearsal with terror in their eyes and then building up their confidence and performing onstage in front of 500 people. It is absolutely amazing,” indicates Walsh. She also shares that for actors who have participated in previous performances, it’s an opportunity for them to learn new skills and adapt to new conditions since each show is unique.

“I believe in teaching and nurturing skills. I always take directing from the standing point that everyone is there to learn, including myself.”

Walsh’s objectives in staging the show are dual purpose: “The objectives are simple but I believe really important. One is to provide local entertainment that the whole family can enjoy and hopefully to inspire budding actors. Two, is to offer local actors and artists an opportunity to stage a show. Our productions are open to anyone who would like to audition.”

She is excited about the experience her audience will have. “Nutcracker is a wonderful family story that brings magic to life and captures the Christmas spirit. It has wonderful characters and beautiful music.”

 
 

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