Cathy Dobson
Max Jantz is both a dancer and a writer, but he never knew it until he got involved in his high school’s SCITS Revue.
“I didn’t think I could do anything on the stage,” said Jantz, a Grade 12 student who plans to study engineering next year. “It wasn’t until last year when I took drama that I tried out to be in the SCITS Revue and made the guy’s dance.”
The guy’s dance is a zany, high-energy ensemble act that’s become a SCITS Revue tradition, along with the girls’ kick line. The other tradition is that teacher Dan White is at the helm. He’s been directing for 17 years.
Rehearsals are ramping up this week as the 93rd annual SCITS Revue starts to take shape. Practicing began last fall for some of the acts, but the final two weeks before the show are intense as actors, dancers, singers, costume designers and technical support prepare for opening night on March 5.
The SCITS Revue has been going on more or less for more than 100 years, with breaks during the Second World War and in the early ‘60s, White said.
“The first Sarnia Collegiate opened in 1851 where Kenwick Place is now (on Christina Street) and there was always a show,” he said. “The Revue is so much a part of this school.”
White is one of several SCITS teachers who attended the school as students.
“They come back to teach and insist that the Revue won’t die,” he said.
Jantz and the other students responsible for writing the scripts will soon find out which ones are polished enough to make the final cut. Jantz wrote a whopping 18 skits for this year’s show. Some will make it to the final two-hour production, others won’t.
“I got to dance last year and fell in love with it all,” he said. “I want to be an engineer but now being on stage will be a hobby.”
About 100 students and 12 faculty members are involved with the SCITS Revue, or about 20% of the school.
As showtime approaches, they are rehearsing daily.
“It never looks like it’s going to come together,” said White. “I don’t know how, but it always does.”
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: The 93rd annual SCITS Revue
WHERE: Sarnia Collegiate (SCITS), 275 Wellington St.
WHEN: Three nights. Thursday, March 5 to Saturday, March 7. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Available at the school, from a cast member, at The Book Keeper and Giresi’s
Pizza.
---------------------------------
BAHA’I DOCUMENTARY SCREENING
On Wednesday March 4, the local Baha’i community is hosting a screening of “To Light a Candle,” a new documentary by Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari.
Tickets are free to watch this film about the Iranian government’s refusal to allow members of the Baha’i faith the right to an education. It’s also about the creation of the informal Baha’i Higher Institute of Education.
The film starts at 7 p.m. at Lambton College in Room A208. More than 80 screenings of “To Light a Candle” are scheduled across Canada in March.
For more, visit www.news.bahai.org/human-rights/.
If you’d like to suggest a feature for the Arts Journal, contact Cathy Dobson at 226-932-0985 or [email protected].