Student-produced play raises funds for SickKids Hospital
As classes were coming to an end and many students were finishing up their final projects, the cast and crew of “My Hero” were also preparing for their performance weekend.
The student-written play is the story of Stephanie Richards, dance enthusiast and microbiologist, who is attempting to find a cure for cancer using the genes of superhero Parry Perfect. Her path crosses with unlucky super-villain Viktory, and the two form an unlikely bond while trying to develop the cure.
The Ontarion had the opportunity to sit down with the cast and crew members before their dress rehearsal to discuss the show before it opened on April 6 at the George Luscombe Theatre.
Writer and director Josh Mete said he had the project in mind because he thought it was important for theatre students to have opportunities outside of class to practice the art.
“This is a very good example of what students can do on their own,” said Pahlav Bharucha, the show’s stage manager. “We had complete freedom. If someone had an idea, we could run with it.”
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For many of the cast and crew members, this was their final year and they enjoyed the freedom of putting on a play without the constraints of a program-based production.
Mete knew from the first reading with the cast that it would be an experience like no other.
“On and off set, we’re all so close. We’ve created a tight knit family, and I just love this cast,” he said.
Many of the cast and crew members agreed that they witnessed a lot of growth in each other throughout the process.On the growth of the cast and crew, Ashley Healey, who played the role of Stephanie Richards, said, “When you first read a script, there’s so much body language that you’re not getting from the other actors, that as you develop it with each other, you experience more of who your character is and the talents of other actors.”
Nora Cigljarev, who played the role of the super-villain named Viktory, said she was most excited for the audience’s response to the play.
“I think it’s a really funny play,” said Cigljarev. “We have a lot of fun performing it, so my biggest excitement would be getting the audience’s reaction and to know that we were what caused that.”
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While the humour created the initial connections to the story, it was the serious moments that really drew the audience to the characters.
The actors had tapped into a chemistry with each other that was apparent on the stage. The costume designs were interesting, best exemplified by the superhero who was decked out in crocs, and his super-power left to the imagination of the audience.
The ending, which was left deliberately mysterious, left the audience members speculating about what really happened and debating the actual outcome of the play.
It seems particularly fitting that the show will be used to raise funds for SickKids Hospital as many children look to superheroes for inspiration in troubled times. On the decision to donate all of the funds from the door, Mete said it just seemed like the right thing to do.
“I like the idea of giving people a laugh while giving to those in need,” said Mete.
As it is Mete’s final semester at the University of Guelph, his excitement and imagination came through in both the play and in his passion for the show.
“We never really outgrow superheroes and superpowers. We all still want a little escapism, we all still hold onto crazy and strange things. As much as we’d love to go on the streets and shout how much we want to become a superhero, we don’t. But any outlet we can find that embraces that, we tend to lean toward.”
Photos by Sapphire Liu