The Little Drama Club that Did ADHS Scores Big at the Cappies Again - theHumm July 2019
The Little Drama Club that Did ADHS Scores Big at the Cappies Again - theHumm July 2019
By — Pippa Norman is graduating from ADHS this year and will be going on to pursue a Bachelor of Journalism at Carleton University next fall
Whoever coined the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” must have done so after attending a rehearsal for one of Almonte & District High School Drama Club’s plays. The village being Almonte, and the child being the play.
If you were to attend one of the rehearsals yourself, you would feel as if madness had descended upon you. Student actors fervidly run lines; community volunteers sew seams, drill screws and climb ladders; and director Jennifer Sheffield barrels around the room as if she were a runaway roller coaster. You may question the method behind this mania, but if you were to ask any one of these madmen, they would tell you that this is exactly what makes an ADHS theatre production authentic. Every single person there attends completely upon their own accord. Whether it’s the students who show up for daily 3-hour rehearsals outside of school hours, the volunteers who sacrifice their weekends to lend a helping hand, or Ms. Sheffield, who invests her entire being into this production every year, it is important to note that there is no materialistic compensation for any of these roles. Students do not receive additional credit, community members do not receive pay, and Ms. Sheffield is still expected to be present in her science classroom when the morning bell rings at 8am. Despite the level of lunacy that these productions bring about, the ADHS Drama Club never fails to produce quality entertainment year after year. In fact, the plays of ADHS have become so renowned that their audience has begun to draw from far beyond the borders of its “village” and into the heart of Canada’s capital city’s high school theatre collective.
The Cappies is a program based in thirteen cities across the United States and Canada that shines a spotlight on high school theatre; not only for actors and actresses, but also for aspiring journalism students. To join The Cappies a high school must have at least three Cappies critics. Although some schools often field over twenty critics, it has always been a small struggle for ADHS to meet this requirement. A Cappies critic must attend at least three shows put on by other schools within their chapter, engage in pre- and post-show discussions, and write a review, often within the next 24 hours. That review will then be considered for publication in the Ottawa Citizen. At the end of each season, the critics cast votes in multiple categories, and a Tony-like gala is held at the NAC to hand out the awards. As a Canada’s Capital Cappies school, our critics from ADHS must travel for nearly an hour or more into Ottawa to attend these shows. Consider how taxing a task this quickly becomes for our critics and their chauffeuring parents. Without our critics’ team, Almonte’s presence amidst the high school theatre scene of Ottawa would be non-existent. As Ottawa is one of only three chapter cities in Canada, it’s an honour for Almonte to be a part of this program.
This drama club has a long history, starting in the gymnasium at ADHS and recently finding their way into our old town hall. These shows have always been notable, but lately they have become something of a marvel. Almonte has become a “buzz word” within The Cappies community. Critics from other schools vie for seats, and an entire community now awaits the annual production with much anticipation. Ms. Sheffield brings an unparalleled sense of vigour and zeal to the club that a director with her resources would normally have to dig down pretty deep to find. Each year she announces her plans for the upcoming production, and is always met with the same response: “Are you for real?” Due to lack of dependable funding, the absence of an actual drama class to work with, and a scarcity of new materials at her disposal, her ambition is often mistaken for absurdity. Nevertheless, she perseveres, and with her community backbone, always manages to impress. When ADHS puts on a play, the heart of an entire community beats throughout it. This is a phenomenon unique to Almonte, and it explains why the residents of Ottawa have recently started to plan their spring road trips around a high school production in an old town hall.
After winning Critic’s Favourite Play last year and walking away with the Lead Actor award this year, on top of numerous other nominations and awards, the theatre scene at Almonte District High School is simply bursting at the seams with talent and potential. Audiences have been known to speak of their experiences as if they had just attended a Broadway show in the Big Apple. So next spring, when you are looking to book tickets to New York or London for a fantastical spectacle, consider saving yourself some money, and explore the award-winning theatre productions of the ADHS Drama Club within walking distance of your very own backyard.
The Ladies’ Foursome Teeing Up for July 4th Opening at Studio Theatre - theHumm July 2019
By — Paul Joyce
It’s that time of year again, when the rattle of expensive metal is heard coming from car trunks and when spouses disappear for hours at a time, reappearing with sunburns, bug bites, and either smiles, scowls, or looks of quiet resignation.
Yes, it’s golf season.
For the final show of its 2018/19 series of plays, Studio Theatre Perth presents The Ladies’ Foursome, a Norm Foster comedy that will make you love the game, even if you, well, currently hate your game.
......
Stewart Park Festival 2019 Amazing Line-Up and So Much More! - theHumm July 2019
From folk-rock powerhouses to a third-generation country star, the 2019 Stewart Park Festival line-up is set to be an unforgettable one.
The Small Glories and Kelly Prescott are just some of the names performing at the 28th annual festival taking place in Perth from July 19–21. Festival goers will also get to see Connie Kaldor, Élage Diouf, Shakura S’Aida, Keith Glass and Andy Irvine on stage.
After months of crafting the line-up, Artistic Director James Keelaghan says he’s th......
A House of Good Taste - theHumm July 2019
By Sebastian Weetabix
Like many things related to food (or at least food in our part of the world), the term “restaurant” originated in France. It originally applied to the fare (it was “restorative”), but by the 17th century it had come to mean an establishment where one could eat a meal and pay for it. Eating “out” as a common practice for common folk has its roots in travel and the need for refreshment en route. Those who provided it were, rightly, termed restorers or restaurateurs. Their establishments came......
The Arresting Art of Fred Fowler - theHumm July 2019
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
It’s invigorating to meet someone who challenges your subconscious prejudices. I was surprised to learn that Fred Fowler, outgoing President of the Rideau Lakes Artists’ Association, is a retired Toronto cop. There’s absolutely no reason an ex-cop can’t be a good artist, yet meeting him and seeing his eclectic art definitely expanded my awareness of the influence the mass media has on our preconceptions.
Acrylics, watercolours, oils, monotypes, photographs — Fowler wor......
Almonte House & Garden Tour Fundraiser for the MVTMand Riverwalk Extension - theHumm July 2019
Who doesn’t enjoy looking at other people’s homes and gardens? What better way to spend a summer day and get inspired!
On Saturday, July 27 from 10am to 5pm you’ll be able to tour seven of Almonte’s most interesting homes and three outstanding gardens. The tour is a fundraiser for the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum and the extension of Almonte’s popular Riverwalk.
In the 1890s Almonte was a thriving mill town. Its six textile mills employed most of the town’s residents, with the ......
The Little Drama Club that Did ADHS Scores Big at the Cappies Again - theHumm July 2019
By — Pippa Norman is graduating from ADHS this year and will be going on to pursue a Bachelor of Journalism at Carleton University next fall
Whoever coined the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” must have done so after attending a rehearsal for one of Almonte & District High School Drama Club’s plays. The village being Almonte, and the child being the play.
If you were to attend one of the rehearsals yourself, you would feel as if madness had descended upon you. Student actors fervidly run lines; community volunteers sew seams, drill screws and climb ladders; and director Jennifer Sheffield barrels around the room......
Determination and Resilience - theHumm July 2019
By Jill McCubbin
For the last few months, library news has focussed on the Ford government’s cuts to the Ontario Library Services Budget — and the dismantling of the inter-library loan (ILL) system. The “new norm......
Midsummer HerbFest At the Waba Cottage Museum & Gardens - theHumm July 2019
This year’s Ottawa Valley Midsummer HerbFest is being held on Sunday, July 28 from 9am to 4pm — rain or shine. The location is the Waba Cottage Museum & Gardens in White Lake, just an ho......
Celtfest is Coming! - theHumm July 2019
By — Susan Ryan
While we are not entirely sure where spring went, I think we can all agree that Summer 2019 has officially arrived. For many, this marks the beginning of a wonderful time of year with long-awaite......
Pride of Place Carleton Place Pride Festival - theHumm July 2019
Carleton Place resident and Pride organizer Byron Wilson is happy to announce that the town will be celebrating their second annual Pride Festival on Saturday, July 20 from 11am to 4pm at......
Stellar Summer Art Events - theHumm July 2019
By Miss Cellaneous
The Four Brushes’ Début
Looking for some new local talent in the art world? Why not come out and meet Dawn Fortin, Barbara Jordan, Linda Svarckopf and Christine Martin......
Festival of Small Halls 2019 Celebrating Big Canadian Music in Beloved Small Places - theHumm July 2019
More halls — check. Big music — check. Magical moments and musical memories — you betcha.
The Ontario Festival of Small Halls plants inspired, decorated and mind-blowing artists into rural h......
A Country Studio Visit - theHumm July 2019
By — Susan Berlin
We will have summer by July, and summer means — among other things — studio visits. We’d love to have you come to see us on Saturday, July 20 from 10am to 4pm at the Fibre Work Studio, locat......
Coping with Stage Fright and Nervousness - theHumm July 2019
By Tony Stuart
There are incredible benefits that come with being a musician. However, this job has its side effects as well. According to studies, about twenty-five percent of the general population deals with......
Summer Entrepreneur Brings STEM to Local Kids - theHumm July 2019
Beckwith Ontario is known for its rural warmth and close agricultural community, but did you know it is also a hub of STEM activity (science, technology, engineering and math)? Gabe Braden, a rec......
Perth Paints the Summer Spectacular! - theHumm July 2019
By John Pigeau
Perth is such a lovely town in the summer. Especially in the summer. There are so many fun and interesting things to do: cycling the old streets, paddling about in the restful Tay Basin, str......
Rosa Rugosa (Or, Pink Promise Peeking Through a Sepal Case) - theHumm July 2019
By Susie Osler
There is a frantic energy to this time of year. The explosion of growth and green coupled with the energy and warmth of sunshine leads to a commensurate output of manic gardening energy that seem......
The Great Carleton Place Amazing Race - theHumm July 2019
Come on out on Sunday, July 28 from 11am to 4pm and spend the day exploring downtown Carleton Place! Taking place at Market Square and all around the town, The Great Carleton Place Amazing R......
Sunshine, Neighbours, and All that Jazz… - theHumm July 2019
By — Angie Arendt is the Director of Big Stone House: a Center for Courageous Living in Almonte <bigstonehouse.ca>
It was the middle of August and the middle of the day. The sun was shining bright, the dog was attempting to cool down on the tile floor, and I was chopping watermelon in the kitchen when the doo......
Fall Prevention Course Failure… - theHumm July 2019
By Glenda Jones
We’re devotees of the Strength and Balance course offered by the Mills Community Support. (Note: if you are as old as the land line phone, you need to check out these courses. More on this in Aug......
Oh Canada Eh? Ottawa Dinner Show Features Valley Musicians - theHumm July 2019
An interactive theatre experience that celebrates the Great White North and pokes fun at Canadian stereotypes will hit the stage in the nation’s capital for the summer.
The Oh Canada Eh? Din......
Culture Camp Breakfast Fundraiser - theHumm July 2019
The best breakfast fundraiser returns to Perth on July 6! Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and the Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation are holding a fundraising breakfast in s......
From Under the Umbrella Tree to Sleeping Rough… Valley Puppeteers Return to Music and Beyond - theHumm July 2019
Last July, the opera Sleeping Rough premiered at Ottawa’s Music and Beyond festival to standing ovations and critical acclaim. Composed by jazz guitarist Roddy Ellias and with a libretto by poet/......
Magical Saturdays in Smiths Falls - theHumm July 2019
The Station Theatre is bringing the world-class magic show OUTERBRIDGE – Clockwork Mysteries to Smiths Falls on Saturday evenings throughout the summer. Critics across the globe have hailed Ted a......
5 Wednesdays in July The Little Music Festival that Could! - theHumm July 2019
By — Jeff Mills
Every now and then there are five actual Wednesdays in July, and 2019 is one of those years. The friends of Augusta Street Park are gearing up for their wonderful little music festival “5 Wednesd......
Fun, Fairs & Festivals! - theHumm July 2019
By Miss Mills
It’s finally summer! After a long winter and delayed spring, we have stumbled out of our holes, squinted into the sun, and are only just feeling secure enough to leave our jackets at home. Summer......
Apr 20 Perth Trashure Hunt Clean-up
Apr 20 Solitary Man
Apr 27 Festival of the Maples
Apr 27 The Moth Project
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 4 Outskirts
May 5 Music at Mera: The Andrew Collins Trio
May 11 - 12 Art in the Attic
May 11 Engelbert Humperdinck & Tom Jones Tribute
May 16 MMLT Talk & AGM
- IS THIS A PROTEST?
- A Classic Whodunnit Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee at Studio Theatre
- Readers, Writers, and Poets
- Celebrate Indigenous Culture in CP
- Celebrate the ClassicsWith the Arnprior Choir
- 4F Auction Concoction Food, Fun, Fashion & Favourites
- Cheerfully Made Spring Market
- Electrify to Decarbonize Lanark
- Volunteer Forum
- Frankenstein Comes to The Station Theatre
