Director’s Note – Finding Our Voices
CONTENT WARNING & AUDIENCE DISCLAIMER
Welcome to our production of Finding Our Voices! We are thrilled to share this show with you.
Please be advised that this performance contains:
Fog/Haze – This production uses theatrical fog/haze and gobo lighting effects. These elements may affect individuals with respiratory sensitivities, asthma, or light sensitivity.
Flashing Lights & Sound Effects – including sudden loud noises and strobe lighting that may not be suitable for individuals with sensitivities.
Thank you for supporting our production—enjoy the show!
Show Running Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes with a 25-minute intermission
Director’s Notes:
Welcome to our Cabaret!
A cabaret is a style of performance that brings together a variety of acts, song, dance, storytelling, and character into one shared experience. Unlike a traditional musical, a cabaret gives each performer a moment to shine while still working as part of a supportive ensemble. It is about collaboration, connection, and celebrating individual voices within a team.It only works because everyone shows up for one another. We learn to listen, support, adapt, and create together.
This year has been a year of growth and experimentation. Our students have been building foundational skills in performance confidence, stage presence, teamwork, musicality, storytelling, and resilience. We believe deeply in allowing students space and grace to explore themselves. Progress is not always linear, and theatre is a place where it is safe to try, stumble, learn, and try again.
This season, we also wanted to approach our production a little differently by creating intentional opportunities for collaboration within our department. By including our Food Studies and Music students, we were able to showcase just how multidisciplinary the Integrated Studies department truly is. Bringing these disciplines together reflects how theatre works in the professional world, it is a team effort, and the magic happens when artists from different backgrounds collaborate, support one another, and build something greater than themselves.
Thank you for being here to support our performers. Your presence matters more than you know. We hope you enjoy this celebration of creativity, courage, and community.
Ms. McLim & Ms. Page
Song List & Credits:
ACT I
“Waving Through a Window”
Performed by Calen and Ensemble
Choreography by Ms. McLim & Ms. Page
Show: Dear Evan Hansen
Music & Lyrics: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Original Artist: Ben Platt (OBC)
Licensing: Music Theatre International (MTI)
“My New Philosophy”
Performed by Alexandra and Ensemble
Choreography by Ms. Kelba
Show: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Music & Lyrics: Clark Gesner
Licensing: Concord Theatricals (Tams-Witmark/Samuel French)
“Bad Bad News”
Performed by Calen, Alec, Kate, Gabs, Will, and Ensemble
Choreography by Ms. Matthews-Nichols
Show: 13: The Musical
Music & Lyrics: Jason Robert Brown
Licensing: Music Theatre International (MTI)
“Roar”
Performed by the Ensemble
Choreography by Ms. van Sluys
Artist: Katy Perry
Writers: Katy Perry, Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Henry Walter
Licensing: EMI /Kobalt/Warner Chappell (varies)
Note: Grand rights required for theatrical use
“Seize the Day”
Performed by the Ensemble
Choreography by Ms. Chin
Show: Newsies
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Jack Feldman
Licensing: Music Theatre International (MTI)
ACT II
“A Million Dreams”
Performed by Calen, Alex, and Arissai
Choreography by Ms. McLim and Ms. Page
Film: The Greatest Showman
Music & Lyrics: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Licensing: Fox Film Music / Pasek & Paul Publishing
Note: Grand rights required for theatrical staging
“We’re All Made of Stars”
Performed by the Ensemble featuring Owen and Daxon
Choreography by Ms. Matthews‑Nichols
Artist: Moby
Writer: Richard Melville Hall
Licensing: Little Idiot Music
Note: Grand rights required for theatrical performance
“Middle of a Moment”
Performed by Arissai and Ensemble
Choreography by Ms. Kelba
Show: James and the Giant Peach
Music: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Lyrics: Timothy Allen McDonald
Licensing: Music Theatre International (MTI)
“Stomp”
Choreography by Ms. McLim & Ms. Page
Ensemble and Featured Musicians:
Daxon B., Owen H., Renan P., Aria R., William J., Xavier W.
Finale Medley
Performed by the Ensemble
Choreography by Ms. Chin
“Show the World”
Licensing: Music Theatre International (MTI)
“Raise You Up / Just Be”
From Kinky Boots
Music & Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper
Book: Harvey Fierstein
Licensing: Music Theatre International (MTI)
Cast:
Calen B.
Jaina J.
Harry S.
Marla L.
Rowan C.
Gabs T.
Annika t’H.
Kate Z.
Arissai F.
Malaina B.
Claire R.
Alec A.
Alexandra G.
William O.
Inesa M.
Technical Crew
Brock J.
Emma T.
Jason T.
Gavin F.
Nolan B.
Preston L.
Sera Y.
Sydney A.
Ella S.
Alexa D.
Musicians
Daxon B.
Owen H.
Renan P.
Aria R.
William J.
Xavier W.
Student Chefs
Ita A.
Neva B.
Dom I.
Rachel Q.
Saul R.
Claire R.
Creative Team and Technical Crew
Creative/Technical Directors: Leeanne McLim, Andrea Page
Booth Technical Director: Emilie Haensel
Assistant to the Directors: Dawn Matthews-Nichols
Musical Directors: Gianna Reid-Skelton, Paige Stoffregen
Choreographers: Leeanne McLim, Andrea Page, Tiffany Chin, Dawn Matthews-Nichols, Stacey Kelba, Kelly van Sluys
Master of Illumination: Shane Anderson
Audio Technical Advisor: Steve Fletcher
Production Photographer: Nick Hughes
Student Photographers: Rayne W., Maddox W., Sera Y., Aishwarya V.
Props Coordinator: Julie Williams
Chef and Menu Coordinator: Colleen Brown
Cast Studio Photography: Liz Hrycan
Marketing and Promotions: Nick Hughes, Jelmer Derksen, Samantha Hust
Special Thank You
Our many helping hands have assisted in so many ways. Although unseen, these people are an integral part of this production and so much more:
A huge thank you to Emilie Haensel, our technical boss! From taking on the huge task of managing that tricky cue book, to helping create and build dynamic cues for the show, to training the team in what it truly means to be a stage manager your leadership, organization, and technical skill kept everything running smoothly.
Thank you to our amazing backstage manager extraordinaire, Dawn Matthews-Nichols who has jumped in wherever needed, helped with choreography, and kept everything running smoothly.
Huge thank you to Shane Anderson for sharing his incredible expertise and creative eye while helping us design and hang these fabulous new lights. The glow, the mood, the magic it wouldn’t have happened without your guidance. We are beyond appreciative!
Thank you to Nick Hughes for capturing such fabulous photos throughout our production process. Your support during our tech weeks, your patience behind the lens, and your willingness to always make yourself available to our students truly means so much.
A heartfelt thank you to Colleen Brown, our Calgary Academy chef and foods teacher, along with her incredible Foods students, for the wonderful appetizers and treats prepared for tonight’s performance.
A heartfelt thank you to Morgan Platts for her constant positivity, generosity, and for always checking in to see how she can support our students and team. Your encouragement, kindness, and willingness to give of your time and energy never go unnoticed. We are so grateful for everything you do.
David Cloutier and his Technology for Learning Team for their continuous support with the setup of all the technical needs it takes to put on a successful show.
A big thank you to Liz Hrycan. for all her help organizing and supporting our photography students. Your organization, leadership, and behind-the-scenes magic helped make this production run smoothly, and we are so grateful for your support!
A sincere thank you to Steve Fletcher for all his help setting up sound and microphones, and for coaching and supporting our technical theatre students. Your expertise, patience, and guidance behind the scenes helped bring this show to life—we couldn’t do it without you!
Thank you to Julie Williams, our prop coordinator who solved problems before we even knew they were happening.
Calgary Academy’s Leadership Team for their steadfast and ongoing support of the Drama program.
A heartfelt thank you to Mr. John Lee and his team for keeping our space safe and tidy after each of our late-night shows. Your care and dedication behind the scenes make a huge difference for our students and staff, and we are so grateful for everything you do.
Our front office leading ladies Shab Hirji and Joleen Schneider for all their organization, expertise, and extra costume orders!
The communications team, Samantha Hust, Nick Hughes, and Jelmer Derksen, for some really fun promotional ideas! Thank you for making drama visible and showcasing all the hard work that IS does.
Yvette Schuler, Nona Smith, Annette Moline, and Marla Van Gelder, for all your support with ticket sales and budgets, and for always keeping us in check!
All our student directors, and choreographers for their additional commitment as dance captains and student choreographers.
The teachers of Calgary Academy for their understanding and flexibility with these tired, overworked, and underpaid actors.
Parents, we know that behind every great kid is an even greater parent. Thank you for your support!
The Calgary Academy Cast and Crew’s energy and commitment to making this show succeed.