Cappies: St. Paul High School presents a heartfelt production of Schoolhouse

Show #2: Schoolhouse

Where: St. Paul High School

Director: Meaghan Bennett

Nadine Rizk
Critic, Holy Trinity Catholic High School

St. Paul High School had no trouble bringing the reality of the 1930s to the stage with their heartfelt production of Schoolhouse.The talent brought forward by the cast broke the barrier between acting and actuality. From the accurate depiction of religious practices at schools to the portrayal of students and teachers during the Great Depression, St. Paul High School’s exceptional take on Schoolhouse was one to watch.

Set in 1938, the story follows a young female teacher, Miss Melita Linton, as she struggles to manage a classroom of troublesome students at S.S. #1 Jericho School. Baker’s Creek’s one-room schoolhouse welcomes a young, misunderstood juvenile delinquent fresh out of Battenville Training School. As Ewart Rokosh has difficulty finding his place amongst his fellow students subsequent to his problematic past, Miss Melita Linton goes out of her way to attempt to unveil what seems to be holding him back.

The whole cast’s contagious energy only added more to the incredible characterization that each actor brought forward to the stage! The brilliant cast evoked feelings of hope, compassion, and pity. The comedic timing was on point, relieving some of the sorrowful moments. Miles Houghton flawlessly transitioned from the many emotions that his character conveyed, bringing to life the characteristics and attributes of a caring teacher.

Miles Houghton shook the stage with his incredible rendition of Miss Melita Linton through his impeccable manipulation of the fourth wall and ability to navigate through his character’s emotions and movements. Miles’ stage presence was exemplary, as he maintained the tone that many associate a teacher with. His ability to create a contrast between narrating and interacting with the other actors was an integral part of Miss Melita Linton’s character development. Miles exhibited the versatility of his character with ease while he simultaneously progressed through the stage with purpose and meaning.

Benjamin Shimwa played the primary supporting role of Ewart Rokosh. His vivid representation of Ewart’s nature was both realistic and relatable on many levels. Benjamin’s character’s trauma was characterized by his able delivery through his actions and movements, such as his deep connection with Milton. He provided an insight into the troubles that a traumatized child would experience during the Great Depression. An unforgettable ensemble was that of Russel, Flossie, and Dwight, embodied by Jaden Croucher, Kealey Lahey, and Makylla Sauve, respectively. The ensemble was synchronized and worked as a unit throughout their movements. Their child-like but bullying nature was comical and a joy to observe.

It was an intelligent artistic choice to use the spotlight to draw attention to a single focal point. The choice of music complemented the light-hearted feeling that a school exudes. The music flowed well with the scene changes as it was a good distraction until the stage was promptly transformed into a new, unique setting.

During a time period where scarcity was the reality, St. Paul High School’s rendering of Schoolhouse delivered more than was asked: a truly sensational depiction of life in the 1930s with a mixture of laughter, suffering, and despair.

Elizabeth Kile
Critic, St. Francis Xavier High School

The school bell rang and everyone took their seats as the cast of St. Paul High School took the stage to take us back in time to the quaint and charming countryside of Baker’s Creek, as they captured the audience’s hearts with their performance of Schoolhouse.

Schoolhouse, by Leanna Brodie, follows the young Miss Linton, a brand new teacher who has just received her first assignment:  the SS. #1 Jericho School, a 1 room school house just outside of the fictional town of Baker’s Creek. We follow Miss Linton as she navigates teaching her rowdy new class and attempts to connect with a troubled new student.

Simple yet incredibly captivating would be the best way to describe St Paul High School’s production of Schoolhouse. The crew took the audience back to the 1930s with their well executed construction of the titular schoolhouse itself, and from the moment the cast took the stage they really captured that small town, down home feeling. The entire cast excelled in their roles bringing the energy, humour and heartfelt moments the script called for.

The show’s lead, Miss Linton, played by Miles Houghton, was excellent throughout the performance. Houghton was very consistent throughout, absolutely nailing that teacher voice that any students watching would be all too familiar with. Houghton brought Miss Linton to life with all the small details, from his tone while talking to the children to his perfect balance between strictness and understanding, Houghton nailed the character with his voice and inflections, delivering each line with incredible sincerity. Often seen with the kind hearted Miss Linton was the troubled Ewart Rokosh, played by Benjamin Shimwa. Shimwa shone in this role, seamlessly transitioning from closed off and quiet to emotional and vulnerable to deliver a wonderful performance. Shimwa’s body language throughout the show perfectly displayed the subtle signs of stress, sadness, and building frustration culminating in emotional climaxes or heartfelt moments that drew audible reactions from the audience.

Throughout the show, the audience was treated to delightful performances from the ensemble of mischievous students. From the young bookworm Milton (Simon Boniface), to the bully Russel (Jaden Croucher) to the teacher’s pet Beryl and her tattle-tale little sister (Anne-Victoria Lado and Manuella Lado), the array of different personalities and ages were brought to life by the cast, always adding to a scene even when in the background . Whether it was playing in the schoolyard, bickering and picking on each other, or singing a charmingly offbeat Christmas carol, the students of SS #1 Jericho School were a joy to watch every time they took the stage.

Working hard behind the scenes to bring us this performance was the crew. The handmade set of the schoolhouse consisted of a simple wooden wall complete with a chalkboard, wood stove, and desks. The set perfectly captured the feeling of 1930s schools with details such as a cross and religious pictures on the wall and props such as the handheld chalkboards and old book straps and bags to really bring us back to that country Christian school. The well painted wooden backdrop was versatile and served for multiple scenes both inside and out in the school yard. The makeup was effective, not overdoing it and keeping in mind all of the characters’ ages. All of the students looked young and energetic, and they were easily distinguished from older characters.

The cast and crew of St Paul High school’s Schoolhouse should be incredibly proud of their hard work. They brought the audience a night full of fun and heartfelt moments with their excellent rendition of this bittersweet tale.

Rachel Asrat
Critic, St. Francis Xavier High School

Class is in session! School bells ring, and hopeful young teacher Miss Melita Linton sets out to make her impact on those who need her most: the students at the S.S. #1 Jericho School. In their heartwarming and riveting production of Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse, St. Paul High School’s cast and crew proved that life never stops teaching.

Set in the late 1930s, in the fictional town of Baker’s Creek, Schoolhouse shows the arrival of 18-year-old Miss. Melita Linton at the S.S. #1 Jericho School. After a rocky start, Miss Linton slowly earns the grudging respect of her chaotic group of students. However, things take a turn when Ewart Rokosh from the Battenville Training School joins their class, bringing his dark past with him. Miss Linton is instantly drawn to him, taking it upon herself to give the haunted boy a second chance at life. Filled with religious allusions and poetic expression, Schoolhouse displays the importance of guidance and new beginnings.

The cast and crew at St. Paul High School constructed an immersive and compelling performance. Each and every member of the cast slipped into their characters like a second skin. The talented actors effortlessly portrayed the distinct traits that make the students of the S.S. #1 Jericho School so unique and interesting.

Starring in the role of Miss Melita Linton, Miles Houghton made it impossible to look away. His voice commanded attention, taking on the explanatory tone of all teachers within the classroom. The clever use of stutters and tremors of emotion in Houghton’s voice sold the honesty and vulnerability of every line. His physical acting was another highlight of his performance. Houghton’s carefully chosen motions added a layer of emotional realism, especially in the warm body language towards Ewart Rokosh. All in all, Miles Houghton was a natural fit as the inspirational Miss Melita Linton.

Benjamin Shimwa delivered a heartfelt and moving performance as the wayward Ewart Rokosh, using his silence as a tool in its own right. Loaded pauses between words set the tone of his powerful messages, further enhanced by his distressed vocal tone. Benjamin Shimwa’s portrayal of emotional outbursts were agonizingly genuine. Additionally, Jemima Pelissier provided a cynical sense of humour as Evie Bothwell, long-time friend of Miss Linton. With her casual stance and her loud, outgoing portrayal of her character, Pelissier made a wonderfully memorable addition to the cast of St. Paul High School.

The lighting, coordinated by Bruce Scott, was spot-on, focusing on specific characters to accentuate the tone of the scenes. The backdrop of the wooden walls, created by a team of talented students, were realistic and eye–catching, adding to the authenticity of the small-town rural feel of the show.

Filled to the brim with heart-felt interactions and humorous shenanigans, St. Paul High School’s production of Schoolhouse teaches an important lesson on trust, faith, and second chances.

Hannah Castillo
Critic, Holy Trinity Catholic High School

Filled with compassion, emotion and hope, St. Paul High School delivered a wonderful performance of Schoolhouse. The actors were able to make the stage radiate with emotion as their characters made meaningful connections and formed friendships. Through the darker themes of the play, the actors were able to create a heartfelt atmosphere, never missing that touch of humour.

Schoolhouse is a heartfelt play, set in 1938. It explores the struggles of the Great Depression and the jarring effects it can have. The story occurs in S.S #1 Jericho School, a one-room schoolhouse which is where Miss Linton starts her new job. She is an 18-year-old teacher who is met with the task of educating the somewhat reckless students of this school. Miss Milton is then introduced to Ewart Rokosh, a former reform school student. He is emotionally closed off and Miss Milton struggles to connect with him while he is being continuously excluded by all those around him.

With carefully built and detailed sets, and makeup that accentuated all the characters, the crew and cast of St. Paul High School brought this highly emotional play to life. Actors and crew never missed their cues and the performance was delivered smoothly throughout. Even as the play dived into darker themes, there was a touch of humour to keep things light-hearted and fun.

Miles Houghton did splendidly in his lead role of Miss Linton. He always remained active and in character on the stage. Miles did a fantastic job with his mannerisms and physicality. Things like the way he walked, the way he spoke, and his reactions were extremely well suited to the teacher character he was playing and made the story seem real. His relationship with the other characters on the stage was very well built, allowing for the love, compassion, and hope to fill the stage.

There were many other highlights such as the signature ensemble of Jaden Croucher’s magnificent Russel Yellowlees, Makylla Sauve’s highly entertaining Dwight, and Kealey Lahey’s magical interpretation of Flossie. This trio worked great as an ensemble, always moving and doing things together, with their noticeable friendship, they were able to bring a lot of humour into the play. As well, Alex Wehbe’s outstanding portrayal of Clinton Cochrane brought a lot of comedy to the stage, through his good delivery and great sense of character.

The sets for this performance were enchanting. Movable pieces allowed the audience to be transported from one scene to the other seamlessly. The sets were also anchored by careful detailing: such as the cross to signify the Christian environment; and the details for the teacher’s desk, like the bell and apple. The lighting for this play was very elegant,  there was excellent timing, and it marvellously emphasized the actors’ performance. The sound was well chosen; they used proper and fitting music and good sound effects that made the scenes feel more real.

St. Paul High School’s cast and crew magically performed Schoolhouse. The performance and the actors conveyed a lot of emotion and hope which helped to deliver a strong message. The cast and crew collaborated wonderfully to produce a magnificent play with emotionally troubled characters, conflict, resolution, and hope, always with an enjoyable and remarkable touch of humour.

Chiara Frangione
Critic, St. Pius X High School

The chime of the bells, the laughter of children: these qualities of a school are often overlooked and meaningless to many. Schoolhouse, performed by St. Paul High School created an exhilarating journey of discovering the real meaning of the right to education. This interpretation of Schoolhouse questioned what these chiming bells really meant and what their significance was to a lonely student.

Set during the 1930s, just outside of Baker’s Creek at S.S. #1 Jericho School, Schoolhouse recalls the story of an overachieving teacher newly graduated from Normal School. Miss Linton faces challenges as she is required to teach her lovely, yet rowdy class while pursuing the tough act of straightening out juvenile delinquent Ewart Roksh, sent from Battenville Training School. Miss Linton is perplexed by Ewart Rokosh’s powerful poetry, love of learning and big heart.  Resulting from unfortunate events at Ewart’s farmland, the board of trustees expels him from school. Miss Linton is left thinking about Ewart and how he changed her life and the way school gave him an identity that changed his life.

Miles Houghton embodied Miss Linton flawlessly, capturing her essence of perfection, diligence, wonder and determination. The smoothness of his voice mimicked the teacher’s vocal expression while his tone was informative and well put, making his performance believable and enjoyable. Miles framed the stage with movement and expression. From emotional scenes with Ewart, to angry scenes towards Clinton Cochrane, to disciplinary scenes with the children, Miles was able to show diversity in his acting, performing different scenes of emotional intensity.

There were no actors on the stage, only children, teacher, and locals. The cast did an outstanding job staying in character and living in character. They adopted the storyline and complemented each others’ characters while on set. It was clear that each role had a special and unique characterization.

There were no limits to the realism and creativity on stage. The set of Schoolhouse was cleverly designed. The versatility of the set pieces made transitions between scenes much quicker and more efficient. The beautifully crafted wooden texture on the background of the classroom and the farmhouse allowed for an authentic country experience. The papier maché pumpkins and hand crafted first aid kits suited the play perfectly and brought a refreshing element to the storyline. Jaden Croucher did a great job with the makeup. It suited the time period and the age and gender of the characters.

Schoolhouse performed by St. Paul High School demonstrated the vulnerability and power of the relationship between a teacher and a student, proving the importance of belonging. With its amazing set design and cast, it certainly brought a new perspective to the education system.

About the reviews:

The St. Paul High School production of Schoolhouse was reviewed by 35 critics representing 5 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Marianna Klement of St. Pius X High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Serena McCauley of All Saints High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

Next review: Holy Trinity Catholic High School’s production of And Then There Were None.

About the Cappies:

The Citizen and 18 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.-based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The four winners of the lead acting categories will receive a bursary provided by the international law firm Gowling WLG Canada LLP. Follow the Cappies on Twitter @OttawaCappies.

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