Pope John Paul revered by actor

Stony Plain school Crusader play honours namesake

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Stony Plain

The students of John Paul II Catholic School, May 1-2, marking the 20th anniversary of the school's

foundation, staged Crusader, an hour and a half musical drama.

"It was hard playing the pope at first, but when I started getting into it, it became a little bit easier," Stephen told the WCR.

Although that was his second time performing before a huge crowd, Stephen was totally nervous. "But when I started to get into it, I started to know what to do."

From line memorization with the help of his parents, to watching a video on the pope, to learning how to put his hands together and act like a pope, Stephen prepared for his role.

"I admire the way the pope acts. He is not really the type of guy that you'd expect him to be. I see him as a totally different person. You'd expect the pope to be up there always serious and always praying. But he is a guy who plays with everyone."

Teacher Donncha O'Callaghan thought it would be significant to do something about the pope, because he is the school's namesake. "I just thought that his life is such an amazing story," the director of the play said.

Crusader traced the life of the Holy Father from his boyhood, war years in Europe, his rise in the hierarchy as bishop, cardinal and eventually a pope to the years of bringing changes in the world. O'Callaghan was driving to Prince George when he got the idea about the musical.

"We have a purpose, a goal besides the everyday teaching." - Cory Kulak-Berndt

When he came back to Stony Plain in September, he shared the idea with other teachers. It was well received. They started writing the songs and the script and by November, they were auditioning the cast. "It just seemed to have taken it's own life and we went from there."

The project started as an after school activity. They started rehearsing two days a week after class, but then they had to rehearse during lunchtime. Different groups came on different days.

With the change of after-school activities climate in the province, it was fortunate the school was just beginning a musical theatre option in class for the students.

The play became an option for the students, allowing the production team to make changes with their timetable.

O'Callaghan agreed the production is more of a Junior High type of play. "Looking back now, these guys are all 10-11 years old. But they displayed their talents really well. What they were able to do, to me was just amazing."

The biggest challenge for the production is the number of participants. In total they had 74 students on stage while seven students helped back stage, plus 20 more students and staff helping in different capacities.

Christine Vissia was one of the school staff who helped in the production. "Donncha is definitely a man of vision."

Vissia, who did the costumes together with volunteer parents, learned so much with this production, she is prepared to tackle another project like this.

"It was great. It became a community thing - everyone pulling together.

Teacher Cory Kulak-Berndt vowed she would do it again if given the chance. "But I probably will start a lot earlier."

For her, doing co-curricular activities allows everyone to get to know each other better. "You get to know them – students and teachers — on a different level. We come together in a different way. We have a purpose, a goal besides the everyday teaching. You see how much the students enjoyed what they were doing."

Overcome by the sadness that the play was over Kulak-Berndt didn't know what to feel. "It was a mix of emotions."

Josh Coyne, 10, was in two plays before. "But those were not as near as good as this one. This is a whole big production."

When rehearsal started Josh was not sure if the production was going to work or not. "But then once it started getting to a point that everything is coming together it started to really look like a good play. "We couldn't have done it without our director and all the staff, who did wonderful jobs from the music to other technical support."

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