Following in theme with the song Circle of Life, a theatre kid turned principal had the chance to inspire the next generation of theatre lovers.
Students felt the love last week as friends and family gathered to watch Peace Arch Elementary School’s production of The Lion King Jr. The production featured four shows: two matinees and two evening showings on March 4 and 5.
This is Peace Arch Elementary’s first theatre showcase in more than 10 years.
The idea to revive theatre performances at the school started with the parent advisory council (PAC) noticing that their newer principal, Abby Swansburg, had a Wicked poster in her office.
PAC members and their president, Shannon Versluis, figured that if anyone were to make theatre blossom again at the school, it would be Swansburg.
The PAC brought the idea to Swansburg and even asked if she would be interested in directing the production, which Versluis shared is not normal for an elementary school show.
“Usually an outside director is brought in,” Versluis explained.
Swansburg, who was once a theatre kid herself and attended Earl Marriott Secondary School, shared that she was thrilled to take on this project. She credits legendary South Surrey theatre teacher Rick Harmon as an early influence on her love for the stage.
“I’ve always wanted in my career as a teacher to provide that opportunity for students, and I am so lucky as a principal with the support of the PAC to get to continue that,” Swansburg shared with Peace Arch News.
The pre-production process began at the end of the last school year.
With the help of the PAC and Lorianne Blackman, Peace Arch Elementary’s core music teacher, the team discussed ideas of which musical to perform. Blackman’s suggestion of The Lion King Jr. was ultimately chosen after the production team agreed on how beautiful the music was.
Swansburg added that the story and themes also felt especially meaningful given the events that happened in Tumbler Ridge in February, making messages about community, support and resilience resonate even more.
“We noticed this theme from the show emerging from both the Circle of Life, and also there’s a line about supporting each other in the song,” Swansburg said. “So, in a surprising way, it became a token to hold onto in those harder and darker times that we would have never known would become that.”
The musical also brought together students in a new way.
Peace Arch Elementary offers both French immersion and English programs, meaning some students have never interacted with each other before participating in the production.
Through rehearsals, choreography and shared stage time, Swansburg said those learning paths blended together.
She also shared that she wasn’t sure at first how this was going to work with 300 students, but once production began and she got to hear the harmonies of the entire school in their school’s gym, she knew it would be possible – and great.
The production process began in November, when auditions were held for intermediate students in grades 5 to 7. Students auditioning for character roles had to prepare a dance and singing audition.
After the show was cast, rehearsals started in December.
Swansburg and Versluis mentioned that many of these students had never sung or danced in public or been in a production before this experience.
“They went from some of them having a bit of experience, some of them having none, to now just fully embracing the whole process of the whole thing and doing it by themselves,” shared Swansburg.
“The most fun experience has been watching the people grow and get better as they move through the show,” said Grade 6 student and mic operator Gracie Roberts.
Versluis explained that the school’s production of The Lion King Jr. was fully run by the students. “They run the lights, sound, mics and do each other’s hair and makeup.”
Swansburg’s hope was that by the time the show came around, the adults would be able to step back and watch the show with the rest of the audience, and the students ultimately achieved that.
The production opened with Awab as Rafiki elegantly singing the beginning of the Circle of Life, setting the tone for the performance.
As the song grew, so did the number of singers, eventually bringing together 300 students in and around the main stage, all singing the many layered voices in this opening tune.
The entire gym became part of the set, immersing the audience in the Pride Lands.
Set decorations that were made by teachers and volunteers were detailed and colourful, adding another layer to the storytelling happening on stage. Dances were well choreographed, and the lighting and props used in those performances helped elevate each musical number.
The students playing the leading and supporting roles all committed to their characters, physically and emotionally, making the performance feel like they were not just reading from a script. There were only a few breaks in character, mostly when performers spotted family members in the audience and couldn’t help but smile.
Parents and friends were emotionally invested into the show as well, with some audience members tearing up during the opening sequence and the emotional scene following Mufasa’s death.
The audience responded to the show with a standing ovation.
For many of these students, the musical marked their very first time performing.
Grade 7 student Divya Bhatti, who played Mufasa, said the experience was unforgettable.
“I think it’s so cool to finally be able to be a part of such a huge production and to meet new people and to work on my acting and just to know what it feels kind of like to be in a movie, in a way,” Bhatti shared. “It kinda feels like you’re famous.”
Despite this being her first performance, Bhatti said the rehearsals helped her learn how to stay confident on stage even when mistakes happen.
“I feel so lucky to be a part of such a huge thing, finally, since I’ve always wanted to.”
Bhatti does plan to continue acting and following theatre into high school next year.
Grade 7 student Theo Fryer, who played Scar, said performing in a full musical was a new experience compared to smaller school productions he has done previously.
For him, one of the best moments comes after the curtain closes.
“I really like talking to my friends after the show is done and congratulating each other, sharing how we did,” he said.
Fryer shared that he also will be continuing his love for theatre after this at high school next year.
For Swansburg, the ultimate goal of this production was never just the show itself. She wanted this experience to spark something in these kids.
“My hope is that the kids leave loving theatre or love doing the arts because it is a thing that if I hadn’t had, my life would be so different,” she said. “My hope is that they leave discovering a new thing that they can do outside of school that is not something they would have ever thought of doing before.”
With the success of this year’s production, the circle of theatre at Peace Arch Elementary may just be beginning again.