- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

Thirty-three actors, ninety-six costumes, four musicians, five insect puppets, scores of people behind the scenes – and one giant peach.

That's the recipe for St. Mary's High School's production of James and the Giant Peach, running May 2 to 4 at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound.

The staff/student collaboration is clearly the secret ingredient – I could tell that the moment I walked in the room.

Student Emily Lennox and teacher Katie Jerome have created the choreography, and the shop teacher Vince Cowley on guitar joins his son and student Eamon Cowley on drums, teachers David Reitzel (piano/musical director) and Gerrard Willmes (orchestral director) to support the cast of singers.

Cowley has done double duty as he and his students have designed, built, and painted the co-starring giant peach which will now have to be disassembled and rebuilt at the Roxy.

In former St. Mary's productions like Mary Poppins and Wizard of Oz, costumes were rented, but for JATGP, family studies teacher Ginette Bethune has made or assembled all 96 costumes, many for the same actors playing several parts.

Tech teacher Mike Versava, between his classes and preparing his robotics teams for provincial competition, is also creating digital images for the set of James and the Giant Peach.

Dem Lockyer, a grade 13 student who is the stage manager among other roles for JATGP, described the relationship of the students and staff involved, onstage and off. “You all have to be adults, we're all in this together working toward a single goal.”

Dem came to St. Mary's when she realized that her high school would not be able to provide her with a competitive level in all her five sports. But she has taken drama every year at St. Mary's and has found “Theatre is even more co-operative than any sport. You and your cast mates have to think alike, know each other's parts and anticipate each other's actions.”

She adds “It inspires you to go out of your comfort zone and do things you have never done.”

Director Jody Ward said, “We chose the best people for the roles, regardless of grade or experience. Students from all grades are in the production. And people have risen to every request – a crocheted grasshopper or a sunbathing chair....or a giant peach. ” She looks around her drama room with a big grin. “I have the best job in the whole world!”

The show runs Thursday through Saturday, May 2 – 4 at 7 p.m. at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound. Tickets are available at the box office.