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Play makes mockery of common stereotypes

Youth have major role in latest Shuswap Theatre production.
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Jim Elliot/Salmon Arm Observer Jamé Wonacott, Adam Winship, Aidan White, Chad Baker, Sidney Pullin and Dom Young rehearse for Shuswap Theatre’s production of Stereotype High on Sunday, Jan. 29.

Actor, teacher and longtime contributor to Shuswap Theatre, Julia Body directs a cast of 20 actors who range in age between 10 and 50-plus.

Through the experiences of eight teenagers who all turn out to be more than they appear to be, the play debunks the stereotypes people perceive when they look at other people, especially young ones.

Chad Baker plays Chuck, the stereotypical jock. Baker recently made a cameo appearance in Mary Poppins and appeared with Haney Heritage Dinner Theatre last summer. A graduate of Salmon Arm Secondary, Baker is a skilled metal worker.

An accomplished singer, who will graduate from King’s Christian School this year, Paige Tower plays Jeanie, the stereotypical mean girl. This is her first show with Shuswap Theatre.

In his final year at Salmon Arm Secondary, Dom Young plays Ronald, the stereotypical geek. A regular with Shuswap Theatre, Young has appeared in I Had a Job I Liked Once, Rapunzel and Wizard of Oz.

Jamé Wonacott plays Annarosarosemarie, the stereotypical thespian. An actor and dancer, she was in Pack of Lies with Shuswap Theatre and Person in the Woods in Vancouver. Jamé is a graduate of Salmon Arm Secondary.

Aidan White plays Alex, the stereotypical stoner. An actor and concert production guy, the Salmon Arm Secondary student has worked “Wednesdays on the Wharf” in Salmon Arm.

Rita, the stereotypical lonely girl, is played by Sidney Pullin. A performer at heart, the Salmon Arm Secondary student has danced with Shuswap Dance Centerfor eight years and appeared in Shuswap Theatre’s Mary Poppins.

Andrew, the stereotypical freak, is played by Adam Winsip, who attends Pleasant Valley Secondary in Armstrong, has a growing list of performance credits. Most recently he played Ichabod in Among Friends and Clutter.

Dev Turner plays Skye, the stereotypical bad girl. The Salmon Arm Secondary student has been involved with drama since she was little, acting, stage managing and working on costumes.

Appearing as the “adults” in the play are Gloria Cox (Mrs. Slattimore, the guidance counsellor), Kelsey Sagmoen (Miss Johnson, the rookie teacher), and George Rithaler (the disgruntled movie-goer).

Erika Serhan, Cheryl Naugler, Niko Henreueld, Jenna Brook, Kaitlin Munro, Alexander Delaney, Randy Brogden, Isak Serhan and Hannah Mellaart complete the cast.

Anyone who is currently, or has ever been a teenager will enjoy this exploration of the conflict between who we are and how the world sees us. But the show contains mature themes and is not recommended for pre-teens.

Performances of Stereotype High take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 25, March 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 and March 5. Ticket are $10 for teens, $20 for adults and $18 for seniors. Pay what you can performances take place on Thursday, March 2 and 9.

Tickets for Stereotype High are available online at http://shuswaptheatre.com/events/tickets/, at Intwined Fibre Arts at 81 Hudson Ave. NE, or at the door one hour before performance time.

For students, the Salmon Arm Arts Centre at 70 Hudson Ave. NE offers the “ShuGo” discount program. Go to http://www.salmonarmartscentre.ca/shugo/ for information.