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FEBRUARY 11, 2014 Vol. 119, Issue 23
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Dr. Seuss stories set to come alive Kids prepare for production with intensive program BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
“I can see that you've got quite a mind for your age! Why, one Think and you dragged me right onto the stage! Now, I'm here, there is no telling what may ensue With a Cat such as me, and a Thinker like you!” Dr. Seuss' stories like “Oh the Think You can Think” are coming to life on stage weekly as children 7-13 years olds prepare to perform “Seussical Jr.” in Trail this spring. Under direction of theatre experts Juliana Marko, Nadine Tremblay and Carolyn Ferraro, 21 kids meet weekly at Steps Dance for three hours of imagination and as a result a whole lot of fun. “If you don't start acting when you're young, performing on stage gets really hard because acting is all about playing and using your imagination and kids are just natural at that,” said Marko. “When you get to the adult stage and you haven't been trained on stage, it gets really difficult to sort of get out of that box in your head.” Marko has wanted to put on a fullstage musical since she moved back to the area in 2010. The 31-year-old started off with Steps Dance Company before pursuing theatre in Calgary, where she later performed before moving to Chicago for acting and dance opportunities. With backing from Steps owner Rhonda Michallik, she started off small in Trail with a few kids and upped her game as the years past but recent demand and ambition drove her to reach out for support. Enter Tremblay, at times known locally as Liz Stephens from "Ski Bum: The Musical" or an Andrews Sister with "Company Jump," and her most recent venture as a new persona with musical partner and boyfriend Rupert Keiller under the band “Sonicanimation.” “We knew there would be good participation because so many parents and kids are constantly asking for it and we are happy to provide it,” said Tremblay. Children's programming was one request that was brought up time and again when Tremblay and a team committed to the Charles Bailey Business Plan looked into what patrons wanted out of their local theatre. “There is a keen interest in musical
Trail lands airport ownership this weekend BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
Celebrating the City of Trail's official takeover of the Trail Airport will take flight this weekend with a meet and greet. The city will officially take ownership of the Trail Regional Airport this Saturday after several months of negotiations with its former owner, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. “The airport acquisition is a huge step forward for our entire region,” Trail Mayor Dieter Bogs was noted in a news release. “Economic development for the area is one of our top priorities and we hope the public shares our enthusiasm and our vision to move ahead.” Cake and coffee will be served to passengers traveling via Trail's Pacific Coastal flights Saturday; local media, airport staff and the public are also invited to indulge on site, where Trail council will be on hand to answer any questions about the recent acquisition. Trail announced its $1.28 million plan to purchase the 4,000-foot strip from the regional district in December. The city is forking over the cost in two parts, with the first payment scheduled for Saturday. But $120,000 of the half payment will be held until the regional district removes two underground fuel tanks early next month. Changes are ahead for the volunteer-run airport, which will have its very own manager selected from 20 candidates in the next six months.
VALERIE ROSSI PHOTO
Nadine Tremblay, Juliana Marko and Carolyn Ferraro are whipping Greater Trail kids into musical theatre performers in a 10-week intensive program that teaches voice, dance and acting. The program caps off with the production of “Seussical Jr.” in Trail this spring. theatre and programming for musical theatre with children,” she added. “The students so far are amped and working hard; it's nice to be around.” The well-known performer was a welcomed addition to the team, which also includes former Steps Company dancer Ferraro. With a diploma in makeup design for film and television and another in acting for film and television, Ferraro is back home and is eager to pour her
passion into the local art scene. Though she works with children at Steps as a tap instructor, this is her first time exploring musical theatre with kids. Ferraro's hope is that Trail's “underground” art scene will emerge and with it bring life to the city. “In Trail we have a struggling downtown core and I'm not saying it's an easy fix,” she said. See COURSE, Page 3
Finance critic tours West Kootenay BY ART HARRISON Times Staff
Taking a break after a chilly tour of the Waneta Dam Expansion project NDP finance critic, Mike Farnworth, and Kootenay West MLA, Katrine Conroy, stopped by Trail's Cafe Americano Thursday afternoon to warm up and meet with local citizens and hear their concerns. Initially only a few joined the politicians for the casual gathering in the local eatery but eventually more people came in to meet with Farnworth and express their opinions on a number of issues. See FARNWORTH, Page 3
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