Lakefield College School Presents 'Something Rotten' Musical

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Lakefield College School is bringing Shakespeare and rock-and-roll to the stage with the musical production of ‘Something Rotten’ starting Feb. 28.

A cast and crew of over 50 staff and students from Lakefield College School (LCS) have been working since October to bring this production of the annual musical to the Bryan Jones Theatre.

Now that pandemic regulations have eased and LCS is able to invite a wider audience to the show, Something Rotten director and producer Geoff Bemrose says that he is excited to see the show come together.

“It’s kind of a show within a show. It’s a good send up of Shakespeare, tons of musical theatre and jokes as well,” he says.

The show is based off of the novel by Karen Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. Something Rotten takes place in 1595 London, England. The Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel are trying to find success by writing plays, but are outshined by the rock-star playwright of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare. Nick gets help from a soothsayer for the next big hit, who foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time. Nick and Nigel then set out to write the world’s first musical’ Omelette: The Musical.’ But amidst the excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being ‘true to thine own self.’

Ben Freeman, who plays Nicholas Bottom, has been apart of LCS musicals since Grade 9, and is now in Grade 12.

“They’re probably the most fun part of the year, although a little stressful. Because on top of classes and preparing for tests, I also have to memorize all my lines,” says Freeman. “At the end of the day it’s really satisfying and everyone really loves it. Not only the cast, but the people at the school because they get to see their friends on stage.”

“I’m also excited for my friends to see it. I’m not really like my character at all, he’s very egotistical. He’s almost polar opposite of me. So I’m excited to see how I can be like that,” says Alex Bemrose.

Alex, who plays William Shakespeare in his second musical production with the school, says that with many rehearsals under their belt the Something Rotten cast is enjoying the “fun part.”

“As (the show) goes on, you just get more comfortable, and it gets more fun,” he says. “And now we’re at the fun part. You know your lines, you get to play more, and you get to really get into your character.”

Along with the other seasoned musical theatre students, Isabelle Kim, who plays Portica, says that the seniors of the school help to foster a comfortable environment for newer performers.

“It’s been a really supportive, really fun team, and everyone’s just had this shared passion and I think that’s what makes it so fun. People feel free to express themselves, try new things and not be afraid to explore their characters,” she says. “That’s something really cool about Something Rotten, everyone has the ability to develop their own character and how they want that to translate on stage.”

Kim says that the students in the audience can look forward to some familiar jokes and characters in the performance.

“It aligns with what the different English classes are working on right now, they’re all studying Shakespeare, so I think it’ll be really cool for them to kind of connect those dots and see how many jokes they catch on to,” she says.

‘Something Rotten’ will run from Feb. 28 to Mar. 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). The opening night show is already sold-out.

Those interested in seeing the production can purchase tickets online for $10 (plus applicable fees) here.

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Fleming Student Association Makes Multi-Million Dollar Donation to Support Student-Life

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Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council (SAC) located at the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough has donated $3,415,500 to the College announced Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The funding was announced during a ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The donation comes from funds which were designated for transportation and programming enhancements that SAC saved from student fees.

“Fleming College’s Student Administrative Council continues to demonstrate student leadership,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “This significant gift will make a difference in the lives of students for generations to come. We appreciate SAC’s ongoing commitment to supporting Fleming students.”

$2.3 million of the donation has been earmarked for an Endowment Fund in effort to create a permanent legacy at Fleming College through supporting transportation initiatives and food security programs that directly impact student life.  

More than $2 million of the contribution supports bursaries that help alleviate direct student transit costs, and create micro-bursaries for students facing emergency or hardship situations and unmet critical needs. $1 million will support capital enhancements to transportation at the Peterborough campus, and these funds will go directly to improving the quality of student transit spaces and amenities. The remaining funds will support food security projects that directly help students who are struggling with food insecurity.

Fleming SAC is a non-profit corporation that advocates for the social and political needs of students at the college. The SAC Board of Directors represent the collective voice on campus and implements programming that addresses the needs of students. 

“Fleming SAC is always there for students, and we have a deep history of supporting students while on campus,” says Joel Willett, SAC general manager. “This donation to the college is important to SAC and our Board as it signifies our existing and future commitment to students.” 

For more information visit the Fleming College website.

Photos: High School Students Stage Protest For Climate Action

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Students from Peterborough Alternative & Continuing Education (PACE) staged a walkout from school and protested to spread awareness about climate change as part of a movement named “Fridays for Future” at Confederation Park on Friday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The students were part of the Youth Leadership in Sustainability program held in partnership with Trent University.

Aisling MacQuarrie,16, is a Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School student who is taking Youth Leadership in Sustainability. A program that prepares grade 11 and 12 students for leadership roles in sustainability initiatives at the local and global levels. Photo by Luke Best.

“In 2019, the city announced a climate crisis and they also committed to reducing greenhouse gases by 40 per cent by 2031. We're here to remind them of that promise and make sure they're upholding and making actions to get there,” said Aisling MacQuarrie, grade 11 student. “We wanted to try to make more of a difference in our community.”

Fridays for Future is a youth-led global climate strike movement that started in August 2018 when then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for the climate.

For three weeks leading up to the election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding action on the climate crisis.

Mayor Diane Therrien encouraged the students in their protest and movement before heading to the Peterborough Environmental and Climate Action Expo (EnviroX). Photo by Luke Best.

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Workplace Training Programs Open For Registration at Fleming College

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Fall courses are open for registration as Fleming College offers programs in everything from executive leadership training to business and management workshops.

File Photo.

The Continuing Education and Corporate Training Office offers courses from executive leadership training to business and management workshops to turn students into highly skilled, ready-to-work employees according to Fleming.

This semester’s established certificate and specialized training modules include coaching and conflict resolution skills, team leadership and a high in-demand PEAK Leadership training program. 

Customizable training options are available for groups, key team members or individuals. 

For more information on available workplace training programs and how to enroll email corporatetraining@flemingcollege.ca.

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Trent University and Fleming College Create Four New College-to-University Pathways

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A collaboration between Trent University and Fleming College has created four new diploma-to-degree pathways for students in the environmental sector.

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Fleming students graduating from the college’s Fish and Wildlife Technician, Ecosystem Management Technician and Environmental Technician diploma programs will receive seven credits toward a 20-credit degree in Environmental and Resource Science from Trent University.

This long-standing partnership between Trent and Fleming gives students the opportunity to further their education at the University level. Pathway programs make this future transfer process more accessible and streamlined.

“This new agreement will provide students the opportunity to benefit from both hands-on learning and theoretical teaching, preparing students for success in fields that are growing across Canada,” said Fleming College President Maureen Adamson.

Dr. Stephen Hill, director of the Trent School of the Environment, says that studying at both the college and university level brings unique benefits.

“In the environmental sector, in particular, having both a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge and the technical skills and abilities to put that knowledge and thinking into action opens up career opportunities for college-to-university transfer graduates.” 

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