Theatre group promotes ‘green’ Christmas

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

‘Tis the season of cold days and nights, snowy sights, festive lights and — most likely — Hydro bill heights.

With many of us using extra electricity to heat our homes and light up decorations during the holiday season, a West Island-based youth theatre group is reminding everyone to think about the environment as well.

“Not very many people know there are simple things we can do to save energy,” said Ayesha Baumgartner, the founder and director of the Beaconsfield-based Kids Act 2 drama club, which puts on plays centred around a variety of different social issues about every two months. This Sunday, the group will perform A Friendly Planet, a comedy focusing on the environment and what people can do to make the earth a better place. The audience will also learn a variety of different environmentally friendly tips throughout the show, Baumgartner said. “We try to make our plays interactive, cool and fun.”

“It’s a good play because it sends a message,” said 11-year-old Justin Argentino, who plays the Hydro Man in A Friendly Planet. “It sends a message to the audience to only use what you need. We’re using too much and were need to be more efficient.”

The Kirkland resident and Margaret Manson Elementary school student has been a member of the Kids Act 2 drama club for three years and says it’s more than just theatre that keeps him in it.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s not like work, you know? It’s fun to play different people,” he said.

While Justin’s mother, Victoria Wisniewski, was skeptical about theatre at first, she says her son has excelled in many other areas of his life since joining the group.

“We enrolled him in Grade 3 and he just loved it. Not only was he having fun, but academically, it’s just unbelievable. His teachers couldn’t believe the turnaround,” she said, adding Justin’s confidence has gone up as well. “And in reading, too. Here he is in his room reading and memorizing lines and actually enjoying it.”

Throughout her years of teaching theatre, Baumgartner said she has seen many stories similar to Justin’s.

“This isn’t just an acting program,” she said. “The kids gain a sense of confidence and achievement. They learn how to work together as a team (…) They’re doing this for people they’ve never met, and at the end, they have this great sense of accomplishment.”

The Kids Act 2 drama club presents A Friendly Planet at 5 p.m. this Sunday at The Christ Church, 455 Church St. in Beaconsfield. Tickets are $5 per person. Along with a great show and good eco-friendly advice, audience members will also have the opportunity to win prizes, including everything from energy saving lightbulbs to hotel stays. To reserve seats or find out more about Kids Act 2, call 514-817-8805.



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