Music Theatre students join the St. Clair College toy and food drive campaign with donation sites at their performances December 9, and 10.
Every year, the St. Clair SRC holds a toy and food drive to help Windsor Campus students and their families during the holiday season. Though the fundraiser has been around for 20 years, this is the first time it’s been done in collaboration with St. Clair’s Music Theatre Club.
A host of college departments have traditionally collected donations in support of the student council’s Food and Toy Drive,” noted St. Clair President Patti France.
“It is so appropriate that the Music Theatre Performance program is now involved in that campaign,” said France. “Its spectacular Christmas show always brings joy to its audiences, and now it will have the added bonus of bringing special support to students and their families in the form of food in the cupboard and presents under the tree.”
The club has arranged for toys and food to be dropped off during performances of their 16th annual Christmas Show, Season’s Greetings, taking place at Chrysler Theater. Drop-off tables will be available at 7:30 p.m. during the December 9 and 10 performances.
Paige Moore, student representative & member of the Music Theatre Club, says combining the two events seemed like a logical choice.
"At the heart of Season's Greetings is a story about characters from different walks of life who come together and celebrate the season,” said Moore. “So, I feel like it is fitting that we should try and help out our community with the same goal of togetherness!"
The toy and food drive is a great help to the St. Clair student community, assisting 50-100 students each holiday season.
"This time of year can be very special, especially for those who have the privilege and funds to make it so,” said Moore. “However, for those who may not have the means, maybe this season doesn't bring up the warmest feelings. For that reason, I think this time of year is the perfect time to hold a drive like this, so we can help everyone in our community to share in the special holiday!"
The Music Theatre Performance program has bounced back from the pandemic with a brand new original Christmas show, Season’s Greetings, taking place in a postwar 1940s nightclub and featuring a variety of songs and dance styles. Choreographer Kristyn Wiklanski teases an exciting number from the show.
"My favorite piece to choreograph was Jingle Jangle,” said Wiklanski. “We have cowboys and tap-dancing horses. The horse has a head person and a bottom person, and their feet have to coordinate in opposition. It was fun trying to create a realistic horse, but also a cartoon version of it that can tap dance."
This will be the first time the program will present a show without any restrictions since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Third year Music Theatre Student Cassidy Funk is looking forward to the post-pandemic experience.
"This is the first time that I've been here that we've done a show without any masks,” said Funk. “We don't have to worry about spacing in our choreography and we don't have to separate the classes into cohorts anymore, we can actually integrate all the years together."
In combination with the food and toy drive, Season’s Greetings provides a great opportunity to give back to the community while enjoying some local entertainment. Shows are running from December 9 - 17 at the Chrysler Theatre, with matinee and evening performances. Tickets are $10 for students and children and $20 for adults. You can purchase tickets at the box office by visiting in person at 201 Riverside Drive West, calling 519-252-6579 or purchasing online at www.chryslertheatre.com/events.
