Aultsville Theatre Production of Mamma Mia! features two Akwesasronon

By Mahlon Smoke

The Aultsville Theater group has brought many beloved musicals to Cornwall for everyone to enjoy. With an enthusiastic cast and crew ready to put on a show, two members of the crew in particular are excited. One is Jenna Clute who has been with the company for a few years now and the newest member of the group is Kakwireiosta Hall. Clute plays Lisa, one of the friends of the main character of Donna Sheridan and Hall is part of the ensemble but both are more than happy to be part of the production.

For Hall this will be her first musical and from the age of eleven, she is so excited to sing on stage. Not just this musical, but the last four the company has done. Clute is also entering her last semester for her theater major.

"People were very welcoming, and it is such a creative environment. It's been really great!", said Hall when speaking of her experience with the theater troupe so far.

Hall had heard about this production from a friend and wished to try something new. While she did expect to be part of the crew, she stretched her wings and tried out for a part.

"There aren't many opportunities stateside for theater," Clute mentioned in why she joined the group.

Hall also mentioned that, 'It's a great way to have some diversity in activities for youths, as both wished that there were more options for youths who wanted to express themselves through art like singing, dancing, musicals, and more.

"The dancing is definitely the most comfortable part of this show!" Hall said when asked about their favorite thing about participating in a production like Mamma Mia!

Clute is very fond of the people within the group, calling them her second family as they are very supportive of everything, not just them but to all the members of the group. Both women plan to participate in another production because it's so much fun.

While both have vastly different experience with theater, especially musical theater, they both agree that Akwesasne could benefit from a program that can bring similar activities such as musicals, dancing troupes, and more creative theater arts activities.

"It's kind of spiritual in a sense because it allows me to open up and align myself with who I'm supposed to be by expressing myself.", said Hall about why she does dancing and learning to sing through traditional singing.

Clute is very interested in bringing more opportunities for Akwesasne to perform and express themselves. She herself is aware of people who are very interested in performing musical theater or have a place to show off their talents. While Hall is very new to musical theater herself, she understands that it would be good way to let others explore different ways of singing and dancing. Clute and Hall even said that if they could bring one musical to Akwesasne, it would be Chicago, because of all the powerful women within the community who would do an amazing job in the roles.

Mamma Mia opened at the Aultsville Theater on February 14th and will play until the 22nd. All performances start at 7:30pm: on Thursdays, Feb, 20, Friday, Feb. 21 and on Saturday, Feb. 22. 2020.