The halls of Regiopolis-Notre Dame (RND) Catholic High School are buzzing with excitement as students put their finishing touches on props, production sets, choreography, and musical ensembles for this year’s production of Elf: The Musical.
Left: Vivian, grade 11 and Del, grade 12 create stage props and signage.
Right: Members of the crew building Santa's sleigh.
Since auditions in September, students have been bringing warmth and wit into developing their roles, and have been hard at work perfecting every note and lyric. While students expected memorizing lines and mastering vocal ranges to be their biggest challenge, it turns out the choreography took centre stage. “The largest ensemble number, Sparklejollytwinklejingley, has upwards of 30 cast members on stage with 3 minutes and 48 seconds of carefully choreographed chaos,” says Grade 11 student Vivan, who plays Jovie, the cynical, but kind-hearted, female lead. “But every bit of effort is worth it for the energy it brings to the audience”, she said.
Grade 11 student Vivan, who plays Jovi (left) and Grade 12 student Kian, who plays Buddy the Elf (right) during a production rehearsal.
Grade 12 student Kian has boldly filled the oversized shoes of Buddy the Elf, bringing the character to life with heart, humour, and humility. “The costume is basically customized right down to dyeing the tights a bright, bold yellow and adding shoe coverings to get that classic elfin toe”, explains Kian, whose Buddy “look” is as magical as the character himself.
Members of the ensemble cast during production rehearsal of Elf: The Musical.
The RND school community has brought this beloved holiday story to life. At its core, Elf: The Musical celebrates the true meaning of the season, emphasizing the importance of family, kindness, and belief in the magical spirit of Christmas.
Grade 12 student Kian, who plays Buddy the Elf (left) and Cedrick, grade 12, who plays the Macy's store manager (right), during a production rehearsal of Elf: The Musical.
The production reminds audiences that love and connection outweigh cynicism, and that joy grows when we share it generously. Ultimately, Buddy’s journey shows how optimism, dedication, and a little Christmas magic can bring people together when it matters most.
Elf: The Musical takes the stage December 4–6. Don’t miss this heartwarming holiday tradition brought to life by RND’s talented students. For tickets sales visit: Ticket Sales: https://ticketscene.ca/series/1554/qrcode/