AJS Drama class wows audience with ‘Lucky Lucky Hudson’

Some of the cast of the AJS Production of ‘Lucky Lucky Hudson and the 12th Street Gang’ take a break, with director Brenda DeKock. Note the two new on-stage monitors, purchased with funding from the Battle River Community Foundation grants, as well as head sets with microphones.

The Junior High Drama classes at Allan Johnstone School (AJS) in Hardisty, with 41 students, presented the musical ‘Lucky, Lucky Hudson and the 12th Street Gang’ to the community on June 12.

Directed by AJS teacher Brenda DeKock, and co-directed by volunteer Betty Ann Peach, the musical was an enormous undertaking that showed the dedication and talent of the students.

The two-hour production brought comedy, singing, and dancing to the stage of the Community Hall.

DeKock says, “It was a very difficult project for Junior High, but so worthwhile.”

She says the students did an amazing job of memorizing their lines, with more than 30 distinct parts in the play, and some students taking on emcee and production roles for light and sound.

Travis Wurz plays Steven Jenkins, the main character of Lucky Lucky Hudson, the final production for AJS Junior High Drama students.

“The students did an excellent job of portraying their characters,” DeKock says.

DeKock said that all the dancing in the play was choreographed by the students themselves, and she thinks they did a great job.

Thanks to some new monitors, purchased through donations from the Battle River Community Foundation, the students were able to hear themselves on stage, which DeKock says makes an enormous difference.

She says a production of this scope wouldn’t be possible without help, and adds that she received a lot, from volunteers like Peach, as well as financial help from Comrades Parts and Accessories, the Battle River Community Foundation, the Hardisty Parent Advisory, who ran the concession during intermission as well, and DeKock Hillcrest Farm Ltd.

Admission was free, or by donation only, and DeKock says that the support from parents, families, and friends at the door was amazing.

The huge success of the performance was a little bittersweet for DeKock, as it was her last official performance at AJS, she has now retired from teaching.

Leslie Cholowsky
Editor