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M u r d e r on the Menu half of the equation; managing every aspect of the production is the other half. " T h e students are responsible for everything.They make all decisions about each production by consensus on their own," says Mason, including deciding which play to do. Many children have entered the program at age seven and continued to study and practise their craft for ten years. Mason gets to know the children very well and feels a sense of pride in her proteges. "Some children enter the program very shy and lacking confidence, but at the end of a season, after a performance, they come away with enhanced confidence and a great sense of achievement." Former students have gone on to study drama in high school and college, and a few stellar performers have made the transition to professional stints in movies. Like all theatre companies, Theatricks relies on an extended network of keen and committed supporters behind the scenes to ensure success. Parents lend their creative skills to produce elaborate costumes, which complement Mason's own extensive supply. Student volunteers from Windsor, Sutherland, Carson Graham, and theatre by Sophia Sorensen O n May 26 in St. Catherine's C h u r c h in Edgemont, at pre- Argyle Secondary schools help with stage management, designing, lighting, and special effects. For this performance, 3 high-school students are contributing their expertise to assist the 13 performers. Mason also recruits a talented art student from Sutherland, where she works as a special education assistant, to design the poster used to publicize the play. Finally, there's the bottom line: productions are funded by a combination of program fees and ticket sales. The upcoming original production poses many challenges for Theatricks. Mason points out that, " A murder mystery set in a dinner situation is very difficult to do.The actors must stay in character for the duration of the play, there's no rest." W h i l e the play unfolds, actors must contend with dinner being simultaneously served to the audience.Then there's the added element of interaction, since all guests have a chance to play Sherlock Holmes and try to solve the murder.The mystery starts upon entering the theatre. Each guest receives a clue and, at any time during the evening, may ask one question to help narrow down his o r her guess as to the murderer's identity. W h i l e the murder will remain a mystery until the final curtain, the mystery of why these children love both acting and Theatricks has already been solved. Performances will take place Friday and Saturday, May 26 & 27 and June 2 & 3. For more information about performances and tickets, call the Seymour Gallery, at 924-1378. Performances always sell out, so be sure to call early. Sophia Sorensen is a local consultant and freelance writer who loves to discover new arts adventures. She looks forward to participating in her first murder mystery. cisely 8 pm, there will be a murder. lowing day. A n d again, on June 2 and 3. How, you ask, can this be so accurately predicted? Because murder will be centre stage when the students of A n o t h e r murder will occur the fol- Theatricks mount their upcoming theatre production. A high-school reunion dinner party is the setting for actors in this troupe, aged 7 to 17, w h o are orchestrating a delightful "whodunit" murder mystery. Audience members can join the drama by dressing formally and taking part in the mystery while being served dinner by the waiter-actors. Theatricks is the brainchild (and passion) of Maggie Mason, who founded the company in 1984 to share her love of acting with youngsters. Children enter the program in the fall, initially meeting once a week. The program is organized into graduated steps; beginners progress to the chorus, a supporting role, a character role, and then principal, or lead role. The learning process takes a serious commitment.The children's natural improvisational abilities are enhanced Members of the high-energy Theatricks Troupe through theatre games and exercises, modelled on those used by professional actors. Gaining the skills is one