Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 03/99) - For the eighth year in a row, Karrin Patterson's drama students are putting on the show of shows.

Almost 2,000 people will troop through the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre to see Sir John Franklin's talented students put on Treasure Island, The Three Little Pigs and A Christmas Carol.

Everyone is working feversihly to prepare. Teacher/director Patterson has been working out of a portable, stuffed to the rafters with costumes, props, and spirited teenaged personalities. The room almost bursts with all the energy whipping around.

"It's madness," says Patterson, with a sigh and a grin. She doesn't seem to be the sort of person who would choose to be anywhere else.

"This year, it's very difficult," she admits. Patterson and her students will be shuttled around from space to space no less than three times because of renovations to the school.

While Patterson and her students have built their own sets in past years, this year it's impossible with the lack of space. Set builder extraordinaire Brian Wainwright will do the job for them.

Outside class time, Patterson spends her night sewing costumes.

"It's day and night." she says. "It's an all-consuming thing."

Patterson's drama 10, 20 and 30 classes (grades 10, 11 and 12) have been rehearsing and perfecting their stage craft since school started in September. Four students from William McDonald have joined the production.

The three plays will be presented in the context of the Children's Theatre Festival. Students from kindergarten to Grade 3, from 10 area schools, will have the opportunity to attend Treasure Island and The Three Little Pigs. The public will have its opportunity to view the plays at the annual Fine Arts Night, Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m.

On Dec. 9 at 7:30, the public will have the chance to see A Christmas Carol.

"People don't really know about it," says Patterson, adding that she'd really like to see people come out and catch A Christmas Carol.

"I've got three students in this now that I've had since Grade 9. A number want to go on into performance. Some are diehards. Some have been in four productions."

One such diehard is Renee Pitre.

"This is really exciting," she says.

About playing for children, she says, "I get more nervous on stage because it's kids. They're more opinionated. I love acting so I love being on stage. And it's amazing, we work on this thing and they love it. Sometimes it is easier with kids because even though they're opinionated, they're not as harsh."

So come out and support these young performers. Wednesday night's performance is free while Thursday night costs $5.