Calgary’s Bowness High School welcomes ‘Beetlejuice’ cast for Broadway career talk

Drama students at Calgary’s Bowness High School got quite the exciting class this week, amid a campaign to upgrade their theatre.

The Broadway cast of ‘Beetlejuice’ dropped by to hang out, share stories, and support the fundraiser to replace the auditorium’s theatre.

Justin Collette, who plays the lead character, agreed the seats are in need of repair.

“He laughed at them on the way in,” said drama teacher Gillian Exley, explaining Collette was lead to a ripped up seating with a coffee waiting for him.

Exley says the actor’s visit was hugely inspirational for the kids.

“The students had a lot of questions, everything from getting into the business, what his high school experience was like, what his journey was like to get to where he is now,” she said.

The fundraiser is seeking individuals, families, companies, or organizations to buy a chair for $595. To complete the switch over for all of the chairs, the school needs to raise $150,000 by June.

So far, more than $30,000 has been raised for the initiative. Exley says a couple with a love for the arts but no connection to Bowess generously donated $10,000.

“I burst into tears, I couldn’t believe it,” the teacher said.

For more information on the Bowness High School Theatre Save a Seat, Leave a Legacy campaign, visit educationmatters.ca

‘Beetlejuice’ runs at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium until Jan. 12.