A Kamsack student, who says she has been singing since she could talk, has been accepted as an intern with Saskatchewan Express, the company which has been touring the province and beyond with summer music and dancing shows since 1980.
Elizabeth Hilderman, 16, a Grade 11 student at Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, auditioned for the company last month in Regina, and has been accepted.
Hilderman said that for the audition she sang She’s Always a Woman by Billy Joel and I Want to be Like You from The Jungle Book.
She said that she has signed a contract with Saskatchewan Express for March to June, meaning that every weekend she is committed to going to Regina to rehearse, and it will depend on the company’s budget if she will be touring with the show in July and August.
Each summer the Saskatchewan Express show is not far from Kamsack. In most years it has performed at Madge Lake and at communities within a short driving distance from Kamsack.
“I’m an alto,” she said last week, adding that she was to start rehearsals in Regina on the weekend.
“My contract is like an internship; I’m in training,” she said, admitting that she is somewhat nervous thinking about the commitment.
“Elizabeth is one of two singers who are understudies who learn the show along with the rest of the cast,” said Nora Berg, co-ordinator of promotions and marketing for Saskatchewan Express. This year the cast includes 10 singers and four dancers.
And as of last week, Saskatchewan Express was tentatively booked to perform in Kamsack on June 4, Berg said, adding that in such a case when the show is being staged at a cast member’s hometown, Hilderman will be on stage regardless of being an understudy or regular cast member.
Hilderman has performed at school assemblies and she sang with her sister Rebecca Lawless at a country singing competition in Swan River a couple of years ago when they had placed second. Her sister had auditioned for the Canadian Idol television series several years ago, and her father Jeff has also sung publically, having entered singing competitions.
This year’s show is all about the 150th anniversary of Canada, she said.
Saskatchewan Express was founded in 1980 by Carol Gay Bell, says its webside. It was the outcome of a successful touring show of Saskatchewan performers held in 1967 to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday. Because of the enthusiastic response, the Government of Saskatchewan initiated the Saskatchewan Talent Hunt in the performing arts in 1974. The program sought out talented performers from throughout the province with the goal of combining them in a touring show.
It was in 1980 that a touring show was finally achieved as a program of the Diamond Jubilee Corporation, the website says. To help Celebrate Saskatchewan on the occasion of her 75th anniversary, a touring group was put together and called Saskatchewan’s Greatest Little Travelling Birthday Party. In 1983, Saskatchewan Lotteries became a supporter and the group was named Saskatchewan Express.
“Saskatchewan Express is proud to be a musical ambassador for this province and has appeared across Saskatchewan and from coast to coast in Canada as well as in the United States,” it says. “Firmly believing in the education of young people in the performing arts, Saskatchewan Express established Musical Theatre Studios in Regina in 1997 and in Saskatoon in 2000. These studios train young people from the ages of 3 to 19.
Danny Balkwill, who performed with Saskatchewan Express in 1995 and ’96 is returning home as artistic director. Carol Gay Bell, who founded the group and was the artistic director for 36 years is mentoring Balkwill and will remain on as general manager.
For this year’s show, entitled Oh! Canada, Saskatchewan Express looked for a cast of talented young singers and dancers to take on a nationwide tour through song and dance.
“This upbeat, engaging show features just the right amount of nostalgia and patriotism while showcasing many of the musical talents Canada has produced over the years up to the present day. This show will be a hit for audiences across the province and beyond while paying tribute to Canada’s 150th birthday.
“Through Saskatchewan Express, many performers have gained the skills and confidence to pursue careers in the performing arts. They come from every small town and large centre in Saskatchewan and all received the same valuable training and performance opportunities,” it said.
