The Canada Post strike has caused a major wardrobe malfunction for Drama students in a northern Alberta school.
Costumes and accessories to be used by students at J.A. Williams High School in Lac La Biche for their upcoming performance of “The Outsiders” are stuck in the mail, forcing teachers to re-dress plans for upcoming dress rehearsals.
A new costume order has been made but may not arrive by courier until a few school days before the December 17-19 show dates. The delay means most early rehearsals or promotional photos to advertise the shows won’t include the 1950s era clothing originally chosen for the school’s version of S.E. Hinton’s iconic novel about rival gangs.
Drama teacher Marlo Hanson says the ongoing national strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers has now taken centre-stage at a very local level.
“Our costumes were due to be delivered mid-November but have been held up in the strike,” Hanson told Lakeland This Week on November 28.
The wardrobe items – which were ordered well before the strike began – are part of what is estimated to be millions of pieces of mail that are not being delivered due to the ongoing strike between 15,500 unionized postal workers and the Crown corporation. The strike, now it its third week has halted all mail processed across the country by Canada Post.
The forced pivot has added pressure to an already-busy schedule.
“Right now. things are a bit of a whirlwind as we are still trying to get the play planned, memorized, and practiced for the performances,” Hanson said.
While the strike has put a wrinkle in their clothing options, the young actors and their teacher know the shows must go on.
Tickets
Evening shows for community members will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 17, Wednesday, Dec. 18, and Thursday, Dec. 19. Tickets are $12 plus fees for the evening shows and are available at the high school’s website.
According to Hanson, there are also matinee performances on each of the three days, offering invite-only shows to local seniors and students.
Despite the challenges brought on by the mail strike, Hanson and the students are looking forward to the performances, recognizing the irony of having to think outside the box for a performance called “The Outsiders.”