News & Events - News Room

By MWO Normand Marion, 16 Wing

      "Leave your reality at the door!" she warns with a smile, referring to this weekend's presentations of the stage version of Alice in Wonderland.  "This is a wonderful, nonsensical fantasy."

      Sergeant Sara Zubiak, an instructor at 16 Wing's Air Command Professional Development and Training Centre (ACPDTC), speaks passionately when she talks about theatre and her drama group.  Indeed, she is the founder and the director of Paradox Productions Junior Players (the Borden Drama Club), the group that will perform "Alice" at the Buell Theatre this weekend.

      Undoubtedly, she is quite proud of her young performers and their accomplishments, especially since the group was initially created as an adult drama club.

      "When I was posted to Germany", she explains, "I was a member of the Baden Playmakers.  When I came to Borden in 1996, I wanted to repeat that experience, but there was nothing on base.  So I decided to start a new club."

      In 1998 Sergeant Zubiak formed a theatre group mainly for members of the Forces.  The group looked promising at first but lost many members in the first year due to postings.  At the same time, Sara was getting many queries from young people who were interested in joining the group.  So she decided to change the group to a junior group instead.

      "It's been a really interesting experience.  I started off looking for something to belong to, not for something to create.  Now, I'm much more in a teaching role than I would have ever expected."

      Today, Paradox Productions Junior Players is comparable to a high-school theatre group.  It consists of 17 members, ages 13 to 18, although younger kids could be accepted if they are serious and dedicated.  "We have an audition process to ensure that only people who are really interested join the group", the director explains.  The club is open to anyone who lives in the area and even though most members are from the base, there are some from outside the base too.

      "This group is really for the young people", says Sergeant Zubiak, "but I'm hoping to get more adult volunteers to come forward and help with things like lighting and construction of sets. I had tremendous help from a handful of people, especially from Linda Maracle of the Military Police Academy.  She did wonderful things with costume designs and on-stage visuals."

      Last year, Paradox Productions Junior Players performed Voices from the High School, a teen-oriented production that addressed many serious teenager issues.  "It was very successful," says Sergeant Zubiak, "but this year, we are doing something completely different with Alice in Wonderland which is, of course, pure fantasy."

      But don't take her word for it.  Come and see for yourself at the Buell Theatre this weekend.  Show times are Saturday, 15 Jun 02 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, 16 Jun 02 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $2.00 and will be available at the door.