# Local teen Talent ready to Rock Grand Theatre ![ ](/sites/default/files/styles/hero/public/2026-09/HERO_SoR2.jpg?h=aeb5519f&itok=Jdj3aeuc) Grand Theatre High School Project presents SCHOOL OF ROCK September 22 to October 3 on the Spriet Stage at the Grand Theatre [grandtheatre.com/event/school-of-rock](https://www.grandtheatre.com/event/school-of-rock) **September 16, 2026 – London, ON** – London teenagers are ready to rock the city’s downtown core with ***School of Rock***, the award-winning stage musical based on 2003’s blockbuster film – and the title of the **2026 Grand Theatre High School Project**. Sought-after director, **Lezlie Wade**, leads the production, alongside Music Director **Matthew Atkins** and Choreographer **Julius Sermonia**. For 28 years, the Grand’s High School Project has made waves in Canadian theatre by staging a full-scale professional musical with a twist … the production’s cast is dozens of talented London and area high school students and the production itself is built by equally talented students working in the theatre’s Prop Shop, Wardrobe Department, Scene Shop, Stage Management, Sound Team, and even in Marketing and Fundraising. This year, 52 students are participating in the highly competitive program and have spent the past two months working closely with acclaimed, professional theatre artists to bring *School of Rock* to the Grand’s historic Spriet Stage. “Every year the Grand Theatre High School Project is the show that brings us back from summer, leads us into the season, and sets the tone,” shares **Rachel Peake**, Grand Theatre Artistic Director. “*School of Rock* is a fun, high-energy show and a chance for high school students to be playing instruments right on the stage. It's a show about the strength of young people and about how your individuality – your weirdness – is your strength.” Year over year, student musicians often join professional artists in the orchestra pit, performing the show night after night. The program has had an onstage student band before too. This year, students are taking it to another level and their musicianship will be integrated into the roles they play on stage. **Isaac De Melo** will play the guitar and sing while also delivering the lines – and the antics – of Dewey Finn, a character originated by **Jack Black** in the blockbuster 2003 movie. De Melo will rock out alongside **Raya Campbell**, **Rilla De Souza**, **Emmett Franck**, **Sam Harson**, **Malaya MacDonald**, **Paxton Nair**, **Duncan Patrick**, **Daxton Scurr**, and **Junior Van Geffen** will also hold actor-musician roles. The cast also includes **Lily Barned**, **Charlie Burnett**, **Leland Chafee**, **Patrick Coombs**, **Gwendolyn Cornies**, **Peyton Crosby**, **Isla Fitzsimons**, **Cordelia Hawley**, **Isabelle Hiltz**, **Jake Hoare**, **Aya Holzberg**, **Sarah Jenkinson**, **Solange Kirkwood**, **Marian Viancy Mamigo**, **Lara Manocchi**, **Amaya Musvosvi**, **Isabelle Parent**, **Owen Petersen**, **Tessa Pritchett-White**, **Taylor Reaume-Cunning**, **Sal Rogers**, **Solarah Rose**, **Olivia Rossignoli**, and **Alexandra Stockford** as the students, faculty, and parents of Horace Green Prep. [![](/sites/default/files/2627/Director-Lezlie-Wade.jpg)](https://youtu.be/h_U6-iRCc64?si=Jx0oiKi7y5B3qDy1) Director Lezlie Wade talks about *School of Rock*, the 2026 Grand Theatre High School Project [https://youtu.be/h\_U6-iRCc64?si=Jx0oiKi7y5B3qDy1](https://youtu.be/h_U6-iRCc64?si=Jx0oiKi7y5B3qDy1) “With the help of a down-on-his-luck guitarist, *School of Rock* is the inspirational musical that transforms a class of straight-A students into a mind-blowing rock band, unlocking their inner rebels. Music possesses a unique power to ignite change, stirring thoughts and emotions in ways that no lecture, podcast, Netflix series, or magazine article ever could,” says Wade. “Working on this musical is a profound joy, a tribute to the transformative power of Rock and Roll and its ability to help us transcend the versions of ourselves that others expect. It is a privilege to work alongside this extraordinary cast of talented young individuals.” In the Grand Theatre’s shops, departments, and offices are 18 students working behind the scenes in production roles to bring the show to life: **Stanislava Chulkova**, **Chloe Laporte**, **Ollie Neeb**, **Elodie Wilson**, **Margaret Frisa**, **Madelaine Prémont**, **Rian Renaud**, **Tiffani Seed**, **Maria Van Geffen**, **Abby Cullaton**, **Koda Greene-Cavanagh**, **Kade Campbell**, **Juliana Dinnin**, **Quentin Vieira**, **Samuel Craig**, **Nina Madelska-Hallows**, **Emma Hope**, and **Amar Moussa**. The production’s creative team spends their summer in the rehearsal hall and in the shops, working alongside the students as mentors and creative collaborators to bring the show to the Grand’s Spriet Stage as the first show of the season. Lezlie Wade, Matthew Atkins and Julius Sermonia, are joined on the creative team by Set Designer **Julia Callon**, Costume Designer **Meghan Choma**, Lighting Designer **Jareth Li**, Sound Designer **Brian Kenny**, Intimacy Director **Kerry Hishon**, Vocal Coach **Tora Klassen**, Stage Manager **Kelly Luft**, and Assistant Stage Manager **Melissa Cameron**. The Grand Theatre High School Project *School of Rock* plays on the **Spriet Stage** at the Grand Theatre from **September 22 to October 3**. Tickets start at $29 and are available at [grandtheatre.com/event/school-of-rock](https://www.grandtheatre.com/event/school-of-rock), by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. Discounted 17 & Under pricing available. The Grand Theatre is grateful to offer **Canada Life Pay-What-You-Can** pricing, presented on Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. The Grand’s popular six-show Spriet Series subscription remains available and continues to offer the **best pricing** and **best theatre experience.** Audiences may also purchase a particular title from the season roster or bundle three or four shows together to build their own season at the Grand with additional savings. To learn more about *School of Rock*, the Grand Theatre High School Project, and the Grand’s **2026/27 Season: All in Grand Time**, visit [grandtheatre.com](https://www.grandtheatre.com/) and follow along with @thegrandlondon on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thegrandlondon), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandLondon/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-grand-theatre/), [Threads](https://www.threads.com/@thegrandlondon), [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/thegrandlondon.bsky.social), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@TheGrandTheatre/), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@thegrandlondon), & [Substack](https://substack.com/@thegrandlondon). The Grand Theatre’s upcoming **2026/27 Season: All In Grand Time** is made possible through the generous support of Season Sponsor **BMO**, Downtown Community Partner **Old Oak Properties**, Pay-What-You-Can Presenting Sponsor **Canada Life**, Emerging Artist Talent Sponsor **TD,** Student Club Presenting Sponsor **Lexus of London**, Holiday Wish for Kids Presenting Sponsor **Sifton Family Foundation**, Lerners Stage Sponsor **Lerners**, Apparel Partner **New Era Grafix**, our 2026/27 Season Title Sponsors **Linda & Bill Ross**, **BlueStone Properties**, **Digital Extremes, London Hydro,** and **McCormick Canada**, and public funders the **City of London**, **Canada Council for the Arts**, **Ontario Arts Council**, and the **Province of Ontario**, and all our community partners and business sponsors. Grand Theatre High School Project ## SCHOOL OF ROCK Based on the Paramount movie by Mike White Book by Julian Fellowes Lyrics by Glenn Slater New Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber ### STUDENT CAST Miss Wagner – Lily Barned Mr. Williams / Mr. Green – Charlie Burnett Ms. Bingham / Bobby (No Vacancy, Keyboard) – Raya Campbell Mason Ward – Leland Chafee Mr. Spencer / Theo (No Vacancy) – Patrick Coombs Ms. Janes / Stanley – Gwendolyn Cornies Billy Sandford – Peyton Crosby Dewey Finn (Guitar) – Isaac De Melo Ms. Gordon / Neil (No Vacancy, Bass) – Rilla De Souza Miss Ward / Jeff Sanderson – Isla Fitzsimons Pit Band Musician (Electric Guitar) / Snake (No Vacancy, Guitar) – Emmett Franck Lawrence Turner (Keyboard) – Sam Harson Mrs. Hathaway – Cordelia Hawley Madison – Isabelle Hiltz Mr. Mooneyham – Jake Hoare Mrs. Sheinkopf / Policewoman – Aya Holzberg Sophie – Sarah Jenkinson Mrs. Travis / Mrs. Noble – Solange Kirkwood Katie Travis (Bass) – Malaya MacDonald Summer Hathaway – Marian Viancy Mamigo Patty Di Marco – Lara Manocchi Tomika Spencer-Williams – Amaya Musvosvi Zack Mooneyham (Guitar) – Paxton Nair Rosalie Mullins – Isabelle Parent Mr. Woodard / Doug (No Vacancy, Drums) – Duncan Patrick Mr. Sandford / Gabe Brown – Owen Petersen Mrs. Macapugay / Security Guard – Tessa Pritchett-White Marcy – Taylor Reaume-Cunning Mr. Turner – Sal Rogers Shonelle – Solarah Rose James – Olivia Rossignoli Freddie Hamilton (Drums) – Daxton Scurr Mrs. Hamilton / Mr. Sanders – Alexandra Stockford Ned Schneebly (Keyboard) – Junior Van Geffen Dance Captain: Isabelle Hiltz ### PRODUCTION STUDENTS Props – Stanislava Chulkova Props – Chloe Laporte Props – Ollie Neeb Props – Elodie Wilson Wardrobe – Margaret Frisa Wardrobe – Madelaine Prémont Wardrobe – Rian Renaud Wardrobe – Tiffani Seed Wardrobe – Maria Van Geffen Scenic Art – Abby Cullaton Scenic Art – Koda Greene-Cavanagh Carpentry – Kade Campbell Stage Management – Juliana Dinnin Stage Management – Quentin Vieira Sound – Samuel Craig Sound – Nina Madelska-Hallows Photography & Marketing – Emma Hope Development – Amar Moussa ### CREATIVE TEAM Director – Lezlie Wade Music Director – Matthew Atkins Choreographer – Julius Sermonia Set Designer – Julia Callon Costume Designer – Meghan Choma Lighting Designer – Jareth Li Sound Designer – Brian Kenny Intimacy Director – Kerry Hishon Vocal Coach – Tora Klassen Stage Manager – Kelly Luft Assistant Stage Manager – Melissa Cameron ### MUSICIANS Matthew Atkins – Conductor / Keyboard I Dereyk Goodwin – Drums Alexandra Kane – Keyboard II Jeff Lupker – Guitar Aidan Wasse – Bass -30- The Grand Theatre is located on the traditional territories of the Original storytellers and caretakers of this land and the Nations, both settler and Indigenous, who continue to uphold the various treaties of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapéewak. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (colonially known as North America), and acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we live, work, share, and tell stories together. **ABOUT THE GRAND THEATRE – WORLD CURIOUS. LONDON MADE.** The Grand Theatre is known for **world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario**. As **southwestern Ontario’s premier producing theatre** and **one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada**, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond. At our home in downtown London, we create productions on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the Auburn Developments Stage (144 seats). The Grand season of theatrical offerings runs from September to May, and we collaborate with companies and artists across the country through our co-productions that see London Made artistic and creative work travel to audiences nation-wide. Through our successful **New Play Development Program**, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of theatre writers and creators. Our recently renovated venue offers a contemporary and welcoming environment that is also home to several successful music series, community arts rentals, and cultural and special events. A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual **Grand Theatre High School Project**. As the first program of its kind in the country and currently in its twenty-eighth year, the High School Project involves as many as one hundred high school participants annually from schools across the region. These students participate at no cost and take on roles both on stage and off, in a fully realized mainstage production under the direction of a professional creative team. For more information, visit: [grandtheatre.com](http://www.grandtheatre.com). **MEDIA CALL** When: Wednesday, September 23 at 1 p.m. (Cameras, please arrive at 12:30 p.m. to set up) Where: Spriet Stage, Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond Street, London, Ontario What: Photo, video, and interview opportunities for media. **PHOTOGRAPHY** [https://thegrandtheatre.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/MarketingDept/IgCUiue-x9\_qSZRXUf2giWREAT70ejqs2D1kqlVMHjSRmZQ?e=Fq0uUO](https://thegrandtheatre.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/MarketingDept/IgCUiue-x9_qSZRXUf2giWREAT70ejqs2D1kqlVMHjSRmZQ?e=Fq0uUO) When available, production photography will be added to the linked folder above. If you are working towards a deadline and are including photography, please contact Melissa Mae Shipley for the best and fastest options available at any moment. **FOR MORE INFORMATION & ALL MEDIA INQUIRIES** Melissa Mae Shipley, Communications and Public Relations Manager mshipley \[at\] grandtheatre.com (mshipley\[at\]grandtheatre\[dot\]com) office: 519.672.9030 x266 cell: 519.280.4008