Central Catholic Student in NW Ohio Theatre Educators Production
Central Catholic High School senior Mykailah Welborn has been selected to perform in the musical Come From Away, a production of the NW Ohio Theatre Educators Network. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the show will take place September 9-13 at the Maumee Valley Country Day School Millennium Theatre (1715 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, 43614).
Tickets are available in advance at TEN.Ludus.com and in person at the box office beginning one hour before each performance. Wednesday-Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday show is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under age 10 and for first responders.
The show’s student cast and crew and the adult production team represent eight different area high schools - Bowling Green, Central Catholic, Lake, Maumee, Maumee Valley CDS, Perrysburg, Springfield, and Sylvania Southview. Amy Corser ’93, who works at Springfield High School, is stage manager for the production. The Northwest Ohio Theatre Educators Network is a grassroots organization of Northwest Ohio high school theatre directors and area theatre professionals who provide networking support and educational opportunities within and throughout their educational theatre programs. This is the first time the group has collaborated on a production of this nature.
Come From Away is based on the true story of the time when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar, and the recognition that we are all part of a global family. The show is an uplifting reminder of humanity’s ability to come together, no matter what the circumstances.
In Come From Away, Mykailah plays the role of Margie, a local resident of Gander who helps welcome and care for the stranded airline passengers. She also portrays several other characters in the ensemble cast. She is a member of the Drama Club at Central Catholic, and she has previously appeared in the CCHS fall plays A Wrinkle in Time and This Murder Was Staged, and the spring musicals The Little Mermaid and Hairspray.
“I am very grateful for the support of the CCHS family,” Mykailah said. “Participating in a show with people from so many different schools is definitely a different experience, especially since a lot of the students in the show go to school together and I'm the only person from a totally separate school. But all of my castmates are really nice people and very welcoming.
“I'm learning new things from this experience, such as different ways of warming up for rehearsals and how to portray multiple characters with only simple movements. I'm excited to share this with my CCHS castmates, as I believe it will benefit us in the long run!”
“I am thrilled for Mykailah to be in this production of Come From Away!,” said Angela Mills, Central Catholic Drama teacher and Drama Club moderator. “Mykailah is a talented, dedicated CCHS Drama Club and Glee Club student who has earned this opportunity. Come From Away is an uplifting musical that showcases what it means to support each other and be a light even in the most dire circumstances. A collaborative production among high schools is truly in the spirit of this musical, and I encourage everyone to attend this production to cheer for Mykailah and her castmates!”
