Wiikwemkoong youth to star in ‘Annie: the Musical’ at Sudbury’s YES Theatre

MANITOWANING—In the green room at Debajehmujig Creation Centre, 12-year-old Ogeequa Williston Osawabine meets with The Expositor to talk about her leading role in ‘Annie: the Musical,’ soon to run at the YES Theatre in Sudbury. 

Acting is nothing new to this young thespian, here is what The Expositor’s Michael Erskine wrote of her in the summer of 2022: “A bright new star arose with the launch of Debajehmujig Storytellers latest collaboration with Manifesto Poetico, ‘If I listened…’ (‘Jiishpin Bizindimaa…’), which premiered on July 27. While the entire production was outstanding, the incredible performance of nine-year-old Ogeequa Williston Osawabine presages great things to come—it is well worth catching the production just to watch this amazing young kwe in her leading role.”

Great things indeed are coming. Her involvement with the YES Theatre began when her mother, Christine Williston, took Ogeequa to a production of ‘The Magic Stone.’ “Then I saw Matilda a few times,” Ogeequa explains. Ms. Williston was doing work for the theatre – she was a costume designer who was pulled out of retirement for the production, which is why Ogeequa got to see it several times. Her mother felt it was an opportunity to introduce her daughter to the exciting work that goes on behind-the-scenes, backstage, “where all the cool people are,” she says. “But Ogeequa was bored to tears and kept sneaking out to watch the rehearsals.”

So, at that point in her young life Ogeequa was very comfortable acting in front of an audience, but she was adamant about singing. ‘No! Not in front of people.’ So, what changed? Well, after that introduction to the YES Theatre, she became immersed in learning drama and musical theatre. YES Theatre runs classes on Saturdays, March Break, summer camps, and Ogeequa has taken part in all of it. Soaking it all up and, finally, feeling comfortable singing in front of people. When tryouts for Annie began, Ogeequa was encouraged to try out for the lead role by none other than the Artistic Director of YES Theatre, Alessandro Costantini.

Here is what Mr. Costantini has to say about the young performer: “I am so grateful to have this remarkable young artist tackling this iconic role. Ogeequa is such a brilliant emerging talent with a beautiful, natural ability for storytelling and performing. The show is going to be a mammoth undertaking for all of the young performers. It’s a huge piece and they are working under the direction of Canadian Theatre legend and icon, Peter Hinton. I know that Ogeequa will rise to the great challenge, and her performance will be distinguished and heart exploding!” That’s a powerful endorsement.
“It’s very exciting, the idea of being onstage. I’ve always liked the idea of being onstage, especially since I’ve grown up in a theatre family,” says the young thespian. She has dreams of doing Broadway and, with her talent and determination, it’s quite within her reach.

“They’re not singing at a regional theatre level, they’re singing at a Broadway level,” Christine Williston says of this ensemble cast. She accompanies Ogeequa to every rehearsal and, through the generosity of Wiikwemkoong, their costs are being supplemented. They have the use of an Airbnb when rigorous rehearsals go long and late. 

Ogeequa Williston Osawabine is one of two performers taking the lead in the musical. “Most of the youth ensemble is double casted, or even triple casted,” she says. “The youth ensemble is huge. It’s complicated.” The part of Annie will alternate between Ogeequa and another girl, who “has an amazing voice,” Ogeequa says of her co-star. She shares a few little bits of information about what you can expect, then stops. “Okay, I’m not going to yack about that because you’ll just have to see it to figure it all out. I’m not telling you anymore. You’ll have to see the show.” And she means it. And, after speaking to Ogeequa for any length of time, there’s no doubt in your mind – you must see the show. 

‘Annie: the Musical’ opens on November 20and runs till December 22. You can get your tickets online at: yestheatre.com and, as soon as the schedule is set, Christine Williston will be happy to share with you those performances in which her daughter will star.

by Margery Frisch