A CHRISTMAS STORY: Theatre Orangeville will reprise A Christmas Story, a hilarious comedy featuring local child actors, which will run from November 26 to December 20. Shown here are Jamie Williams (father), Robin Schisler (mother), Colin Simmons (Ralphie) and Aidan O'Brien in the 2004 Theatre Orangeville Production. Contributed Photo With rehearsals about to begin for the upcoming Christmas play at Theatre Orangeville, which has a tradition of including several young actors, we thought we would take a back-stage look at how it all goes together and how the youngsters deal with the world of theatre.

"As artistic director," said David Nairn, "my hardest job is programming but, personally, the hardest is to have to say 'no' to a kid, after his audition."

We were talking about the next play to come to Theatre Orangeville, Christmas Story, in which seven local children are acting, ages 6 to 13, and which Mr. Nairn will direct.

In order to act on the stage at the theatre, all cast members must audition, bringing their résumés and being prepared to deliver a three-minute monologue.

"The kids' auditions are exactly the same as the professionals' in terms of preparation," Mr. Nairn said. "We treat them the same, make the same demands. We're trying to give them that experience."

For first-timers, it is a very different world they are entering. It should be the best thing they can think of doing, for the demands and the work ethic are high, and the responsibility to do and behave their best rests squarely on their shoulders.

For starters, they are out of school for basically two months, including rehearsal time and the 26 performances of the play that that they have to do. This means doing school work during rehearsal when they are not needed on the stage.

This is, actually, an important issue which must be taken seriously. However, participation in the play is seen as such a huge and beneficial learning experience that every effort is made to accommodate it.

"The schools totally get it. They recognize the unique experience this is for the kids," said Mr. Nairn expansively, "and we have retired teachers come in and help with the homework. I tell the kids: 'It doesn't matter how talented you are, the important thing is school.'"

He continued with the remark: "Usually the kids involved with the theatre are really bright — straight A's."

Initially, the learning curve is very steep, for the children also start learning about the importance of discipline well before the acting begins. They are paid for their time; this is a job and, by the bye, Mr. Nairn tells them promptly that he is not their friend; he is their boss, their employer.

For six-year-old Tyler Simpson and seven-year-old Christopher DuBois, at least, this will likely be a new relationship.

As this is now a professional gig, there are new stringent rules: they cannot go skiing or snowboarding (in case of injury). They have to dress in accordance with the weather — proper coats, hats, gloves (in case of illness). As they are not at school, they will see less of their regular friends and texting is out.

"If a cell phone rings during rehearsal," Mr. Nairn, said, outlining the conditions of employment, "that person pays a dollar; language which is inappropriate for children is 25 cents. At the end of the play, we decide which charity gets the money."

They will learn new things about friendship, for they will become friends, colleagues — almost family for awhile — with their fellow adult actors. During the course of the production, there are no differences among them from the point of view of respect. There are no stupid questions; every opinion is valued. All are on an equal footing; just as every role within the play matters to the whole, so does every actor, regardless of age.

Hence, the matter of discipline is paramount, about which Mr. Nairn assured me: "We've already had a conversation about discipline."

There is much at stake. The Christmas play is always the biggest event of Theatre Orangeville's year in many ways. It has the biggest cast, the most elaborate stage setting. A great deal of work and money goes into the play at Christmastime, with many more people involved.

"So, it has to be good and everyone in it has to be good, so that people will all want to come," Mr. Nairn pointed out. "There are a lot of very talented kids and I say to them: 'Is there anything else that gives you as much pleasure as this?' If the answer is no, then I know they'll be good. I look for the fire in their eyes —even the little ones. I look for their focus."

Mr. Nairn admits that the majority of the children who act in this year's production will not go on to be professionals, which is just as well, as making a living acting can be a heart breaking business. Nevertheless, the thrill and the lessons learned from this experience will stand every one of them in good stead for life.

He related a story about one of the play's actors, Sam Grant, at age 13 the oldest of the young actors. After his initial audition, Mr. Nairn asked him to come back with a monologue about bullying because his part in the play is of a bully.

When the boy returned a few days later, he performed a monologue about the subject which Mr. Nairn declared was "chilling." He was even more impressed when he learned that Sam had written the piece himself.

It is this essential element that Mr. Nairn watches for: "I look for willingness to be brave, to work outside the box, to do something in a completely different way." He ruminated for a few seconds, "to do it on faith. It takes a lot of courage to get up on that stage in front of people. They have to be very brave."

He smiled with anticipation of the work — his and theirs. "I know that not one of them will let me down."

Continued next week.