Marc-André Bélair

What to say? What to say? I always found these personal profiles for websites and the like reminiscent of signing a yearbook, although slightly less personal. All right then. The basics: I'm 18 years old, and a grade 13 (OAC) student at Gloucester High School. I was born in Montréal QC, and lived the first eight years of my life on military bases in Montréal or around Germany. I suppose you could say that gave me a well-rounded cultural education, and has allowed me to define myself more clearly as a proud Canadian, however, it has left me with a somewhat intriguing condition: Wanderlust. I love to travel, and I always will. My dream is to have a "home-city" where I have an apartment, and I would spend the rest of my time working for some corporate entity travelling the world, plying my trade and whatnot. Perhaps politics too. I've been involved with the musical theatre program at Gloucester High School since I arrived in 1995 (such a long time ago! Where has the five years gone?), minus a year last year. I've only acted in two previous musicals: West Side Story and 42nd Street, and I did A/V for Pirates of Penzance, but I tell you, I'm darn tootin'ly happy to be playing the role of Don Quixote de la Mancha/Alonso Quijana/Don Miguel de Cervantes. This is a particularily challenging role for me, and I am enjoying the depth and breadth availble in the character greatly. This year is going to be great. This is my last true High School experience, and trust me, I am enjoying it to its fullest. Never have I been more alive than on the stage of GHS, and besides, it's not every day you can flash your teachers and Go-Go dance on stage to the rockin' beats of New Order and their kickin' track Confusion (I can't believe I said that!). Anywho, as a custom, I'd like to leave a few (thousand) thanks to those people who've really helped me through the last few years. Of course, the family, no matter how much nagging is involved, my bestest best friend Mara, because when her and I are together, the world smiles upon our sick and twisted, yet "charmingly diagonal" humour. To Shawn for allowing me to cry, and allowing me to be me. To the man of my dreams, wherever you are, whoever you might be, for always giving me a glimmer of hope that I might hold you. To the lunch crew, who I can always shout "Unauthorized Entry!" to and still get the same reaction every day. To Ryan, Guy and Todd, my fabulously beautiful boys for dealing with my sometimes unpredictable moods, especially in regards to A/V. To Nielle, for our friendship which oddly enough resembles an arch-nemesiship. To John, for being in bloody Vancouver, and allowing me a venue for my next stage of growth. To Craig, for showing me that honesty is still, in fact, the best pol icy. To A/V, just 'cause they deserve a well earned pat on the back. To Nigel Farnsworth for the wonderful herring. To schlarenchyma because it just sounds so damned cool. To MarmaMAB, whatever shape it takes. To the sweet sweet sugar of the Tim Horton's Corporation. To flashing people during rehearsals (with clothes on of course). To New Order and Confusion for some amazing trax. To relaxation (what's that?) Lastly, I'd like to thank a few teachers who've really done more than fill my head with knowledge, but have helped fill my heart with hope and inspiration. To Mrs. Armstrong for helping me through my endless balancing act of commitment versus sanity. To Mr. Wright for allowing an open, accepting and gender-bias free forum to discuss philosophical issues. To Mr. Gellner for helping me find one of my future callings, and for being a fair and honest individual. To Mr. Coveny for helping me find my inspiration in the written word. To Mr. Brodribb for bringing energy to the class room. To Mrs. Scott for always bringing a smile to my face. To Mrs. Stinnet, for showing us that teachers aren't only your teachers, but your peers and friends. I could go on forever. In fact, I've come close to my prediction of a thousand. All for the better too. This is just as bad as writing a yearbook entry, but hey, it's worth it.If you'd like to get in touch, don't hesitate to contact me at my e-mail address mabelair@aries.on.ca I hope you enjoy(ed) the show! Sincerely, Marc-André Bélair AKA: MAB, Queen of the Fairie Patrol doing good deeds for all around the world.