Richmond Hill student readies 'Gatsby' for Vaughan stage

Laura Nobili, 17, directing, producing 2nd play in Vaughan

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 28, 2023
Brian Capitao

The performing arts are often a cathartic release for young people.

As young people learn about themselves and the world, they are captivated and inspired by stories.

Meet Laura Nobili, a local Richmond Hill teen with experience in composing. The ambitious 17-year-old has put her love for music on full display previously with the musical “Macbeth” at Vaughan’s City Playhouse Theatre.

Now she plans to bring “The Great Gatsby” musical into the spotlight, the second play she is producing and directing.

The classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel centres on the Roaring ’20s or jazz era.

“I read the story of Gatsby when I was in Grade 9, and it has such an interesting atmosphere that I felt would be very captivating on the stage,” said Nobili.

The work is now also in public domain. That’s good news for Nobili, who has had to finance the project herself.

“Everything was personally (financed) just from the money I've made from teaching piano and doing tutoring,” said Nobili.

She credits the Vaughan City Playhouse as being extremely helpful in assisting the production.

“The staff there have all been amazing. They all have helped me so much by giving me information about exactly doing things. The technicians have all been very helpful. The stage is also like a very nice venue, and I like that all the seats are pretty good. So everyone can get a good view of the show,” said Nobili.

It’s a change of pace from the tribulations with her school.

Nobili, who asked her school not to be named, says her YRDSB school would not let the play be promoted on school grounds lest she give over creative control and performed the play in the school’s cafeteria.

But Nobili is keeping her spirits up as the show approaches.

“I feel like jazz music has a certain energy to it that really brings people a lot of joy. It's kind of hard to explain exactly how I'm feeling about it, but the music feels like it makes everyone want to move and it gets people very involved,” said Nobili.

The premiere of the musical is taking place at the City Playhouse Theatre on Oct. 18.