There are two things you can count on when Drew Mills takes on a directing project — he’ll make room for young talent and there will be music. 

Thus reads a release for Mills’ latest venture, “Crossing Over,” a fundraiser for Trent Valley Archives to be staged at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre May 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. and May 31 at 2 p.m. 

The play tells, in words and music, the story of the Peter Robinson emigrant ship, the John Barry, and its perilous six-week journey from Ireland to Canada.

“Drew said that he was planning to turn the stage into the bustling deck of a 19th-century sailing ship and simulate the storms, but turning the script into a quasi-musical will make a much bigger splash,” said Ed Schroeter, lead playwright on “Crossing Over.”

Mills has added traditional instrumentalist Michael Ketemer as musical director to the production, as well as a chorus under the vocal direction of Elaine Day. The chorus consists of costumed background actors, singers, stagehands, and sound effects crew members, who perform traditional Irish songs.........

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