February 24, 2009
Curtain About to Rise on 2009 Niagara District Sears Drama Festival
Drama students at the District School Board of Niagara are busy running lines, putting the finishing touches on sets and adjusting lighting, all in anticipation of the 2009 Niagara District Sears Drama Festival. The Festival runs from March 2 – 5 at Welland Centennial Secondary School.
“This event is truly a labour of love for students and staff who have worked so hard to put together these thoughtful and engaging productions,” says DSBN Arts Consultant Gerda Klassen. “Students will manage every aspect of these productions from start to finish. They interpret, direct and perform the plays, and they also work on costumes, lighting and stage design.”
The Drama Festival also represents a real collaboration between students and staff at the DSBN. Plays being performed by students at St. Catharines Collegiate and South Lincoln High School were both penned by teachers.
Students will showcase their productions in front of an experienced adjudicator who will provide a critique. This year’s festival will be adjudicated by Stephanie Jones, Artistic Director for the Essential Collective Theatre Company based in Niagara.
Klassen says the opportunity to have professional feedback will help students as they continue to grow as actors and playwrights. She adds that “students will also learn from watching their peers perform on-stage. Each school and each production brings a unique element to the Festival, giving students an opportunity to see a variety of different ideas, styles and interpretations.”
At the District level, awards will be given for Outstanding Production, Individual Performances, Stage Management and Technical Achievement. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are presented to acknowledge outstanding student performers, writers, directors and technicians.
District Finalists will be invited to one of six Regional Festivals being held during the month of April. Two Outstanding Productions from each Regional Festival are invited to perform at the Ontario Showcase, held in Kingston from May 13 - 16. At the Ontario Showcase, the festival is noncompetitive. However, a number of awards will be given at the discretion of the adjudicator. There are prizes for writing and technical skill, as well as scholarships and bursaries awarded to help recipients pursue careers in performing arts.
Curtain time is 7:00 p.m. each night, and tickets are available at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Welland Centennial is located at 240 Thorold Road West.
The following is a list of DSBN schools participating in this year’s festival, their performance dates and a brief synopsis of their productions.
Monday, March 2
Welland Centennial Secondary School
Stages
Stages is at least 2 plays going on at once, the outer play is the interaction of the artists involved in the production of the inner play. This play is an in-depth look at the life of an actor and the world of putting on a production.
Tuesday, March 3
Grimsby Secondary School
The Skriker
The Skriker, a creature of ancient folklore, returns to the modern world to warn of oncoming disasters.
St. Catharines Collegiate
Pianoman
Pianoman is an original piece that follows the life of Peter, an autistic savant who has a gift for playing the piano. After finding Peter wandering the streets, James, an ambitious reporter, works to uncover the mystery surrounding this gifted young man. As the play continues, James obsession grows. The play explores the black and white world of Peter’s diagnosis, with Peter’s colourful imagination.
Wednesday, March 4
Governor Simcoe Secondary School
Tracks
A group of strangers meet in a dirty subway station. They have arrived with the claim that they are in different cities and with limited personal belongings. Soon they learn that there is no way out of the station.
Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School
Trojan Woman – Euripides
Pacifist play dealing with the aftermath of the ten year war between Athens and Troy
Thursday, March 5
South Lincoln High School
Stuck
Kamryn works at The Kitch. Will is in love with her. One big problem: her boyfriend is the kid who has tormented Will all his life.
Stamford Collegiate
The Pursuit of Perfection
This play breaks down stereotypes about eating and body image disorders. The characters are diverse and explore the issue through their own lives.
Fort Erie Secondary School
Paper or Plastic
It’s Sarah’s first day at work as a checkout clerk at a supermarket. Through the course of the day, she deals with a variety of interesting customers and co-workers.
Fort Erie Secondary School
Harlequin Holds the Bag
Scapino and Leander try to convince Pantalone to allow Leander to marry Isabelle.