April 4, 2013
Curtain Set to Rise on 2013 Niagara District Sears Drama Festival
William Shakespeare’s classic line, “All the world’s a stage,” certainly holds true for dedicated students putting the finishing touches on a number of creative, funny and thought provoking productions for the 2013 Niagara District Sears Drama Festival. This year’s event runs from April 7 – 9 at Welland Centennial Secondary School.
“The festival is a unique and authentic opportunity for students to experience the demands and joys of theatre production,” says DSBN Arts Consultant Gerda Klassen. “Through this process, students manage every aspect of their productions from start to finish. They interpret, direct and perform the plays. Students also work on costumes, lighting and stage design.”
Students will showcase their productions in front of an experienced adjudicator who will provide a critique. This year’s festival will be adjudicated by Pablo Felices Luna, artistic director of Carousel Players.
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 participate in the Regional Festival, scheduled to take place in Hamilton from April 16 - 19. Two Outstanding Productions from the Regional Festival will be invited to perform at the Provincial Showcase, held at Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School in Hamilton from May 8 - 11.
Curtain time for the District Festival is 7:00 p.m. each night. Welland Centennial is located at 240 Thorold Road West.
The following is a list of DSBN schools participating in the 2013 Niagara District Sears Drama Festival and their performance dates:
Sunday, April 7
Laura Secord Secondary School
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Fort Erie Secondary School
Drama Geeks
Stamford Collegiate
Dog Sees God
Monday, April 8
Welland Centennial Secondary School
Trial by Judy
St. Catharines Collegiate
Broken
Tuesday, April 9
South Lincoln High School
Pages
Governor Simcoe Secondary School
Property Rights
Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School
Big Love