Falk was one of more than 200 actors, directors and crew from schools throughout Moose Jaw who took part in the 40th annual Region 2 Drama Festival at A.E. Peacock throughout the weekend. His performance as older son Nate in the 35-minute one-act play was an emotional one but at the same time one he was more than used to after years of experience dating back to elementary school performances.
As one might expect, that helps immensely when you get on stage.
“It gets a little bit easier, but the nerves are never going to go away, you’re always a little nervous when you’re going on stage, it’s like your heart is pounding and you’re looking out into the crowd and everyone is looking back at you,” Falk said during a break between plays on Saturday afternoon. “You feel like everyone is like ‘oh, he’s going to mess up’ but then you realize everyone is there to have a good time and that takes the edge off.
“It does get easier with time, though, you get to know what to expect.”
That feeling showed throughout the weekend, as actors from schools all over the city showed skill and ability beyond what one would normally expect from a high school – or even an elementary school with Caronport and Lindale also putting together impressive performances.
“That’s the thing about Moose Jaw, we’ve come to expect that you’re going to see good theatre, you’re not just going to see high school shows, you’re going to see good theatre and that’s pretty special,” said Cornerstone’s Tanya Johnson, host co-ordinator for the event alongside Lindale’s Charmaine Collinge.
“Moose Jaw is just a great theatre town, so all the schools have great programs with fantastic effort and support from teachers and parents, and then the kids just shine on stage. So this festival hasn’t been disappointing at all.”
This year’s plays included ‘Face Your Fears’ by Lindale School, ‘Boxes’ by Cornerstone Christian School, ‘The Seussification of A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Milestone School, ‘Nora’s Lost’ and ‘Hint’ by Vanier Collegiate, ’12 Angry Pigs’ by Caronport Elementary School, ’10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’ by Riverview Collegiate, ‘Cut’ and ‘Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit’ by A.E. Peacock to go along with Cornerstone’s ‘Walkin’ Home’.
The event was more than just a series of shows for parents and grandparents – the top plays advance to the Saskatchewan Drama Association Provincial Festival, taking place May 9-11 at the University of Regina.
To that end, adjudicators are on site essentially from set-up to tear-down, watching and marking each step of the way, with a host of awards ranging from technical production to acting ability presented at the end of the weekend.
“Every aspect is marked, and even our technical rehearsal is looked at,” Johnson said. “When we come in we get 90 minutes to set up our productions, there’s adjudicators who are working with our students at that point and how we’re organizing our shows. So they judge that, as well as the performance front of house, the acting and the overall production.”
The best move on to the provincial festival, where it should come as no surprise to anyone who saw this weekend’s plays that Moose Jaw tends to do quite well.
“You’re usually competing against the best 11 or 12 plays in the province, they’ve all advanced from their regions so they’re going to be really good,” Johnson said. “And it’s a great experience for the kids, they get to learn so much… from performing in a new theatre to the acting techniques they pick up in their workshops, it’s just amazing.”
Be sure to watch here for full results from the Region 2 Festival in the near future!
