MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw’s talented young performers took centre stage this month as elementary and high school students delivered standout performances during the Saskatchewan Drama Association’s (SDA) Region Two Drama Festival.
The festival, held recently at A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s Centennial Auditorium, featured performances from six schools in the area.
Two Moose Jaw schools win regionals
Cornerstone Christian School’s production of “How to Win a One Act Play Competition” earned the runner-up spot, while A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s “Stressed” was awarded Best Overall Production. Both schools will now advance to the Provincial Drama Festival, scheduled to take place at A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s Centennial Auditorium from May 8 to 10.
“It’s a chance for kids to get together and meet other kids across the province, share ideas, attend workshops, and work with professionals in all the different areas of theatre,” said Darlene Briere, executive director of the SDA.
“Lifelong friends are formed at this festival, for the kids and for teachers as well,” she added.
The Region Two festival was hosted by Cornerstone Christian School, with principal and co-director Tanya Johnson serving as the event organizer.
Performances included “The Most Watched, Least Viewed Talk Show in History” by Briercrest Christian Academy from Caronport, “4 A.M.” by Riverview Collegiate, “Forthcoming” by Vanier Collegiate, “Stressed” and “Conflict” by A.E Peacock Collegiate, and “The Hallmarks of Horror” by Central Collegiate.
Adjudicators evaluated each production based on an examination of on-stage performance and technical execution during rehearsals.
“We have two adjudicators at each festival — one for front of house and one for the backstage,” Briere explained. “They work with the students during technical rehearsals and provide feedback on the actual production.”
These specific scores, as well as the adjudicator’s criteria and any specific feedback is kept confidential to maintain the integrity of the judging process.
Headed to provincials
The upcoming SDA Provincial Drama Festival will bring together top productions from nine regions across Saskatchewan. Due to a lottery system, Region Two was granted two spots at provincials this year, allowing both A.E. Peacock Collegiate, the winner, and Cornerstone Christian School, the runner-up, to compete at the next level.
The other lottery system winners this year include Region Nine (Regina) and Region Eight (North Battleford), who will also send two schools each to the provincial festival.
This year’s provincial festival is dedicated to Ian C. Nelson, a longtime mentor and adjudicator from Saskatoon who died last year.
“Ian was instrumental in the formation of the SDA,” Briere noted. “He supplied us with mentorship for our adjudicators, particularly in the front of house, and we still use his wisdom to pass on to new adjudicators.”
Tickets are exclusively available at the festival site and can be purchased on a cash-only basis, starting on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8.
Admission is $15 per play session, with a festival pass available for $50. Children under the age of 10 can enter free when accompanied by an adult.
A.E. Peacock Collegiate is located at 145 Ross Street East.
For more information, visit SaskDrama.com, call the Regina Beach office at 1-306-525-0151, or email [email protected].
