March 8, 2012
DSBN Schools Score Hat Trick at Sears Drama Festival
Three DSBN student productions are being asked for an encore performance after being named best in show at the 2012 Niagara District Sears Drama Festival held in Welland. Grimsby Secondary, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School and Stamford Collegiate will be packing their costumes, sets and props before heading off to Chatham to present at the Regional Sears Drama Festival in April.
During the awards banquet on March 2, festival adjudicator Kelly Daniels noted the exceptional quality of all the productions. Daniels said the level of talent showcased made it incredibly difficult to choose just one winner in each category. Awards were presented to individuals as well as production casts and crews.
“From the opening curtain to the final bow, audiences were captivated by these wonderful plays,” said Gerda Klassen, DSBN Arts Consultant. “Students and staff have put months of hard work into building sets, memorizing lines and rehearsing. They should all be commended for their careful preparation and professional performances.”
Festival coordinator Stewart Simpson said the event covered a “stunningly wide-range of theatre. Any one of these fine productions could have gone on to represent the Niagara region with distinction.”
The Regional Festival will take place at the Chatham Cultural Centre from April 23 - 28. Two productions at the Regional Festival will be invited to perform their plays at the Ontario Showcase happening in North Bay from May 9 - 12. This event 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.
The following is a full list of DSBN schools and students that took home awards from the Niagara District Sears Drama Festival held at Welland Centennial Secondary School, from February 27 – March 1.
Peltoma Award for Outstanding Productions:
The Man Who Laughs – Grimsby Secondary
Rhinoceros – Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School
Lockdown – Stamford Collegiate
Best Experimental Play
Alice in High School: A Semi-Musical Journey Through Decision-Making – Sir Winston Churchill
Best New Play
2112, St. Catharines Collegiate
Best Play for Social Issues
Rumour Has It, Eastdale Secondary
Best Visuals Award
The Man Who Laughs, Grimsby Secondary
Mac Dodge Award for Best Student Directed Play
Hannah Fuaco, Welland Centennial
Most Promising Student
Kristiaan Hansen, Beamsville District
Awards of Excellence
Set Design
The Man Who Laughs, Grimsby Secondary
Sound
Rhinoceros, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School
Costumes and Props
The Man Who Laughs, Grimsby Secondary
Choreography
Lockdown, Stamford Collegiate
Supporting Actress
Emily Oldfield, South Lincoln High School
Supporting Actor
Dayne Schwarz, St. Catharines Collegiate
Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical
Lauren Andrews, Sir Winston Churchill
Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical
Ernesto Ruiz, Welland Centennial
Best Actress in a Drama
Chrissy Pinnavaria, Stamford Collegiate
Best Actor in a Drama
Jeremy Knapton, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School
Awards of Merit
Cameo
Ketrice Anderson, Fort Erie Secondary School
Clown
Michelle Kett, Grimsby Secondary School
Inanimate Object
Dylan Kent and Brett Murray, Welland Centennial Secondary School
Courage under Adversity
K.C. King, Fort Erie Secondary School
Best Song
Miranda Niro, Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
Best Video
Robert Bradnam, St. Catharines Collegiate Secondary School
Comic Relief
Kartell Beswick, Stamford Collegiate Secondary School
Transformation or “Change”
Calvin Miller, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School
Live Sound
Cast of “War”, Beamsville District Secondary School
Ensemble
The Cast of “Coming Home”, South Lincoln High School
The Big Risk
The Cast of “Rumour Has It”, Eastdale Secondary School