This year's Region One Drama Festival was hosted by Lampman. Bringing together youth in the region to participate in acting, directing, and stage production many people were present to enjoy the event.
The event was held on April 19 and 20, with a number of students taking part in the weekend activities, which were focused on drama.
The youth enjoyed themselves taking part in a Mardi Gras social held following the Friday performances. While Saturday saw a banquet prior to the awards ceremony.
Students also partook in drama related workshops throughout the weekend and enjoyed performing as well as being entertained by the other presenters.
School drama groups from Lampman, Oxbow, Carlyle, Arcola, and Moosomin all took part in the weekend.
"The weekend went extremely well!" Christine Branyik-Thorton, drama teacher at Lampman and regional facilitator this year of the Dramafest. "It was great to see all of the students working together on in between show activities and to be able to facilitate new friendships around a common interest."
In the end the best overall production went to Lampman for "Boy Meets Girl: A Young Love Story," with Moosomin's McNaughton School being awarded runner up for "The Pitch."
The best technical production went to McNaughton for "The Pitch," while Lampman took runner up with "Magic Fairy in the Microwave."
The best visual production was also won by McNaughton for "The Pitch." Lampman's "Magic Fairy in the Microwave" was chosen as runner up.
Tiana Palmer of Lampman School won best stage manager for "Magic Fairy in the Microwave." Second place then went to Payton Hannem with Arcola School for "It's Not You, It's Me."
Oxbow students performing in "This is a Test" then won for having the most courteous cast and crew.The Mary Ellen Burgess Best Actor/Performance award went to Maya Branyik-Thornton with the Lampman School who played the character of Katie in "Boy Meets Girl."Runner up for this prize went to Samantha Paxman who played Sam in Lampman's production of "Boy Meets Girl."McKayla Crouse of Moosomin won the Souris Valley Theatre Best Characterization Award for portraying Brenda in "The Pitch."
Acting Merit Awards were handed out to four individuals including Cassie Eaton of Arcola for her roles as Sarah and Gabriella in "It's Not You, It's Me." Ian Stewart of Oxbow was recognized for portraying Alan in "This is a Test." Jillian Hietanen of Carlyle received recognition for portraying Heart in "Outside the Box." Finally Kierra McKnight of Oxbow was recognized for playing Lois in "This is a Test."The Bob Hinitt Technical Performance Award went to Rebecca Schwanke with McNaughton for costume and makeup, while the runner up was Rebecca Scheerschmidt of Oxbow for her backstage contributions.Technical Merit Awards were given to Shelby Stephen for sound design and Tara Fleck as follow spot lighting, both are from Lampman. Drew Fleck of Arcola was recognized for lighting and sound, while Jessica Baker with McNaughton was recognized for the stage management binder.Recognized as Unsung Heroes were Arcola's Drew Fleck for "It's Not You, It's Me." Sarah Harrison of Oxbow for "This is a Test." Pearl Barnes of Oxbow was also recognized for "Fairy Tales Go to Court." Marissa Owens of Carlyle received recognition for her part in "Outside the Box," while Nick Schmidt of Carlyle was acknowledged for "I Don't Want to Talk About It." McNaughton student Sierra Thom was recognized for "The Pitch," while Shelby Stephen of Lampman was acknowledged for "Boy Meets Girl," and finally Skye Fichter of Lampman for "Magic Fairy in the Microwave."Acting Certificates were awarded to Morgan Jones (Serial Killer Mom) and Carley Greening (Sarah) for their parts in "Magic Fairy in the Microwave." Carlyle students Nick Schmidt (Kyle) and Brook Zacharias (various roles) received recognition for their roles in "I Don't Want To Talk About It." Marissa Owens (Brain) received one for her character portrayal in "Outside the Box."Technical Certificates were awarded to Dustin Kautz for lighting in "Boy Meets Girl" performed by Lampman students, while fellow Lampman student Skye Fichter received a certificate for backstage management with "Magic Fairy in the Microwave." Carlyle student Megan Shirley received recognition for stage management of "I Don't Want to Talk About It," while Jordan Patriquin received praise for prompting and Brooke Zacharias for being a kite flying technician in "Outside the Box."
The many youth in attendance had fun and learned a lot during their short time in Lampman.
"Congratulations to all the schools, both teachers and students who were involved with festival, it was great to have that energy under one roof and from the quality of the shows it is easy to see why Region One is such a strong festival," Mrs. Branyik-Thornton exclaimed.
They all did a wonderful job in their productions, but Lampman having won the best overall production will advance to Regina to perform "Boy Meets Girl: A Young Love Story" at the University of Regina in the Theatre Department on May 11."I am very proud of our students at Lampman and am thrilled that we are able to take the show to the Provincial festival next month," Mrs. Branyik-Thornton stated. "Provincials are such a great learning opportunity for my students and for Mary Ellen Burgess winner, Maya Branyik-Thornton who will graduate and head off to theatre school this fall, it is especially meaningful to have the chance to be on the Provincial stage one more time."
