Surrey drama students take centre stage at One Act Play Festival
The One Act Play Festival is back! Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary hosts the long-running drama festival this Wednesday, Jan. 31. (Photo submitted by Jonathan McIntosh)
One of the longest-running festivals in Surrey Schools history returns to Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, setting the stage for drama students across the district.
The One Act Play Festival – which takes the spotlight on Wednesday, Jan. 31 – has been running in Surrey since the 1990s, offering drama students the chance to perform for fellow theatre peers from other schools. This year’s daylong event has seen an uptick in participation, with students from eight schools performing 10 plays.
“Since the pandemic, I think people are happy to get in front of an audience again and teachers are finding it’s a worthwhile event,” said Grandview Heights Secondary drama teacher Jonathan McIntosh. “We took it for granted almost but we really came together and appreciated each others’ suggestions and feedback and collegiality, and it’s a renewed support for the festival.”
“The desire for collaboration, both among educators and students, has increased since we’ve been able to return to normal,” said Frank Hurt Secondary teacher Stephanie Henderson, who is also president of the Surrey Drama Teachers Association. “It’s really just an opportunity for each of the schools to celebrate the students and the work that’s coming out of it.”
Participating secondary schools include Enver Creek, Fleetwood Park, Frank Hurt, Johnston Heights, Lord Tweedsmuir, North Surrey, Princess Margaret and Tamanawis. The works include the zombie play Apocalypse Together, the stop-and-start comedy Cut, and even the musical Six, along with some original student plays.
“That’s the awesome thing about the festival, how students really own their work – they’re so proud of it and we try to make it as supportive of an atmosphere as we can,” said McIntosh. “We all have our own programs so it’s nice for them to see what students at other schools are doing and that there are programs similar to theirs.”
Both McIntosh and Henderson said the festival provides a chance for students who may only have a small theatre community at their school to see and share in the creativity of each others’ works.
“They can kind of see themselves reflected in other areas and other ways instead of feeling like the only version of them exists in their school,” said Henderson. “Having a built-in audience to share all this work with and being able to see yourself reflected onstage is a really great opportunity for these kids – they get to see there are other people who are doing what we’re doing.”
The One Act Play Festival runs Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary.
