By Northern Sport Culture and Recreation

Fourth Northern Drama Festival a Huge Success

May 1, 2012 | 4:26 PM

Congratulations to the five northern youth drama groups and their directors involved in the Northern Drama Festival on April 27 & 28, 2012 at Rossignol High School in Ile a la Crosse. The plays were: The Randomness of Heart (A comedic drama by Ashley Petite and Shayden Petit by Twin Lake School, Buffalo Narrows; Waiting for Joe Doe (A Comedy by Duncan Ball) by Charlebois School, Cumberland House; Robbing Hood (An adaptation of the play “Robin Hood” by Tim Kelly) by Rossignol High School, Ile a la Crosse; Mayor Pig M.I.A. (A Comedy written by the Pinehouse Directors and Youth) by Minahik Waskahigan School, Pinehouse; and The Huge Lake Trout (A Comedy by Karen Maxwell and Rochi Sanderson) by Chief Moses Ratt School, Sucker River.

The Festival started with rehearsals on Friday, followed by the performances from all five groups that evening. The Northern Drama Festival began with a welcome from the host community and Principal Vince Ahenakew and Dorothy Dubrule from the Northern Village of Ile-a-la-Crosse.

The Festival was emceed by Maureen Belanger and Duane Favel, aka “Ernestine & Alphonse” who kept the audience entertained between the drama group’s performances.

The support from the host community of Ile-a-la-Crosse was fantastic, with an estimated audience of over one hundred people in their beautiful facility. On Saturday, there were production workshops with the adjudicators for all five groups, as well as other drama games and workshops. The weekend concluded with an awards program.

Congratulations to the Rossignol High School drama group, who came away the winner of the Northern Drama Festival! They will represent the north (Region 12) at the Provincial Drama Festival on May 10-12, 2012 in Regina. All five drama groups received several other awards and certificates presented to actors, for visual and technical aspects of production, stage management, spirit of the festival awards and most courteous cast and crew, which went to the community drama group from Minahik Waskahigan School in Pinehouse.

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“I think (the best thing about the Northern Drama Project) is what the students learn on their own and from each other to do their best for the group process.” said Jane Laxdal, one of the Directors with the Pinehouse drama group. “… Every time I perform I become more confident.” said Shayna Burnouf, youth participant from Ile-a-la-Crosse. “The acting was the greatest part. Having to see many communities come together to perform.” said Leah Ahenakew, youth participant also from Ile-a-la-Crosse.

“For the fourth year in a row, Ile-a-la-Crosse did a fantastic job hosting the Northern Drama Festival. Special thanks to Alice Ratt, Edna Daigneault, Vince Ahenakew, Ted Flett, Bev McLean, and the many other volunteers for all their work as host.

All of the participating youth did a great job whether it was their first time on stage, or experienced performers. The NSCRD is proud to be part of this Northern Drama Festival with the Saskatchewan Drama Association and working with the participating communities.

Thank you again to Saskatchewan Drama Association and this year’s adjudicators. We look forward to next year. It is so rewarding to see the confidence grow and the leadership develop with the youth from year to year.” says Judy MacLeod Campbell, Program Manager for Culture and Community Development with the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District.

For more information, contact:
Judy MacLeod Campbell, Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District
922-2008