Drama students from BPDSS, Walkerton District Community School, and PSDS participated alongside SDSS students for the inaugural Bluewater Drama Festival March 20. Photo submitted

Hub Staff

The dramatic arts were alive and well as Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS) played host to the Bluewater Drama Festival March 20. Drama students from Bruce Peninsula District Secondary School in Lion’s Head, Walkerton District Community School, and Peninsula Shores District School in Wiarton participated alongside SDSS students in a day of ice breakers and dramatic tune-ups culminating in three one act performances.

“The energy that drama kids bring to an event like this is inspirational,” said SDSS Dramatic Arts Teacher Leslie Turcotte. “They're excited and when they're meeting each other it’s kids who have that same enthusiasm. It’s fun they get to meet new people and try new things within a safe environment where they know that they're going to be accepted because they're among peers and people that love drama,” she added.

Actors from each of the four participating schools received an hour of stage time where they could rehearse one-act plays that were being performed during the evening. Students from SDSS performed “Drop Dead Juliet” which they are taking on the road to the Ontario Drama Festival (formerly the Sears Ontario Drama Festival) in Stratford this weekend.

During the festival actors got enhanced training in the art of improve, stage-combat and process drama, taught by a Bluewater Drama teacher in attendance.

Turcotte said that student actors learn many life-skills from participating in the dramatic arts and that it’s great for them socially and emotionally. “They will use these skills no matter what occupation they get into,” said Turcotte.

Bluewater Drama Festival participant, Alexa of Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS), “throws” a swing at Caileigh of Bruce Peninsula District Secondary School (BPDSS) during the stage-combat training session. Hub photo

Festival participant, Meena of Peninsula Shores District School (PSDS) in Wiarton, gets her long locks “pulled” by SDSS drama student Amelia during the stage-combat training session March 20. Hub photo

Teacher Tara Stanton from BPDSS in Lion’s Head taught students the art and tricks of stage-combat. Hub photo

Four schools from Bluewater District School Board participated in a mini-drama festival held at Saugeen District Secondary School March 20. Hub photo