PDHS drama club celebrates standout showing at festival

Tyson Leversage and Ben Reid, both Grade 10 students at Paris District High School, earned an Award of Merit at last week’s National Theatre School Festival at BCI for their standout performances as the Angels in Death is a Canadian.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

Students from Paris District High School earned multiple honours at the National Theatre School Festival, held last week at Brantford Collegiate Institute.

The school’s Drama Club presented Death is a Canadian, earning recognition for both performance and technical achievement while also being acknowledged for its overall contribution to the festival atmosphere.

“For the second year in a row we have been awarded the Spirt of the Festival Award which is given to the school whose infectious spirit is evident throughout the festival week,” said Kaitlyn Bishop, PDHS Drama Club and English teacher.

Bishop said students demonstrated strong support for fellow participants throughout the week.

“Paris attended every night to cheer and support the other schools. They waited to congratulate all the actors as they came out from their adjudication and even volunteered to assist the hosting school with duties when they were short-handed the final night,” she said.

The group also received a Technical Award of Excellence for its use of projections, a notable accomplishment given the limitations of their home stage.

“This award comes with great pride, as unfortunately at our school we don’t have access to lights or projections with our stage. So, we had to learn it all and try it for the first time during our 2-hour tech rehearsal at BCI the day of the performance,” Bishop said.

“Our students were so well rehearsed but also showed ingenuity and maturity when learning in the moment.”

In addition, two Grade 10 students, Tyson Leversage and Ben Reid, earned an Award of Merit for their performances as the Angels.

“Lastly, we won an Award of Merit for our Dynamic Duo who played the Angels, Tyson Leversage and Ben Reid. These two young actors only in grade 10 had electric chemistry on stage and were a highlight for the adjudicator,” Bishop said.

“They made us laugh but with purpose and put a lot of effort into their costumes.”

The festival marked the second consecutive year Paris District High School has participated. Last year, the group earned a costume award, an individual acting honour and the Spirit of the Festival Award.

With the festival complete, the drama club is now preparing for its upcoming main stage production, Puffs; Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. Performances are scheduled for April 30 and May 1 at 7 p.m., with additional shows May 2 and May 3 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.

Donations will also be accepted during the run to support improvements to the school’s small gym, including the addition of stage lighting for future productions.