Snow didn’t stop W-ODSS students from delivering exceptional performance last weekend

Alex Ottoson (Steve Marsh), Phoenix Charland (Tony Bishop) and Sophie Ernewein (Pamela Marsh) perform during Saturday’s performance at Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School’s production of Silver Dagger. Contributed photo

By Amanda Modaragamage

Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (W-ODSS) has wrapped up its fall production of Silver Dagger by David French.

Despite Friday night’s performance being cancelled due to weather, Alecia Sparks, director and W-ODSS drama teacher, said the community showed strong support during Saturday’s matinee and evening shows, where students performed in front of nearly sold-out audiences.

“We didn’t let the snow stop us,” said Sparks. “The cast and crew both did a phenomenal job on both our matinee and our evening performances on Saturday. Several audience members were really impressed with the actors’ memorization of the complex dialogue.”

Audience feedback praised the students’ strong memorization, the functional set design and the collaborative effort behind the scenes.

Sparks noted they received many compliments on the set, which was built by students in a construction class. The performances drew friends, family, students and even staff and teachers from other schools within the Waterloo Region District School Board.

Sophie Ernewein, a Grade 10 student who played Pamela Marsh, said her role pushed her out of her comfort zone and made her become a better actor.

“This is my second play,” she said. “Last year, I was Ari, and this year was one of the biggest roles I’ve ever done. It was a challenge because I went from a very shy character to a very confident character, so this performance tested my abilities and made me a stronger actress.”

Ella Jones, the Grade 11 stage manager, said she valued the opportunity to support younger students and work with multiple departments.

“It’s great to work with younger students who look up to you,” she said. “I love all the younger students so much. I really appreciate them looking up to me in that way and being able to guide them.”

Jones added she was proud of how the performance came together, crediting actors, tech crew and set-design teams.

“All our actors did an amazing job and everybody backstage, including tech and set design, did an amazing job,” she said.

Huxley Morton offered emotional praise to the cast and crew after Saturday’s final show.

“I struggle to find words to describe the immense level of effort each and every one of you, from our crew to classes, staff members and cast, has placed into this performance,” he told the team. “The bar we set out to reach was high, and yet, through your resilience, we’ve managed to make it through our final show. I couldn’t be more impressed by your resolve, nor more grateful for your contribution.”

Sparks also thanked the school’s administration team – including Mr. David Linnerth, Mr. Aaron Holmes and Ms. Emily Campbell – along with staff and community members who supported the production.

“It was really nice to see the support from the community,” she said. “We had a mixture of friends and family, lots of students and a few guests from other schools, as well as staff from the Waterloo Region District school board who came out to support our students.”

W-ODSS is now preparing for its spring show, which will feature student-written productions. More details will be shared later in the school year.