Two plays by Melfort students earn spot at this year’s provincial drama festival

“Somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain came this idea of what do masks think about because we spend a lot of time thinking about masks… from that came this notion of giving those masks, based on what kind of mask they are, different personality traits.”

Specifically, the idea came to Armstrong last year during the school’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ as the students had to wear masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in him wanting to develop a story where the masks were a focus, not something they needed to wear just to perform.

From one story based on current events to another as the school’s production of Booby Trap will also be shown at the provincial festival.

This story, which was named running up at the regionals, focuses on a soldier reflecting on his life during a time of war.

“With what’s going on in the world, it gives the students an opportunity to tell a very special story from one person’s perspective and the impact choices and war have on our life,” said assistant director Rachelle Heavin.

It’s set nine years in the future and takes place in an eastern European country, though the story doesn’t say which one.

Meanwhile, the majority of their actors have roles in both plays.

Booby Trap is the bigger production, so it includes the school’s standard crew, while students not performing in The Box are taking over the duties of the crew such as lighting, sound, and stage manager.

Heavin noted this just shows how talented their actors are.

“The Box is a comedy; Booby Trap is a drama, and you see how well-rounded the actors and the crew are when they can deliver two totally different plays with excellency.”

The provincial festival in Regina is taking place from May 5 to 7 at the University of Regina’s Riddell Centre.

Regional Awards

The production of The Box wasn’t the only winner from this year’s regional awards festival.

Held at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort on April 8 and 9, plaques and medallions were handed out for several categories.

Taking home the Mary Ellen Burgess Award for Acting Excellence was MUCC’s own Maclin Corbett, while Alexis Heavin was named runner-up. Acting awards of merit were also given to Sawyer Armstrong and Yetunde Ige.

The Bob Hinitt Technical Performance Award was given to Sam Schnellback. A technical award of merit was also awarded to Emmerson Armstrong.

The Best Stage Manager recipient was Paije Fettis.

The production of Booby Trap also won the Best Technical Crew and Best Technical Production awards. It was also named the best visual production.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by Jaryn Vecchio

Two plays by Melfort students earn spot at this year’s provincial drama festival

What's Trending