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Top billing for Staples

It was a week of drama at R.F. Staples School. Students put their talent on display during the school’s one-act play competition on Tuesday, April 19, before the top two plays went on for encore performances at DramaFest April 21-23 at CATS Theatre.
Ryan Barlow (left) and Holly Roberts act out a scene in the play Locked In during a night of one-act plays at CATS Theatre on April 19.
Ryan Barlow (left) and Holly Roberts act out a scene in the play Locked In during a night of one-act plays at CATS Theatre on April 19.

It was a week of drama at R.F. Staples School.

Students put their talent on display during the school’s one-act play competition on Tuesday, April 19, before the top two plays went on for encore performances at DramaFest April 21-23 at CATS Theatre.

There, they competed against actors from 10 other schools, winning three awards for acting, female performance and hosting.

Although no plays from R.F. Staples will go to provincials, drama teacher Susan Bowsfield said the week was a fantastic learning experience for all who participated.

“Wonderful compliments to all of the students who are involved in our drama program for their graciousness and hard work,” Bowsfield said. “The quality of what they provided for the rest of the students was outstanding.”

Bowsfield said students directed and performed five plays in total, with two, Blood on Canvas and Locked In, making it to DramaFest. Though teacher involvement is always necessary, she said, the bulk of the work for both was done by students.

“I removed myself from that process because I’m biased. I know how much effort they put in and where they started from,” Bowsfield said.

“It’s supposed to be what show is best produced in front of an audience, so it easiest and best if I remove myself.”

All in all, Bowsfield said she was pleased with the shows at this year’s fest.

“We had some newer students, some more novice actors, as well as our most experienced,” she said. “I was thoroughly impressed with all of the shows. Each show exceeded my expectation.”

Of note, Holly Roberts’ performance in Locked In received an honourable mention for acting.

Samatha Fauque and Ashley Nielsen also received the Bechdel award for their representation of strong female characters.

The award is named for the Bechdel test, a literary assay employed to see whether female characters have interactions without the need for participation from or dialogue based on male characters.

Their drama, Blood on Canvas, wove a tale of deceit and murder in which an art dealer is killed and impersonated by a nameless villain who must then convince an investor of her deadly charade.

Aside from producing and acting in the plays, Bowsfield said students go above and beyond by simply performing.

“It’s totally student-directed. We balance things out as far as the people go and everything else they’re in charge of,” she said.

Bowsfield said R.F. Staples used to prepare two plays that it would send off to compete at DramaFest.

This year, however, R.F. Staples decided to align itself with other schools and hold a school-wide one-act festival first.

“It’s an excellent chance to learn those transferable skills to the real world—time management, work management, where do we get our set from? They do it on a shoestring budget, which is no budget,” she said.

•With files from Sean Steels

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