Txt or Die named best production at Sears Festival

A very happy Txt or Die cast takes a moment to show off their Outstanding Production Award at the Sears Regional Drama Festival at West Ferris Secondary School Saturday.

It is not very often you find Bears excited about being in the house of Trojans but Saturday night was an exception. Txt or Die cast members of the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Bear’s Drama Club erupted in cheers as their show ‘Txt of Die’ was named Outstanding Production at the Sears Regional Drama Festival.

Txt or Die, which was written, directed and starred student Joshua Pride, is about a look into the future of students, the power of technology and the imminent collapse of interpersonal relationships. Pride also received the Adjudicator’s Award of Excellence for writing and directing the play. Cast mates Sean Campbell, Jason Manella, Nicole D'Anjou and Elijah Kaslauskas also received the Adjudicator’s Award of Excellence for thier portrayal of students 'S1289, S9821, S3472, S4587'.

In his public address during the awards ceremony at West Ferris S.S. adjudicator Andre Perrier said the actors who portrayed the futuristic students were a joy to watch.

“I am very happy about the choices I made,” he says, noting he would like to have four tables worth of awards to acknowledge the vast array of talent demonstrated by the students.

“A lot of these shows could go on to the next level ... I know these two will do very well at the provincial level.”

“This experience you will keep inside of you for a long, long time,” he tells the students.

Also moving on to the next level for their outstanding production is ‘Sabotage? Sabotage!’ by L’école secondaire MacDonald Cartier of Sudbury.

Widdifield student Linsey Callahan finished out her high school drama career on a high note taking home her third straight Stage Manager’s Award for the school’s production of Mirrors. Callahan will attend the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal in September. Also getting the adjudicator’s nod was Angela Blais who received an Adjudicator’s Award of Excellence for her role of Mother, while Jesse Beam received an Award of Merit for his role as Chip Peterson and Ashley Offredi received an Award of Merit for her work on costumes.

Meanwhile, Almaguin Highlands Secondary student Eric Rich (Near North School Board’s Student Trustee) received Adjudicator’s Award of Excellence for his monologue ‘Getting Over Heart Attack’ in Emotional Baggage. Fellow cast mate Breanne Clelland received an Award of Merit for her monologue ‘Insecure About Looks.’

École secondaire catholique Algonquin also took home hardware with an Adjudicator’s Award of Excellence for the band’s music composition for Pacamambo and an Award of Merit handed out to Michelle Denis for her comedic portrayal of Grandmother Marie-Marie.

St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Bear’s Drama Club is off to the Sears Provincial Showcase in Kingston, Ontario May 13th to 16th. Txt or Die will showcast on the Grand Theatre stage Saturday, May 16th.