It's that time of year again, as high schools across Saskatchewan are preparing for their one act play festivals. I remember as a teenager looking forward to these weekends the whole year long. The weeks leading up to the festival, I could barely sleep from all the excitement. So it's funny that 12 years later, I am still looking forward to them, but from the other side of the stage. Instead of memorizing my lines, now I anxiously wait to find out which schools in my home province are producing my plays for the very festivals that inspired me to become a playwright in the first place.
This year I am very happy to be close enough to attend two of these performances. Maple Creek is producing High School for Dummies and Carlyle is set to perform Laughing Stock. Both plays are perfect for competitions and have done well in the past. However well they do, it's exciting to know how many students are spending sleepless nights learning words that I came up with many moons ago. Also of note, Yorkton Regional High School will be performing Imaginary Harry in Canora on March 26th as well. I can't make it to their show, but anyone in the vicinity should make the trip and cheer them on.
On March 8th, I will be in Maple Creek, speaking with the audience and students about the play. If you happen to be nearby, please stop in and say hello. Also, I will be in Carlyle on March 26th to support Gordon F. Kells and their cast. I only wish I could always meet the people involved in my plays. They always inspire me to keep writing, and if I listen closely enough to what the students have to say, the well of creativity never runs dry. Teenagers are ever growing creatures and it's my job to keep up with what matters to them most.
