Region 1 SDA Festival: Awards

Congratulations to Lampman School! Their production of THE MOUSTACHE won Best Overall Production and will be headed to Provincials in Regina this May. I look forward to seeing how the provincial audience reacts to the terrifying final moments of the show. The audience in Carlyle was screaming with fright, so I can only imagine an audience twice the size will roar.

The adjudicators ran through the list of awards quite quickly, so I was unable to write them all down. However, here are a few of the main awards that were handed out:

Runner-Up to Best Overall Production went to Redvers' production of MISS BETH. Best Visual Production went to Moosomin's 27 REASONS NOT TO BE IN A PLAY. Best Technical Production was awarded to Lampman's THE MOUSTACHE. The Mary Ellen Burgess Award for best actor/actress was given to Kaley Aime for the role of Samantha in MISS BETH. I thought she was extraordinarily creepy in the play, so this was certainly well deserved. In addition, here are the awards my 3 plays snagged over the weekend:

SELFIE
Acting Medal: Emily Klatt for the role of Laura
Technical Medal: Desiray Weber for sound
Acting Certificate of Merit: Daysha Smith for the role of Tyrese
Acting Certificate of Merit: Megan McAuley for the role of Morgan
Technical Certificate of Merit: Jasmine Pylatuik for crew
Unsung Hero: Brook Zacharias

TEACHERS ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
Bob Hinitt Award for Technical Excellence: Payton Hannem for directing
Best Stage Manager Runner-Up: Payton Hannem
Acting Certificate of Merit: James Forester for the role of Jordan
Technical Certificate of Merit: Drew Fleck for lighting
Unsung Hero: Payton Hannem

SMARTY PANTS
Most Courteous Cast and Crew
Acting Certificate of Merit: Judah Wardrope for the role of Dallas
Acting Certificate of Merit: Kyle Bye for the role of Taylor
Acting Certificate of Merit: Jillian Hietanen for the role of Casey
Acting Certificate of Merit: Anna Doty for the role of Blair
Technical Certificate of Merit: Brittany Rowe for prompter
Unsung Hero: Kyle Bye

Congratulations to all of the schools and students who participated in this year's festival! It was a terrific weekend of plays and I know for a fact that everyone involved had a great time. I'd also like to extend my thanks to everyone in Carlyle for the warm welcome, particularly Darcy Howe, Kevin Dyck, Dean Zacharias, Justine Stephanson, Rae Nicoll, and Shannon Klatt. They treated me like a VIP all weekend and I hope they know how much I appreciate their support and encouragement.

Now I have a few weeks off before I'll be back in Saskatchewan once again for the Middle Years and Provincial Festivals, May 5-10. Hope to see you there!