Light Up Live

This post was written by Tyler McDonald (edited by Ms. Cruickshank). Tyler is an SSS Drama member and Grade 12 student:

In a year where the future is foggy, the world seems uncertain, and people are struggling; it is our friends and colleagues in the theatre industry that continue to be a beacon of hope throughout these unprecedented times. This industry has been hit hard, arguably, one of the hardest hit industries in Canada. Theatres were the first to close, technicians, actors, directors and playwrights were the first to lose their work, and stages have “remained dark” since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The doors have remained closed, and as an industry we are “standing by”, unsure when we will be back to creating what we love most in the world. Similar to the theatre closures during the Black Plague in Elizabethan England in 1593, we were the first to close, and we’ll be the last to re-open.

However, our hope remains in a single question: when? We don’t ask ourselves if theatres will open back up, we ask ourselves when? There is a finite amount of time before we will be back in rehearsal halls, on stages, in booths, waiting in the wings, anxiously anticipating that first cue.

You may have seen some of the #LightUpLive events on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. This was a night of visibility to light up live event performance venues across the country with red light to remember the thousands of artists, technicians, crews, producers, directors, stage managers, suppliers and venues that are currently out of work and “standing by”. As their website states, “The effect of shutting down a $100 billion industry in Canada will have unimaginable impacts on both companies and individuals. Already, the vast majority of live event workers have been out of work or on government support since March, with no end in sight. The arts, entertainment and recreation sector lost 152, 000 of 486, 100 jobs between June 2019 and June 2020” (lightuplive.ca/about)

If you missed out, you can still contribute by sending your selfie to: lightuplive.ca and follow on social media.

While our industry is ravaged and knocked down, we are here, waiting and ready. We must look at the COVID-19 Pandemic as an intermission, and we must hold onto the hope that we will be back to creating live events that evoke empathy and allow free expression that our world needs. We will be back calling cues, setting levels, focusing lights, warming up and cooling down. We will be back doing quick changes, set changes, mic changes and band changes. We will be back hoping to make you laugh, cry, sing along or dance once more. 

Take a moment out of your day, think about all of the live event workers who have impacted you, without ever knowing their names or seeing their faces. Consider these live event technicians, artists and crews, who willingly give long days, and even longer nights; those who miss time away from their loved ones, and countless holidays, all so that by the time you walk through the door to have your ticket checked you can simply sit back and enjoy the show.

This is a moment in time. An intermission. The show will go on. It must.

September 22, 2020 - KW Aud #LightUpLive

Auditions!

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Get Involved

Looking to get involved with SSS Drama? Have you dreamed of being on stage? Do you have a strong work ethic and like to take risks?

Auditions

Auditions for the 2018-19 SSS Drama season will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 2:30-5:30pm in the Drama Room (rm. 132). Come prepared with a 30 second monologue, and wear comfortable rehearsal clothing (i.e. sweats, yoga attire etc.). Be prepared to stay for the entire 3 hours.

What are we working on?

This year’s show is still in the works (title TBA), but there has already been a tremendous amount of prep work put into it.

This year’s production will also be co-directed by a student director, Sophie Diebold & Ms. Cruickshank.

For inspiration we used this video created by former SSS Drama Alumni, Emily Ernst. Her video captures the overall atmosphere, tone and message we are striving for this year.

Crew

Looking to get involved, but not on the stage? There are a number of crew roles to be filled this year in the areas of media, tech, management/leadership, costumes, props, hair and make-up. If you would like to volunteer for a crew role please contact SSS Drama’s stage manager Kat Borrias-Spitzig as soon as possible: borrk0276@wrdsb.ca

Year-End Celebration in Stratford!

On Friday, May 25, 2018 Southwood Drama attended a trip to Stratford, ON to celebrate the end of their year with Ms. Amy Cruickshank and Mr. Troy Dettwiler.

The students participated in a hands-on workshop on the Festival Theatre stage with some of the Festival’s actors from the cast of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Next, the students had a lovely picnic lunch by the Avon River surrounded by picturesque nature. They got to try York Street Kitchen’s fresh sandwiches, and Boomer’s Fries famous gourmet fries…mmm.

Then, the students watched a matinee performance of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Festival Theatre. The performance blew them away because of the conviction, emotional depth and precision each of the actors portrayed in their roles.

From there the students were treated to a delicious Italian dinner at the swanky Pazzo Taverna & Pizzeria downtown.

After some evening shopping, the students watched the evening performance of The Rocky Horror Show at the Avon Theatre. The students were amazed at the high-energy, fast-paced choreography and incredible vocals by the entire cast. They were up in the aisles dancing along with the cast during the curtain call.

It was a memorable, fun-filled day with so many adventures that we will all remember for a very long time!

Here’s to 2018-19!

Southwood Drama Finalists for the 36th Annual Bernice Adams Culture and Community Awards

On Thursday, May 24,  2018 Southwood Drama attended the awards gala at the Galt Country Club for the Bernice Adams Memorial Awards with Ms. Amy Cruickshank, Ms. Vida Collis and Ms. Meghan Drummond.

Southwood Drama was nominated as a finalist in the “Outstanding Youth” category for the Bernice Adams Culture and Community Awards by the City of Cambridge for their contributions to their community this year for the 2nd Annual Galt Ghost Walk (October 2017), their contribution and performance light installation at the City of Cambridge’s UnSilent Night (December 2017) their consent community awareness night (January 2018), their consent performance #MeToo (September 2017-March 2018), and their work with Annabel Lee (September 2017-April 2018) for the National Theatre School Drama Festival of Ontario.

In addition, Ms. Cruickshank was also nominated as a finalist in the “Performing Arts” category.

The gala was an exciting opportunity for the team to dress up and celebrate the culmination of all of their hard work this year in the performing arts within their community.

Congratulations to all for this incredible accomplishment and community recognition!

 

 

#MeToo


We have been working on this piece since September 2017 in partnership with the Waterloo Regional Police. We were given the opportunity to create a performance piece in response to the issue of consent, sexual harassment and sexual assault, as it seems like no one wants to talk about this challenging topic. As a class, we agreed that this issue was important to bring to light in our community to allow for education and a better understanding for everyone. An issue of this magnitude often goes unspoken in society, ignorance is not bliss. With this performance we hope to spark a change in our community and culture. If we can educate and help even just one person, than these countless hours of hard work will all be worth it.
If you want to be a part of this change, we invite you to attend our Consent Public Awareness Night that will take place this Friday, January 12, 2018 at 7pm at Southwood S.S. to hear a variety of guest speakers discuss this hot topic, and our final performance.

UnSilent Night with Southwood Drama

Southwood Drama is working on a light installation project in collaboration with the local artist in residence, Gary Kirkham. Join us: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017, 7:00PM Location: Cambridge City Hall, 50 Dickson Street Details: http://cambridge.unsilentnight.com/