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

Cruickshank Wins a Bernice Adams!

Our fearless leader was nominated as a finalist for the Bernice Adams Awards in the category of Performing Arts and she won!

Ms. Cruickshank and Mr. Dettwiler attended the event held at the Hamilton Family Theatre on September 18, 2019 (two weeks after giving birth to her second baby) where Ms. Cruickshank was awarded with the Bernice Adams Award.

The annual awards night serves to recognize citizens whose contributions to arts and culture have made a significant impact on the Cambridge community.

The cultural awards committee encourages the public to submit nominations for excellence in the following categories:

• performing arts

• music

• literary/communication arts

• visual arts

• outstanding youth

Ms. Cruickshank’s win is a testament to the incredible impact SSS Drama has had in the community over the years. Great work team!

Finale Performance of “Sometimes I Look Up to the Sky”

Southwood Drama students are performing one final performance on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at St. Benedict CSS in Cambridge. Don’t miss the “Sometimes I Look Up to the Sky” finale performance.

Doors open at 7:00 PM
Show begins at 7:30 PM
All tickets $5 at the door only

Enter the school from the front entrance beside the library. Free parking is available at the school.

This is your last chance to see one of the top 12 plays from the NTS Ontario Festival Showcase.

If you have any questions about the performance, send us an email!

Spread the word!

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Award-winning trailer

Check out the award-winning trailer from the NTS Provincial Showcase at Brantford Collegiate Institute. Edited by Rowan Dubois and Tyler McDonald.

Award-winning trailer from the NTS Provincial Showcase

Drama Club wins more awards at NTS Provincial Showcase

The Southwood Drama Club had their final performance of “Sometimes I Look up to the Sky” at the NTS Provincial Showcase. The club represented one of the twelve best plays in Ontario. The performance left the audience in tears and recieved a standing ovation. Extra congratulations to Tyler McDonald for winning an award for sound design, Rowan Dubois and Tyler McDonald for best trailer and Sophie Diebolt for directing. Congratulations and it has been a amazing journey with an exceptional group.

Read the follow-up story in The Record.

Fan Bus for Drama Performance

Southwood’s award winning production of “Sometimes I look up to the sky” is heading off to the NTS Provincial Showcase in Brantford on Thursday May 9th and we want you to cheer them on!

Here are the details:

WHEN

Thursday May 9th, 2019

Depart: Load the bus at Southwood Secondary School at 4:15 PM SHARP!

Return: Load the bus at Brandford Collegiate Institute at roughly 9:00 PM.

WHERE

Brantford Collegiate Institute 

COST

$10 for the bus

$10 cash at the door for general admission

BUY TICKETS

Call the main office (519-621-5920) or see Sophia D. for tickets

Sometimes I look up to the sky – NTS Provincial Showcase

Southwood’s Drama Club will be performing the award winning production of “Sometimes I look up to the sky” on Thursday May 9, 2018 in Brantford.

Location

Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
120 Brant Avenue
Brantford, ON, N3T 3H3
519-759-3210

More information

You can find more information about the Provincial Showcase on the website.

Show Poster

Check out our new show poster!

Drama Club wins 4 awards at NTS Festival – Moves to the Provincial Level

Southwood Secondary School’s Drama Club wins 4 awards at the National Theatre School (NTS) Western Regional Showcase (formerly SEARS) on Saturday, April 13. The production “Sometimes I Look Up to the Sky” received overwhelming feedback from the NTS Adjudicator and audience. In addition, the club will represent the Waterloo Region District School Board at the NTS Provincial Showcase.

Why this is a BIG deal

The NTS Provincial Showcase involves the best 12 dramatic theatre shows of approximately 360 performances across Ontario, based on a yearly average. Considering we are a small school, this is exceptional. Factor in that the club has made it to the Provincial level twice in 4 years is just plain awesome.

The students should be extremely proud to be performing among the top shows in the Province.

Awards

The awards taken home at NTS Western Regional Showcase include:

🎭Regional Award of Merit for New Play

🎭 Regional Award of Excellence for Bravery/Risk

🎭 Regional Award of Excellence for Collective Ensemble Creation

🎭 Regional Award for Outstanding Production for Western Regional Showcase

How you can help

Thanks for your continued support of these young artists. If you would like to help the drama club at the NTS Provincial Showcase, consider making a tax deductible donation online to our Waterloo Education Foundation Incorporated (a registered charity).

More information about the NTS Provincial Showcase on May 8-11 in Brantford will be forthcoming. The more fans in the audience, the more these young artists will feel supported by their community.

Thank You

Thank you to Bear Creek Secondary School for graciously hosting this year’s Regional Festival. Thank you for the enduring support of the staff and volunteers.

  • Mr. Gary Kirkham
  • Monica & Graham Braun from Monigram Coffee Roasters
  • Mr. Troy Dettwiler
  • Ms. Emily Ernst
  • Ms. Jennifer Sceviour
  • Tatyana Palmer
  • Ms. Katie Grant
  • Ms. Megan Drummond
  • Mr. Trevor Sinke
  • Ms. Autumn Russell
  • Ms. Molly Muck
  • Mr. Jake Kroeker
  • Mr. Jason Blair
  • Mr. Andrew Renner
  • Mr. Garret Titus
  • Mrs. Anne Hastings
  • Ms. Pauline Dill
  • Ms. Pam Patel
  • Ms. Vida Collis (our ever-supportive principal)

Photos from the NTS WesterRegional Showcase

Southwood Drama Club Wins 5 Awards and Moves on to Regionals

Congratulations to the Southwood Drama Club for winning 5 awards at the National Theatre School’s Waterloo District Festival for their 2018-2019 production of “Sometimes I Look Up to the Sky”.

Awards

  • Tyler McDonald won an Award of Merit for Sound Design
  • Rowen Dubois, Mackenzie Kehl, and Tatyana Palmer won an Award of Merit for Videography
  • Katarina Borrias-Spitzig won an Award of Merit for Stage Management
  • Abegail Spittal won an Award of Merit for Performance
  • The cast and crew won the “Outstanding Production” Award

“Sometimes I Look Up to the Sky” will represent our school at the NTS Regional Showcase in Barrie on April 8-13th. The performance will be in the evening and will be open to the public. Our performance date has not been set.

NTS Festival

If you would like to learn more about the NTS Festival, please check out their website.

Helping the Southwood Drama Club

If you would like to help support the Southwood Drama Club, please consider donating to our WEFI. Donations are run through a registered charity (Waterloo Education Foundation Inc.) and you will receive a tax receipt.

Thank You

Thank you to Saint Benedict Catholic Secondary School for graciously hosting this year’s District Festival. Thank you for the enduring support of the staff and volunteers.

  • Mr. Gary Kirkham
  • Monica & Graham Braun from Monigram Coffee Roasters
  • Mr. Troy Dettwiler
  • Ms. Emily Ernst
  • Ms. Jennifer Sceviour
  • Tatyana Palmer
  • Ms. Katie Grant
  • Ms. Megan Drummond
  • Mr. Trevor Sinke
  • Ms. Autumn Russell
  • Ms. Molly Muck
  • Mr. Jake Kroeker
  • Mr. Jason Blair
  • Mr. Andrew Renner
  • Mr. Garret Titus
  • Mrs. Anne Hastings
  • Ms. Vida Collis (our ever-supportive principal)