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60 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 13, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER ON STAGE: Emma Young and Justin Martins give a performance in the student-directed play Heat Lightning during Abbey Park High School's recent Show of Hands Drama Festival. Abbey Park's the stage and students all the players Abbey Park High School recently hosted its in-house Show of Hands Drama Festival. About 20 students directed and 100 others performed in 13 plays that were staged -- several a night -- on three nights in May. On May 24, at a catered banquet, awards were presented. Some of the productions staged were published plays, but the majority were student written. Some students performed more than one duty for the festival. Every play had its own student stage manager, lighting and sound designer, props master, set designer and student director. Adjudicating the festival was Heather Wilson, a former student of Kelly Caldwell, Head of Arts at Abbey Park and producer of the festival. Wilson is a professional actress and has been performing in the Stratford Festival as a triple threat for four years, was dance captain for Disney's movie, Once Upon A Mattress with Carol Burnett and recently finished a show with the National Tap Company of Canada. Caldwell has organized the festival to foster the love and power of the arts in students for the last decade. "This was our biggest year yet as we had the highest number of plays in it ever. I think it also teaches students all the skills they need to be employable -- ability to manage time, get along with others, problem solve, creatively present ideas, confidently sell themselves, work with technology and on and on," said Caldwell. Students involved in the festival attend regular meetings throughout the spring learning how to direct, stage manage, run lights and more. About 20 senior students were approved to direct the plays this year. Auditions were held for anyone in the school, not just drama students. Applications were accepted for all the crew parts. Production teams rehearsed at least twice per week since February and since some of the plays were published, the directors had to learn how to apply for the royalties while other directors wrote their own plays. "I started this festival many years ago with the intention of giving as many students as possible a chance to experience the power of theatre and my main focus has always been on the learning opportunities it affords and that's why each year I bring in a professional adjudicator," said Caldwell. Wilsongave out more than 40 special awards of recognition to the 13 plays in the festival. Outstanding Production trophy went to the cast and crew of Loose Tea Leaves directed and written by Zach Currie and Molly Davis. Best Production team trophy went to the cast and crew of Brothers Grimm by Don Zoldis and directed by Victoria Racanelli. The Best Playwright award and Adjudicator Award went to Tom Craig. "I am so proud of all of the students. They also have learned that the arts are a powerful way of communicating and they can serve to shape and inspire society," said Caldwell. Among the plays staged were: Mandy Dear (directed by Melissa Petteau); It & Black and White (directed by Ashton Vetter); The Fanatic (directed by Kim McCarthy); Cinerobby (directed by Rebecca Ahliln and Amanda Padalino); Octet (directed by Meagan McKeen and Keegan McKitterick); Rivals and Wrongs (directed by James Beattie and Julianna Rock); Glascow Kiss (directed by Tom Craig and Steph Redchenko); Brothers Grimm (directed by Victoria Racconelli); Heat Lightning (directed by Sarah Mauracher and Justin Martins); Five Reasons to Go to Florida (directed by Kasandra Torrance); Sincerely Yours (directed and performed by Emily Aver); Locked (directed by Melissa Fox and Haya Waseem); and Loose Tea Leaves (directed by Molly Davis and Zach Currie). DON'T MISS OUT ON ALL THE SOCCER ACTION AT BMO FIELD IN THE MONTH OF JULY!! TUESDAY JULY 1st @ 3:00pm TORONTO FC vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS JULY 15th @ 7:30pm TORONTO FC vs. IMDEPENDIENTE ARGENTINA JULY 5th @ 7:30pm TORONTO FC vs. PACHUCA MEXICO JULY 19th @ 3:00pm OSC DAY AT BMO FIELD TORONTO FC vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKE JULY 10th @ 7:00pm CANADA vs. BRAZIL JULY 22nd @ TBD - TORONTO FC vs. MONTREAL IMPACT ORDER ONLINE www.oakvillesoccer.ca GROUP REQUESTS: CONTACT MATT mmaclaren@oakvillesoccer.ca 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit #11, Oakville, ON L6H 3K4 The Oakville Beaver Sponsor: Tel: 905-849-4436 Fax: 905-849-3677 A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club