Drama Events
The drama department has many events throughout the year of which many students at Northern participate in. Events are from both Curricular and Extra-Curricular activities.
Curricular Activities
The following activities are part of the requirements for the drama courses offered at Northern.
Grade 11 Shakespeare Day
In groups of 5-6, grade 11 students select a Shakespearean play. They then select excerpts from the play and adding their own transitions must create a 25 minute performance in which they tell the whole story. Students are encouraged to change the setting of the play such as the time period or locale. All of the plays are performed during Shakespeare Day for all of the grade 11 Drama students.
Grade 12 Docudrama
In groups of 5-6, students in grade 12 research a topic from various points of view. Then using different dramatic techniques—humour, dance, movement, etc.—students write, direct and perform a docudrama that portrays their topic from a variety of perspectives. The docudramas are performed during a ticketed event open to the public just before the Christmas holidays.
Grade 12 One-Act Plays
For the grade 12 One-Act plays, students can choose a professionally written play or write one of their one. They then direct, produce and perform the plays during 3-4 days in May. These ticketed performances are open to the public.
Extracurricular Activities
Northern offers many opportunities for students to find their inner dramatist. There is the Improvisation Club, the Mainstage Production and the One Act Dramas for the Sears Festival.
The Improvisation Club
The improvisation club provides students the opportunity to hone their improvisation skills. The club is open to all students and no auditions are required. In April students put their skills to the test by performing at lunch and competing at the Bad Dog Theatre’s Teen Improv Tournament. In 2009 students took home 1st place.
One Act Drama’s for the Sears Festival
The One Act dramas provide an excellent opportunity for students to share their work with other students and professionals in order to learn, develop and improve. Students propose to the drama department an original One Act play, which if chosen, is developed and performed the following year. Throughout the year the plays are shown to both the drama department and members of the professional establishment. The plays are critiqued by a Dramaturgist which assesses and provides insight as to how to improve the production. The play is then presented at the Sears Festival, which Northern Secondary hosts in February.
The past year was a truly dramatic year for extra-curricular One Acts. The students benefited greatly form partnerships that were formed with the Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Direct, ACTRA, Equity and the Lorraine Kisma Theatre for Young People. These partnerships were highly effective throughout the scriptwriting process for our support crew.
The Mainstage Production
Students audition in the fall and after thanksgiving full rehearsals begin. Students build sets, paint flats, practice magic tricks, design period costumes, practice lines and transform into their characters. Their hard work culminates to three fabulous performances in April. Shows are presented in the schools’ 850 capacity auditorium which is usually filled to capacity each night. The performances are open to the public.
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