The curtains have closed and the spotlight now turns to the talents recognized at the One Act Play Festival, hosted at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach.
The festival is a celebration of storytelling through acting and dance with performances by theatre groups from Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Quadra Island, Gabriola and Qualicum Beach, according to a news release by ECHO Players.
For the second consecutive year, the prestigious Best Play Award found its home with the Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS) Dance Company for their enthralling dance production, Ninety Seconds.
Directed by Kelly Barnum and choreographed by Sarah Kielly, this powerful and emotionally charged piece unfolded with 17 young dancers, skillfully bringing to life the tragic narrative inspired by the worst industrial accident in history, where one thousand factory workers in Dhaja, Bangladesh lost their lives.
Adjudicator Michael Armstrong, commended the performers, writers and directors for their exceptional contributions.
“The level of talent showcased in this year’s One Act Play Festival was exceptional. Each performance brought a unique and compelling aspect to the stage, making the judging process an exhilarating experience,” Armstrong remarked.
Festival chair Kathy Harper expressed her appreciation for the success of the festival.
“The diversity and calibre of performances were outstanding and we are grateful for the support from our volunteers, the community, and the remarkable talent that graced our stage,” Harper said.
READ MORE: David Francey performing at Knox United Church Jan. 28
Awards were presented after the final performance, recognizing excellence in various categories.
Best Ensemble:
● Ninety Seconds, NDSS Dance Company
Honourable Mention for Best Ensemble:
● The Losers’ Club, Kwalikum Secondry School
● The Hallmarks of Horror, ECHO Youth Group
Best Youth Performance:
● Jack Leblanc in The Hallmarks of Horror, ECHO Youth Group
Honourable Mention for Best Youth Performance:
● Sina Schaudig in The Losers’ Club, KSS
Best Actor in a Male Supporting Role:
● Cliff Mooney in Asylum, Theatre Quadra
Best Actor in a Female Supporting Role:
● Nancy Essig in Celsius 233, The Collective
Best Actor in a Male Lead Role:
● Darien Edgeler in The Exquisite Hour, Portal Players
Best Actor in a Female Lead Role:
● Wendy Phillips in Honour Among Thieves, Gabriola Players
Best Original Script:
● Chris Thompson for Asylum, Theatre Quadra
Best Director:
● Kelly Barnum, Director of Ninety Seconds, NDSS Dance Company
● Sarah Kielly, Choreographer of Ninety Seconds, NDSS Dance Company
Honourable Mention for Best Director:
Thistle Williams-Carswell, The Hallmarks of Horror, ECHO Youth Group
Best Play:
● Ninety Seconds, NDSS Dance Company
Honourable Mentions for Best Play:
● Asylum, Theatre Quadra
● Honour Among Thieves, Gabriola Players
Certificate for Special Achievement in Set Design:
● Portal Players for The Narrator and The Exquisite Hour
Next up at the Village Theatre is ECHO Players production of Queen Milli of Galt, a romantic comedy with a handy supply of humour with performances Feb. 22 to March 10. Tickets and more information are available at echoplayers.ca.
— NEWS Staff, submitted