Theatre kids from all over the North Island came to Campbell River recently to attend the North Island Regional Drama Festival – affectionately known as NIRDfest – at Carihi and Timberline.
Carihi’s play, Aunt Leaf, was selected as top play during the festival, and to celebrate, they will be putting on an encore performance for the public next Monday (Dec. 12).
Aunt Leaf tells the story of a girl named Annabelle and her old aunt who believes she sees the ghost of her husband and sends Annabelle out to look for him. Set in 1910 on the banks of the Hudson River, Aunt Leaf is a mysterious, beautiful play about the power of stories.
“The cast was amazing,” said Christine Knight, director of Aunt Leaf and one of many festival organizers, after the event.
“They have worked so hard, and they should be proud,” she continued, adding that she is looking forward to continuing the performances.
”I am excited that we get to keep sharing this play. It really is something special.”
The three days of NIRDfest were filled with theatre and learning, Knight says.
Students attended workshops during the day – which were held at Carihi and run by skilled theatre professionals from the Island – and in the evenings headed over to Timberline, where they either performed in their one act play entry or watched the performances.
“Over 200 delegates from 10 different North Island schools took part in the event,” Knight says, “which is a highlight for many theatre students in our Zone.”
The encore performance of Aunt Leaf takes place at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 in the Carihi Drama Room.
“It will be crowded,” Knight says, “but we will squeeze people in.”
Tickets will be sold at the door for a suggested $5 donation to the drama program.
Contact Knight at christine.knight@sd72.bc.ca for more information on the program, performance, or NIRDfest.
