Queen Margaret’s School students are taking on the fraught subject of relationships in subText: a series of vignettes, and Bees, an original short play at their fine arts hall from Nov. 27-29.
These days are hard, and for teenagers, technology has created a whole new world of challenges and potentially funny pitfalls.
Written by Tyler Dwiggins, subText is a humorous series of vignettes that explores the awkwardness of dating today. From breaking up over misspelled texts and the importance of capturing the perfect selfie, to taking relationships to the next level by updating your Facebook status, finding (and keeping) love has become very complicated.
Susanna Cai (Amelia, Grade 12), explains that subText is a modern reflection of dating.
“In our part of the play, we explore how two completely different people can remain together.”
Yet, for this spelling-bee queen, dating Ed (Olivia Kelly, Grade 12) who struggles to write perfect texts, can be challenging.
“The play highlights how we can be ourselves with each other and that we don’t have to change,” says Olivia. “It’s funny how texts can create such a struggle in a relationship.”
Veteran actors Noah Bird (Cameron, Grade 9) and Sierra Compton (Dani, Grade 12), who have performed together in two other local drama productions, bring a stage rapport that lends authenticity to their struggle for Instagram supremacy.
“SubText is an exaggeration of life as a teenager,” explains Noah.
“It’s overly dramatic,” adds Sierra. “But it’s pretty correct on how we can get caught up in the moment and the results get captured online.”
Following a short intermission, the scene will shift to Bees, an original short play written by QMS Alumni Winter Koyote (’19). Bees is a complex exploration of team dynamics, leadership, the power of collaboration, and surviving the throes of teenage life. Through struggle, trust (and the lack thereof), Ace, Kid, Champ, Lulu, Bug, Chica, and Shrimp must learn to work together or risk spending a very cold night stuck in an escape room.
The curtain rises on the double feature of subText and Bees Nov. 27-29, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Queen Margaret’s School Fine Arts Hall. Tickets are $10 in advance, or at the door (if available). Contact 250-746-4185 or email reception@qms.bc.ca.
