Competition? Oh we'd love some!

What a week it has been for La Troupe Royale! Sears Festival- Regionals and Théâtre Action have come and went and left behind huge success stories. 

Wednesday April 9th at 7pm, following a two hour tech run, La Troupe Royale took to the stage for their Sears Festival Regional competition performance at Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School in Hamilton.  It was an outstanding performance that left most of the actors, myself included, in tears.  We later received a wonderful and informative adjudication by the talented Terry Tweed. She loved our cast as a whole as well as the beautiful original piece written by Daniel Zeiter-Smith.

Sears Festival showcased many amazing plays that blew us all away, there is truly huge talent brought forward during these performances. My personal favourites from this years festival were, Phoenix by John McGregor Secondary School as well as Jane which was a huge movement and chorus piece.  La Troupe Royale sat through many plays and met many new people all while patiently waiting for the awards show. 

At last on Friday April 11th somewhere around midnight, the moment of truth arrived. Terry Tweed announced the awards of merit, of excellence and the two productions that were to move on. The first being 'A History of the World' a movement piece from Grimsby Secondary School and 'Albertine in five times' an all female piece from Westdale Secondary. I personally loved the girls who played in this productions both as actresses and as people as a I had the wonderful opportunity to befriend them. 

Lajeunesse itself came home with two very important and very honorable awards. First, an award for Amanda Drury for her musical Composition for 'Parés au décollage?' and we also took home the Adjudicators Award for Daniel's amazing writing and directing and for our outstanding cast ensemble. I could not be more proud of our achievements.  I would like to congratulate Daniel, his baby has become a raging success all over Ontario!

Now this Festival was tiring enough on its own but La Troupe Royale had another job to do. 

Friday April 11th at 10am, we took to the stage for our Théâtre Action performance. This was our first time presenting in front of an all French audience who would actually understand everything we said. It was a magical experience. Our show ended with a standing ovation and praise from all in attendance. The awards show was held on Saturday April 12th we all awaited anxiously for our award from the FTAMS. 

For the second year in a row Lajeunesse took home the award for Best Production. Every student from every school, even those that didn't see our show gave us a standing ovation. How amazing! 

I must say though that, all the late nights and sleep deprived trips aside, it makes me ridiculously sad to know that my Sears Festival and Théâtre Action career is over. Those are experiences I will always keep with me. 

Oh and by the way we're still not done yet! 3 more performances soon to come. A parents show, a school show and SOYTF still await us. 

Tata for now! 

Sources 
http://www.theatreaction.ca/fr/Festival_Th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre_Action_en_Milieu_Scolaire_23/items/FTAMS_-_17e_%C3%A9dition_du_10_au_12_avril_2014_-_Campus_de_l%E2%80%99Universit%C3%A9_dOttawa_et_de_lESP_De_La_Salle_dOttawa_4.html

http://schools.hwdsb.on.ca/westdale/

http://www.theatreontario.org/programs-and-services/talent-bank/bios-of-talent-bank-members/terry-tweed.aspx

http://grimsbyss.dsbn.org/

http://schools.hwdsb.on.ca/sjam/

http://www.searsdramafestival.com/awards_2012.html#regionalShowcases