News
Arts Roundup
The arts have taken centre stage in the final weeks of the school year at Shawnigan.
From theatre performances to the annual 360 fair, students in various arts and activities – both curricular and co-curricular – have had several opportunities recently to share their work with their peers.
Last Wednesday, the 360 Fair took place in front of the Bruce-Lockhart Centre for Creativity, the same day that 360 awards and colours were handed out. Organized by the 360 instructors, 360 Prefect Daniel S. and the 360 Council, the event featured displays of visual art and other things the 360 programs have been working on.
“Our focus this year was to make it interactive,” Daniel explained. “The Council and I went to all of the 360 instructors and asked them to come up with one interactive activity that students could participate in.”
All the 360 programs took part. Among the most popular presenters at the fair were robotics – who gave students a chance to try the equipment and the games that were included in this year’s world championships, film production – which conducted live interviews with students throughout the event, and rock band – which performed throughout the fair. Daniel’s own 360, astronomy, set up a solar telescope for students to look through, as well as a display of astronomic photos from the year.
There was a lot of positive feedback for the interactive fair, which was followed by a barbecue in the Quad.
Also last Wednesday, Film & Media 10 teamed up with Drama 10 for a cross-curricular deep dive into acting for the screen. The classes transformed the theatre into a working film set –complete with props, a director’s monitor, focus pulling, and boom mics. Students explored the differences between stage and screen acting while learning about framing, composition, and how to shape a scene behind the camera. It was a hands-on intro to life on set and a fantastic reminder of how powerful collaboration between disciplines can be. On the previous Saturday, film students screened their productions for their peers.
After dinner last Wednesday, the Broadway Choir presented a Cabaret in the Theatre, with breakthrough solos from junior students Maddex K. and Thomas Y., and strong performances from seniors such as Leo S. and Yoon O. There was also an ensemble number, “She’s in Love,” from next year’s school musical, The Little Mermaid, which stirred excitement for next year’s Theatre Company 360. Leo, Ivana W. and Imogen N. performed the pieces they took to STAR Fest, including Ivana’s “Screw Loose” from Cry Baby, which received a perfect score at the festival. Additionally, Alex F. performed a wonderful solo from Cabaret. And the ensemble came together for “Gee, Office Krupke” from West Side Story.
The drama 360 performance on Wednesday featured scenes from the one-act play The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis. The piece included standout senior performances from Sorath R. and Kate I. We were also introduced to some new acting talent, including two wonderful Grade 8 performers, Camila V. and Angelina Z., as well as stellar turns from Sloane W. and Maya B. Alaia R., Amelia H., and Brody B. rounded out the cast.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
