Last year’s NCI drama, “The Beverly Hillbillies,” was a huge success, drawing crowds and generating big laughs. But that doesn’t happen overnight. It takes an entire school year to produce one weekend’s worth of shows.
The performance is in May, rehearsals start in January, and auditions happen right before Christmas break. Even now, as the school year has barely begun, there’s work being done to ensure that the NCI drama is building momentum.
Director Deanna Wiebe calls a meeting of all interested Grade 9–12 students in late September. It’s at this meeting that she gets an idea of who she will be working with. “This helps me to choose the script,” says Deanna.
Choosing which play to perform is one of the most critical decisions. Wiebe consistently tries to find a play that will showcase the students’ strengths. It’s always a collaboration. “And once I have some ideas, I get the input from my oldest actors.”
Sometimes Wiebe has an idea up to a year in advance for what show to put on. “And some years, like this year, I got nothing!”
It’s not as simple as just picking a play from a pile. Wiebe works tirelessly to make sure as many students as possible can benefit from the program. “I try to never cut kids. Which is why I do huge cast plays.”
There’s a lot of pressure on Wiebe to continue with a program that is heavily underfunded and yet so important to the students. “Drama is without a doubt a highlight of the year for me!” says Hana Stott, one of the stars of last year’s production. “It takes a lot of time to prepare a show, and despite all the obstacles that must be overcome throughout the process, it’s always worth it.”
One of the obstacles the cast and crew must overcome every year is doing without the proper stage, light, and sound. “We have done amazing things with our little stage thanks to some talented set builders,” says Wiebe, “but at the end of the day it’s still just a hole in the wall.”
There is no budget for drama at NCI. They are simply asked to function off the money they take in from ticket sales. “It’s never enough,” says Wiebe. “We are always in the hole.”
But making money is not what Wiebe is after. “The goal is to give as many kids a chance to participate as possible and to create a community of belonging where kids can feel a part of something special.”
The actors are always thinking ahead too. “Next year I hope we do a comedy,” says Stott. “There’s nothing like hearing the audience… laughing right out of their seats.”
“Kids always want to do the funny plays and get the laugh,” says Wiebe. “But when we’ve done a more serious play and made people cry, it’s been incredible.”
Ultimately, Wiebe says the piece they perform is less important than the experience the kids have in creating something that communicates and connects with their audience.
The ultimate goal of the NCI drama is not just putting on top-notch performances. “I want them to walk away feeling proud and successful. And I also want the drama rehearsals to be a place where kids can connect with each other and feel good about themselves.”
The students are learning a lot more than just theatrical talents. “I learned the importance of positivity, no matter what the circumstance,” says Stott, “and how crucial it is to get outside of your comfort zone! That really makes the play personal for the audience.”
Whatever the play Wiebe ends up choosing, we know it’ll be another success, both onstage and off. If you wish to support the NCI drama program financially or otherwise, you can contact Deanna Wiebe at Niverville Collegiate Institute at 388-4731.
