Teens at Oilfields High School are battling it out, with swords drawn, in this spring’s drama production.
The Black Diamond school’s drama students spent the past several weeks wielding swords in preparation for their production of Robin Hood, which takes place in the school drama room May 23-25 at 7 p.m.
“The students really wanted to learn about choreography and sword fighting,” said Pam Pracic, drama teacher. “Robin Hood has been one of my favourite fairy tales ever since I saw the first cartoon. I love the underdog perspective.”
Pracic said she also selected the play to change things up from last year’s murder mystery and to appeal to audiences of all ages.
“I really like to do plays that younger and older audiences have a connection to,” she said. “It’s timeless. I wanted to be able to have a show that a whole family can come and enjoy.”
Robin Hood was no easy feat for Pracic’s students as they learned the art of sword fighting from Zakk MacDonald, an apprentice stage combat choreographer from Calgary.
“Remembering choreography is more than just moving on stage,” she said. “You have to make sure you don’t hit the person with the sword.”
A key component of learning the art is safety.
“Safety is very important on stage, which is why we trained with plastic training swords first and didn’t bring in the metal ones until much later,” she said. “With all the challenges that go along with sword choreography is the excitement and the energy of being able to do it with real swords.
It really helped them buy into this whole story and world.”
Grade 12 student Leiam Carter, who plays King Richard, said his favourite scene to perform in is his secondary role as a soldier who engages in a brief sword fight.
“We had to learn basic broadsword practice – how to swing and hold it and what to do if someone hits your sword,” he said. “You have to learn how to put your body weight into holding back but going forward at the same time.”
Carter has been involved with school dramas since Grade 7, and was hopeful for the role of King Richard for his final high school play.
“He doesn’t really appear much in the play but he’s always talked about that he’s strong and bold and courageous and that he’s out in the crusades,” he said. “He shows up in the end scene and saves the day.”
Playing the king meant changing his body language to portray a powerful figure.
“My body language, since I’m supposed to be a king, I’m supposed to be a lot more stoic,” he said. “It’s about keeping it less in the face and more in the shoulders.”
Carter said he’s also altered his voice to be more commanding, a change from his own reserve and quiet demeanor.
Grade 9 student Bailey-Jay Lefebvre also altered her personality for her role as an old widow.
“She’s dramatic and always looks on the dark side of everything,” she said. “I like characters that have opposite personalities from me. I like being someone else sometimes.”
While Lefebvre doesn’t wield a sword, she faced a monumental challenge of her own when signing up for Robin Hood.
With a reading disability, Lefebvre had to take extra time to memorize the play before her cast mates due to the challenge of reading from the script in the first few weeks of rehearsals.
In fact, being in drama wasn’t something Lefebvre ever envisioned.
“Acting was something I wasn’t interested in but I chose it because I didn’t want to do anything else,” she said. “It was really fun. I enjoy the small group of people.”
Lefebvre said she’s progressing well, putting a lot of energy into her role while fun with it.
The quiet teen is also working hard on getting her reactions nailed down.
“I’m usually not someone to react to a lot of things so I have troubles with that,” she said. “I feel like I’m doing really well at that. The teacher always gives us feedback at rehearsals on what we might need to work on more.”
Pracic is eager to showcase the talent of her 20 plus cast and crew.
“They’ve really demonstrated their willingness to commit to afterschool time, lunch, flex time to practice their choreography and run through rehearsals,” she said. “It’s that commitment that really showcases why theatre is such an important aspect of the high school experience.”
Tickets to see Robin Hood cost $8 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the school office or at the door.
A matinee for elementary school students from surrounding schools will take place May 24.
