Sword Fights and Storytelling: Middle Schoolers Experience Theatrical Adventure at the CIS Ontario Drama Festival

On Friday, October 25, 2024, 57 middle school students from CIS Ontario member schools converged in Stratford, Ontario, to attend the middle school day of CISDF – CIS Ontario Drama Festival, hosted by Stratford Festival.

Upon arrival, two groups of students and their chaperones each made their way to a rehearsal hall in the Stratford Festival Studio Theatre.  Workshop #1 was "Sword Fighting," and "Workshop #2" was "Exploring Themes from "Wendy and Peter Pan" - the matinee we would be attending after lunch.

To our amazement, the workshops were facilitated not only by Stratford Festival actors but also by the actors we would soon be seeing on stage!

After learning to parry, cast and block, students were slowly coached through a choreographed duel, which - once up to speed - they executed with great gusto! They learned that adding boisterous "Ahhhhsss!" and "Ohhhhs" to the fight created a very believable scene.

Seeing students mix and mingle with kids from other schools was an added bonus to our day. In any other context, perhaps a sword fight would not lead to friendship. In this case, however, it may very well have.

Lunch was delicious, and we had time to walk about the town to get some fresh air before heading back to the Avon Theatre for a whimsical and lively production of  "Wendy and Peter Pan." The day wrapped up with a talkback hosted by the two actors who played Tinkerbell and The Crocodile. The students asked insightful questions about the production, their roles in particular, and their careers in the performing arts.

One student from The Bishop Strachan School was heard saying, "I wish we could stay for three days!!!" No doubt, we will have many students attending the CISDF senior program as they move into Senior School!

Sherri McFarlane 
Middle Years Counsellor
The Bishop Strachan School