CISDF: Drama Festival
The CIS Ontario Drama Festival (CISDF) is a one-of-a-kind theatre field trip experience for students passionate about drama and theatre.
Hosted by none other than the world-renowned Stratford Festival each spring, this one-of-a-kind inter-school theatrical experience makes a lasting impact on aspiring actors, producers and technicians. As North America's largest classical repertory theatre company, the Stratford Festival offers a unique opportunity for our students to engage with professional actors and technicians and to see high-quality productions.
The offerings include seats for a current theatrical production, workshops by Stratford Festival teaching artists and students' participation in performances. Working with Stratford's performing artists sets a high bar and raises the calibre of conversation about theatre, whether offering supportive feedback or educating students about how to adjudicate a show. It's also an exciting way to expose young artists to social opportunities with passionate and dedicated peers from member CIS Ontario schools.
CISDF 2024–2025
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM for students in grades 6-8
Friday, October 25, 2024
Avon Theatre, Stratford Festival, Ontario
During this one-day program, middle school students will participate in Stratford artist-led workshops and experience Wendy and Peter Pan. After the show they will have a Q & A with cast members.
Program Highlights and Registration Fees include:
- Lunch and snacks
- 2 student workshops and large group sessions with Stratford professionals
- Stage Combat – Swordplay
In this hands-on workshop, students will learn safe techniques for swordplay and gain a practical understanding of how stage combat supports storytelling. After learning the foundation of safety and communication, students will learn a series of moves and put together a short battle sequence in line with the combat in Wendy and Peter Pan. -
Exploring Wendy and Peter Pan
In this active workshop, students will explore key themes, plot points, characters and questions in Wendy and Peter Pan. Themes include mental health and wellness, grief, family, Indigenous representation and gender equity.
- Stage Combat – Swordplay
- One matinee performance and Q & A session with Stratford professionals
- Inter-school programming and opportunities to connect and collaborate with other CIS Ontario drama students
SENIOR SCHOOL PROGRAM for students in grades 9-12
Wednesday, April 23 – Friday, April 25, 2025
Over three days, senior school students will engage in a variety of interactive, educational and fun workshop sessions delivered by Stratford Festival professionals. Workshops will be scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday, and may include explorations of Stage Combat, Musical Theatre, Wigs & Make-Up, Improv, and Accents for the Stage.
Students will also have the opportunity to perform a 20-minute piece for their peers at the Studio Theatre, a professional venue and one of the main stages of the Stratford Festival. To perform on a Stratford stage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for senior school dramatists, be they actors or technicians. There is also an adjudication element built in to allow students to explore and discuss their creative projects with professionals from the industry. With an audience of festival participants, the performance atmosphere is wonderfully celebratory and fosters an empowering environment where students are encouraged to explore and challenge their dramatic range. Senior School students who do not wish to perform are welcome to participate without sharing a production.
In addition, Senior School students and their supervisors will see two main stage Stratford shows as a part of their CISDF experience.