It isn't odd for Squamish's Between Shifts Theatre (BST) troupe to participate at Theatre B.C.'s annual provincial drama festival.
In fact, the popular and successful local theatre troupe has often had its performances earn top honours at the festival - a competition between North Shore Zone troupes - in past years.
"It was kind of unusual this year," said Kathy Daniels, artistic director and founder of BST.
Instead of the usual crew of thespians from BST, the May 2 to 7 festival at Presentation House Theatre in North Vancouver was treated to a fill-in group of actors from Howe Sound Secondary School.
"Between Shifts were going to take a break this year from the festival," said Daniels. "And Janice Carroll (HSS drama teacher) wanted students from her drama class to enter the festival. We agreed to let the students go under our name, as a number of the actors are also members of Between Shifts as well."
The actors, ranging in age from 15 to 17, shone at the festival with their performance of The Outsiders, and kept up the BST tradition of bringing home the awards and accolades.
"They won Best Achievement in Set Design, Best Achievement in Lighting, Best Achievement in Sound and a Special Adjudicator's Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Stage Management," said Daniels.
The festival was a bit odd for Daniels as well.
"With BST off for the festival, I went to the North Vancouver Community Players," she said. "So, because that group was competing with Between Shifts - I felt like I was competing with myself."
Either way, Daniels came out on top, earning Best Performance by an Actor - Female for her lead role in If We Are Women.
The all-volunteer BST players weren't off for long, though, and have been busy rehearsing for a whole new series of comedic one-act plays to be performed at the Brackendale Art Gallery June 9, 10, 11 and 16, 17 and 18.
"They're 'Copyright Approved'," joked Daniels in reference to BST's final three A Tribute to The Princess Bride performances that were cancelled in March because of a copyright issue.
In addition to the series of one-act plays next month at the Brackendale Art Gallery, BST is also playing performances of A Christmas Carol at the same venue this winter season.
"We love the atmosphere there," she said. "It's going to be perfect for A Christmas Carol."
The theatre group also just became a member of the Chamber of Commerce (sponsored by the Chamber itself).
"We're always busy," said Daniels.
Catch the BST's A Night of Comedy at the Brackendale Art Gallery June 9, 10, 11 and 16, 17 and 18.
Tickets are available for $15 at Billie's Bouquet, the Brackendale Art Gallery and the 麻豆社国产Adventure Centre.
For more information go to betweenshiftstheatre.com.
