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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - The creativity and talent of the learners who participated in the "World of Tomorrow" drama festival astounded guests at the gala evening where the best productions for this competition were showcased.
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The event was hosted at the Oakhurst Insurance George Arts Theatre on Friday 2 August.
Blanco Primary School, with their rendition of 'Aladdin and the Lights of Arabia' and McKinlay Reid International School with their production 'World Leader Summit' were the overall best production winners.
Nine schools in the George are participated in the festival last week.
This is the first time that theatre productions by learners for learners were used to create awareness around energy efficiency in South Africa. It forms part of the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency Awareness Campaign.
Guests at the gala event included school principals, sponsors and special guests from King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, who were here on a learning exchange with George Municipality.
According to municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose, both evenings proved to be a huge amount of fun for the learners and audience.
"The judging panel, made up of independent volunteers, were challenged with their adjudication on both evenings, being totally blown away by the level of energy, commitment and fun on display," she said.
"The judging criteria were set up independently and drama assistance was offered to all schools participating.
"The basic premise of the competition was that the learners themselves workshopped the play with input from their teachers and Heather Stead, the appointed drama facilitator".
Watch a video below.
More about the judges
Marie Davison, a retired professional engineer and member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), and Passmore Dongi, a registered certified natural scientist and project manager for Garden Route District Municipality, focused on the central message of energy efficiency portrayed by the dramas.
Penny de Villiers, speech and drama teacher at the Helen O'Grady Drama School, and Chantal Witthuhn, fashion and image stylist and current wardrobe manager at the theatre, focused on the use of dramatic arts and the presentation of costumes and props.
The Master of Ceremonies for all three evenings was Jeffrey van Niekerk, previously an EPWP intern at the arts theatre, who kept the audience and learners fully entertained.
Primary dchool winners
- Blanco Primary won for the categories Best Script, Best Drama, Best Overall Production and Best Message.
- Heidedal Primary won for Best Presentation of Creative Use of Recycled Materials and Most Creative Workable Solution to Energy Efficiency.
- Kretzenhoop Primary's Dwayne Geldenblom won Best Actor and St Mary's Primary's Ashlynne Manewil won Best Actress.
High dchool winners:
- McKinlay Reid International High School won the categories Best Script, Best Drama, Best Overall Production, Best Message and Most Creative Workable Solution to Energy Efficiency.
- Rundle College won Best Presentation of Creative Use of Recycled Materials.
- Lingo Greyling of Rundle College won Best Actor.
- Gadija Adams of Thembalethu High School won Best Actress.
McKinlay Reid International High School won the categories Best Script, Best Drama, Best Overall Production, Best Message and Most Creative Workable Solution to Energy Efficiency. Photo: Chantel Edwards-Klose
George Municipality thanks the Department of Energy and Minerals, media sponsors George Herald and EDENfm, Beka-Schreder, MDL Electrical, SAIEE, Clinkscales Maughan Brown, VE Reticulation, Khubeka Construction, Oakhurst Insurance, Nelson Mandela University, Algoa FM, iWeathar, Panarottis, Diskonto Stationery and Spar for their generous assistance in making the festival possible.
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