Ontario’s landmark festival stopped in Kingston this week as part of its 80th anniversary celebrations.
A major milestone in Ontario’s arts community was celebrated in Kingston as NTS DramaFest marks 80 years of inspiring young performers across the province.
The National Theatre School of Canada’s youth theatre festival, the largest of its kind in Ontario, made a stop in Kingston last week as part of its province-wide 80th anniversary celebrations.
NTS DramaFest co-director Erika Kierulf says the festival has continued to grow and evolve over the decades.
Kierulf also highlights partnerships with provinces including Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Founded in 1946, NTS DramaFest has spent eight decades giving secondary school students a platform to create, perform and share original theatre productions. Each year, the festival connects more than 12,000 students and educators with professional adjudicators from stage and screen. Kierulf
Kierulf says the long-running festival continues to stand out across the country.
The Kingston regional festival is one of several celebrations taking place across Ontario in this milestone year, highlighting the creativity and voices of the next generation of Canadian theatre artists.
Kierulf also praises students for their creativity and storytelling.
Organizers say the 80th anniversary is not only a celebration of the festival’s history, but also of the young people who continue to shape its future through storytelling, collaboration and community.
Story by Alyssa Brush
