COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake High School drama department is performing the play, Heist Quest: A ChooseTheir-Adventure in Two Acts, at the Cold Lake High School Theatre at 5:30 p.m. on April 27, 28, and 29. It is a two-hour medieval comedy that includes wizards, warriors, monsters, princesses, and several Monty Python references.
English Language Arts and Drama teacher, Dana Schwab, who wrote and directed the play, summarized the play. “When the kingdom’s second most notorious thief is hired to kidnap the princess, the job seems simple enough. But before Shade the Rogue can add this heist (or is it a quest?) to his perfect record, he’ll have to contend with a massive forest, magical creatures, and an expert team that may not be quite so… expert. And who is that hooded figure following them?”
This will be play number 10 for Schwab. Before Heist Quest, she directed students in a variety of shows.
She explains, “During my time as director, our students have presented everything from film noir in Kill Me, Deadly, to Disney princesses at war in Game of Tiaras. Last year was one of my favorite shows, Trap - it was a really clever show that began as an unsettling documentary and then slowly started to involve the audience. The final act was a real scream.”
Schwab wrote this year’s play specifically for the students in it. She states, “There is a group of Grade 12 students who have been with the drama club since they began at Cold Lake High School in 2020, and I really wanted to showcase what they can do, alongside some absolutely incredible Grade 10 and Grade 11 students. I am so proud of them and the work they have put in, and I think that this is really their show.”
Not everyone involved in the play has speaking roles. Other students involved play puppeteers, or are in charge lights, sound, curtains and actor traffic, set changes, set dressing, special effects and the catwalk. Practices have been taking place since January. The students meet twice a week for two hours each time.
Makeup is done by the students, and costumes have been purchased online.
Grade 12 student Meia O’Dell plays Shade in this year’s play. “Shade is a notorious thief, according to some,” she explains. Having been involved in many plays starting back in elementary school, she says she likes acting because she enjoys the community. She adds, “The experience is one you can’t find in almost any other club. It’s incredibly fun.”
This was echoed by Grade 11 student Corrie Hiebert who will be playing Riley, Medusa’s sister. She says, “The play is so unique, one-of-a-kind, with so many cool characters in it. I love it a lot.”
Lillian Ducharme, a Grade 12 student, plays Incendia, a mad alchemist. “I like drama club because it lets me be me,” Ducharme says.
Grade 10 student Yona Williams plays a bird monster in the play. Williams explains, “I really enjoy drama. I can be myself. It’s fun to hang out with a bunch of people and performing something together.”
Ticket prices are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Money from ticket sales go toward funding next year’s play. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the evenings of the show or in advance through School Cash Online. The show, which can seat just over 200 people, is recommended for everyone except very young children as Schwab says they may find the monsters a "bit creepy."
