By Sarah MacMillan
Kamloops This Week
Lights! Camera! Action! Well it’s everything except for the camera in the performance of the one act plays.
One act plays are one of the twenty six events that are available to participate in at the B.C. Seniors Games.
“It’s more cerebral, artsy,” said Bob Reid, chair for zone eight of the B.C. Seniors Games.
One act plays are plays that have only one act; however they may have one or more scenes.
Within the setting of the senior games, the plays may also be entered as reader’s theatre. Reader’s theatre is a style of theatre in which actors don’t have to memorize their lines. However, reader’s theatre pieces, and regular theatre pieces compete against one another for medals.
The plays that are used in the B.C. Seniors games are ones that take 20 to 45 minutes in length and are performed by a minimum of two, and a maximum of 10 actors age 55 and over.
However, within the one act plays, the director does not have to meet the age requirement, though they aren’t eligible for a medal.
Other regulations include that the plays cannot be musicals, though they can contain music, and they can only have a minimal number of props.
During the one act play performances the plays are judged by adjudicators.
Medals are then awarded in a number of areas. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the actors and directors of the top three plays.
Medals are also awarded to the best actors, actresses and directors. The adjudicators can also award medals for original plays.
To participate in the B.C. Senior Games, or to just learn more about one act plays, please contact Barry McLean at 250-672-9563, by email at intheheartland@hotmail.com or visit the B.C. Seniors games website at www.bcseniorsgames.org.
Barry McLean is a member of the Thompson Valley Players and resides in Barriere.