The final curtain has closed on the 37th Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival (GCSSDF), a year that was perhaps the most diverse in the festival’s long and proud history, celebrating all genres from farce to Australian gothic, physical theatre to absurdism, clowning to realism. Over nine theatrical and inspiring evenings 20 Gold Coast schools performed 43 dramatic works, with more than 750 students treading the boards — what an amazing season!

This year’s professional industry adjudicators including Sean Box from the Queensland College of Teachers, Lynne Bradley from Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre and Andrew Cory from Backbone Youth Arts were thoroughly impressed with the talents of the Gold Coast youth.

Senior winner of the coveted Gold Coast Little Theatre Best Play was Palm Beach Currumbin SHS for their hilariously clever production of Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy, for which they also received four Best Actor Awards. All Saints Anglican School, Helensvale SHS and Hillcrest Christian College received Runner-Up Awards in the senior section.

Intermediate winner of the Javeenbah Theatre Company Best Play was Somerset College for their student directed piece Mirrors by John O’Brien, which incorporated strong acting by the principal roles and harrowing ensemble work. The Runner-Up Awards in the intermediate section went to Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Robina SHS and Southport SHS.

Junior winner of the Spotlight Theatrical Company Best Play was Somerset College for their student devised and directed ensemble The Night Marchers based on Hawaiian folk law. This is the third year in a row that Somerset College has taken out this major award. Marymount College, Rivermount College and Southport SHS received Runners-Up Awards in the Junior Section.

Every year original devised work is developed and has become a highlight of the festival, challenging audiences with thought provoking concepts whilst embracing contemporary genres and theatrical techniques. Sponsored by Currency Press, this year’s Devised Play Awards went to Pacific Pine SHS for Swine W.H.O., Southport SHS for Silently Screaming and Helensvale SHS for My Space is Your Space.

If you have missed this year’s GCSSDF, there is good news for you. Helensvale SHS will be performing My Space is Your Space at the 2009 2High Festival, which will be staged at the Brisbane Powerhouse from November 13 and 14. For more information, visit www.2highfestival.com.

The Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival will return in August 2010. It is the largest and longest running festival of its kind in Australia dedicated to fostering and acknowledging excellence in dramatic performance by secondary school students throughout the Gold Coast region in an atmosphere of friendly competition.