Emily O’Regan and Isabelle D’Sousa on the set of their co‑written script of this year’s National Theatre School production
By Shelley Cooke
What began as a shared idea two years ago has grown into a full theatrical production! Isabelle D’Sousa and Emily O’Regan, Grade 12 students in the performing arts program at Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute, have been co-writing their original play Smile on Set since Grade 10. The production will be performed and adjudicated at the NTS (National Theatre School) Dramafest held at Mowat on March 3, marking the culmination of their creativity, collaboration, and dedication.
The play follows four characters striving for success while navigating intense social pressures from the public eye. When asked about their inspiration for the theme, the students explained that some of it draws from their own experiences and observations. O’Regan reflected on the personal nature of the work, noting that in the past she “felt a lot of pressure to change for others” before realizing she had lost sight of who she truly was.
One of the play’s key plot points centers on Jasmine, a main character who experiences isolation due to her cultural background. She also faces significant pressure from her parents to conform to their expectations, despite having her own aspirations and passions. This storyline was included to emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself and resisting external influences.
The students’ complementary theatrical skill sets have contributed to a strong creative partnership. While O’Regan’s background is in acting, D’Sousa brings experience in technical production. Their differing areas of expertise have allowed them to approach the directing process from multiple perspectives.
When asked about the moments of the process they are most proud of, the students highlighted the rehearsal of the play’s climactic scene, where all four characters come together to express their frustrations. D’Sousa noted that “you could feel the coldness in the room when certain words were said … you could feel the raw emotion.” It was at that moment that they knew they had assembled the right cast.
The girls also expressed pride in the contributions of their stage manager, Serephina Milley, whose dedication and work ethic have been a significant asset to the production. In addition, they credited their drama teacher, Ms. Morton, for her consistent support, particularly in the areas of props and costumes. Her expertise and guidance have played an invaluable role in the success of the production.
Those highlight moments, however, did not come without setbacks. One of the challenges the pair faced was a period of writer’s block that lasted nearly a month. Eventually, they returned to the script with fresh perspectives. “We helped each other through it,” O’Regan said. “We wanted to make every line meaningful and every line we chose sparked a conversation,” noted D’Sousa.
D’Sousa and O’Regan are thrilled that their student-written play was selected to compete in the NTS (National Theatre School) Dramafest! They hope that the adjudicator recognizes the effort and the care they invested in both the writing and staging. “Every element we included had a purpose,” they said. “We hope the adjudicator notices the creativity and unique touches that make our production stand out.”
When asked about their future plans in theatre, both students said they intend to remain involved in community theatre. O’Regan plans to continue acting in her free time, while D’Sousa hopes to focus on stage management and production roles.
We wish Isabelle D’Sousa and Emily O’Regan all the best with their performance on March 3. The production promises to be a compelling showcase of student talent and creativity for Mowat and the local community.