This year, General Amherst is performing the show ‘Before We Go’, by Dennis Bush.

It focuses on many characters, and the afflictions of their lives. Most of our cast in is
either grade nine or ten, which means that none of us have participated in the
Festival before now. In fact, we all come from a musical theatre background and
have never acted in a straight play. This show has shown to us not only one of the
many different forms of theatre, but it has also taught us how to relate to many
different characters, especially those that differ drastically from ourselves.
As a group, we have all had difficulty at times identifying with our characters and in
finding ways into them to get their emotions across. After all, we aren’t like these
characters; we are a group of students working with our director to tell the stories of
many individuals and making them our own. However, the difficulty we had with this
aspect of the show makes us excited for the outcome of all our hard work.
We are honoured to be telling the stories of our characters and real people who go
through these experiences. Helping them to have their voices heard makes this show
very important for us to share, as we now understand the hardships these people
must face. ‘Before We Go’ has helped us all to grow as actors and to recognize the
many different lives people lead, and we are proud to be able to display this as a
group.

Emily Richard, Grade 10