Senior School Play Spotlight: Nicole Onyeka '26 and Tracy Dong '28 — Issue 21

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play about magical mischief and chaotic courtship. Through Shakespeare’s masterful storytelling, hilarity ensues from intertwining romances and a confounding plot. Our cast’s careful delivery and attention to detail will bring clarity to this classic comedy. As you may have noticed from previous spotlights, many members of our cast have a keen interest in learning about the behaviours and motives of their characters. This focus has been increasingly evident in rehearsals and has helped showcase the confusion in a clear and engaging way.

Due to the recent break and distance learning caused by snowfall over the past few weeks, our cast has not been able to meet as often as usual. Despite reduced rehearsal opportunities, students have taken the time to review, study, and analyze their lines independently. They have made a concerted effort to memorize both dialogue and delivery, leading to visible improvement during the practice sessions we do have. These interruptions have, in many ways, brought the cast closer together, as reflected in their steadily improving camaraderie and coordination.

Say hello to Nicole Onyeka ’26, a Grade 12 boarding student from Nigeria who has been part of the King’s-Edgehill School community since the beginning of her Grade 11 year. Last year, Nicole was a member of the stage crew, but she decided to try something new for her final year at KES and step on stage as an actor. She values the ability of the arts to share creative ideas about the world and enjoys the camaraderie that comes from working alongside friends in a production. Nicole finds joy in all aspects of theatre, from team-building exercises to scene work and character development. When asked if she would recommend the arts to others, she shared, “I would 100% recommend people join the play because it’s fun doing all the rehearsals and also getting to try something new.” Theatre has allowed Nicole to meet new people, form meaningful friendships, and grow creatively during her final year.

Give a round of applause to Tracy Dong ’28, a Grade 10 day student originally from China who is currently in her fourth year at King’s-Edgehill School. Tracy has loved acting since childhood, with the performing arts playing a constant role in her life. She is inspired by the many ways the arts communicate messages and lessons, and credits her friends for encouraging her to explore this medium. Tracy encourages others to try the arts, whether visual, musical, or theatrical, noting that she discovered her love for painting as a freeing, non-verbal form of expression, her passion for music through piano, and her enjoyment of theatre as a way to become someone new on stage and meet new people. Tracy’s favourite part of rehearsal is working through scenes and understanding her character’s perspective. She also plans to contribute to set design, combining her love of painting with her work as an actor. When asked for final thoughts, Tracy shared, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a supreme comedy. Please stop by in April for our performance. You won’t regret it! Thank you!”

A month has passed since rehearsals first began, and the cast’s effort, dedication, and growth are clearly evident. The results of their hard work will be on display in this hilarious production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, running April 9–11.