The Lambton Kent District School Board is proud to celebrate a remarkable achievement by the Wallaceburg District Secondary School Drama Club, who have made history at the National Theatre School (NTS) Drama Festival.
After earning Outstanding Production at both the LKDSB District Festival and the South Regional Festival, the cast and crew of The Way Home have become the first group in the 80-year history of the NTS Drama Festival to represent WDSS at the Provincial showcase.
Their production will open the festival on May 20 at York University in Toronto, running May 20–23.
The featured play, The Way Home, was written by WDSS Indigenous Graduation Coach Tyler White in collaboration with the student ensemble. The story honours Tyler’s grandfather, an Ojibwe man from Bkejwanong Territory, who escaped the Mohawk Institute Residential School at age 13. His resilience, humour, and generosity inspired the heart of the play.
Students worked closely with Tyler throughout the writing and workshop process, shaping characters, themes, and scenes. Their collaboration created a powerful narrative following Newt, a young girl escaping the Mohawk Institute. Along her journey, she is guided by animals representing Anishinaabe teachings, with traditional stories woven throughout. The play concludes with Newt returning home to her father, also a Residential School survivor.
WDSS students were recognized for their exceptional performances at both the district and regional levels:
District Awards
Sunny Gamble, Abby Douglas-Blair, and Ely Hazen – Award for their comedic “duck trio”
Angel Williams – Acting Award
Regional Awards
Oliver Gray – Award of Excellence for Comedic Performance
WDSS Ensemble – Award for Comedic Performance
These honours reflect the talent, dedication, and creativity of the entire Drama Club.
The WDSS Drama Club is actively fundraising to support their trip to the Provincial Showcase. Community members can contribute through School Cash Online: https://lkdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/67281/197/False/True
They will also host a fundraiser performance of The Way Home:
đź“… May 14, 2026
đź“Ť Wallceburg District Secondary School
đź•• Doors open at 6:00 PM
đź•– Show begins at 7:00 PM Admission is by donation (suggested $5).
The evening will include an art gallery, concessions, t‑shirt sales, and a photo booth.