The auditorium at École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge (ESSC) was brimming with excitement Wednesday evening for the school’s entry in the province-wide high school talent show, Secondaire en spectacle.
For the roughly 40 students waiting backstage to perform their talent in front of a packed auditorium and a panel of judges, the event was their chance to make an impression and be granted entry to the next round of competition.
Students spent months rehearsing their acts, which were showcased in 25 different acts ranging from dance, to music, to a girl doing dog tricks, and were vying for spots in seven different categories.
The event was organized by ESSC activities coordinator Jérémy Labine and teacher Natacha Corriveau. Labine said the school brought it back three years ago after a long period of inactivity.
“It’s a great opportunity for the students,” he said, explaining students were involved in putting together the entire production, choreographing dance numbers, writing skits for the hosts, photographing the event, and even producing the show’s lighting and sound. “They have worked hard putting it together.”
By the end of the evening, judges Marie Gionet, Danelle Bourque, Garrett Vekarysz and Mélanie Robillard chose 10 students to advance to the regional finals in Gatineau.
Secondaire 3 student Zoé Lafontaine, alongside classmates Marielou Rivet and Jeanne Durand, won the “audience’s choice” award for their dance to the song La bonne franquette. Lafontaine said it was a way for them to embrace their identity as Quebecers, dressing in the province’s familiar hue of blue and bringing Quebec and Canada flags on stage.
“We were nervous at first, but once we were on stage, we had fun,” she said, adding that they were surprised to win the award.
Secondaire 5 student Talira Savard finished the evening with three recognitions: one of the evening’s two artist awards for a dance number performed with her sister, Jade Proulx; the emcee award; and the co-host award, which she shared with co-host Xavier Lagarde.
Savard said it was special to win the award with her sister. “My sister and I dance a lot together, and once we have the choreography it’s pretty good,” she said, adding that the siblings only began practicing three weeks prior to the event.
She said now that they have one performance under their belt, they are slightly less nervous for the regional competition, which will take place in Gatineau on April 2.
Judges also awarded dancers Olivia Draper and Ève Lebeau with the second of two artist awards, Luca Beaudoin with the technician award, and Vidalie Drapeau with the journalist award.
Labine said two acts from last year’s talent show went on to perform particularly well. Payton Denault and Kayden Lévesque, who performed on voice and guitar respectively, advanced all the way to the provincial talent show, while singer and guitarist Raphael Fleury made it to regionals in Gatineau.
