UMEI performs and records old-time radio play

LEAMINGTON — There are many words that could describe the year 2020, but for UMEI students, a key one is “adaptability.” When the COVID-19 pandemic meant their students could not perform the traditional Grade 11 play, they were still determined to make this tradition a reality.

Enter The 39 Steps, an audio drama which students could record safely and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own cellphone or computer.

“At first I was very disappointed that we couldn’t do our usual play, since I had been looking forward to it for years,” said Technical Director Raylene Schartner. “But this opportunity not only makes our class unique, but gives us a play that we can listen to for years to come. Producing the audio drama also presented the opportunity to learn new skills and programs in sound editing and mixing.”

The entire Grade 11 class lends their vocals to the story.

“It was a lot of fun to explore the range of my voice and to create a character just through vocal expression,” explained student Tiffany Redekop, who plays Pamela Stewart. “The challenge of doing something new also helped bring our class closer together.”

The 39 Steps is a radio play adapted by Joe Landry based on the 1935 movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The story is a masterful blend of horror, comedy and romance, and Landry’s adaptation keeps the listener on the edge of their seat.

As audio dramas and podcasts have risen in popularity, the class hopes audiences enjoy this offering entirely acted, edited, and produced by the Grade 11 class of UMEI.

The genre and advertisements reflect the style of old-time radio plays, so the recordings bring a sense of nostalgia and also incorporates ads from local businesses.

“I am really proud of this class for adapting our decades old tradition during a pandemic,” said director Chani Wiens. “It gives me hope that students from this time will take away flexibility, creativity and determination. In the lemon that is 2020, they made this play their lemonade.”

For more information, please visit umei.ca.