High school drama teacher challenges young actors with thought-provoking play.

PRINCE GEORGE – A local high school drama teacher has recently strayed from the usual types of performances. Instead, she has presented her students with a challenging task: to participate in a performance that explores themes of conformity, censorship, and the suppression of individuality in what appears to be a perfect society.

The novel “The Giver” is the basis for this year’s play. For some schools across the province, the novel The Giver is required reading. The book addresses sensitive topics and the sacrifice of personal freedom. However, due to its adult themes, it isn’t the material typically used in a school play.

“It’s a hard story with a lot of horrible things in it. But I feel like, as a world, we’ve been through some hard stuff, and I didn’t want to give them something frivolous. I wanted to do something really meaningful.”