Central High put on a play for the local audience before taking it to Gravenhurst for the National Theatre School Drama Fest

By Pepper Parr

April 15^th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

A tragic 1911 fire that resulted in the deaths of 146 workers in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York, that occupied the top three floors of a nine-storey structure was the subject of a play that Central High School students will perform at the Region National Theatre School Drama Fest in Gravenhurst was on stage for the community to see last night.

30 of the women jumped to their deaths when they found the exit doors were locked.

It was sew, sew, sew. The pace was relentless.

Most of the workers were Jewish who came to America to find a new life.  Their hopes and dreams were part of their lives in a sweatshop where they were cajoled and bullied to improve their production.

Excellent choreography got that message across.

The owners of the company were always in the room. The workers didn’t get breaks.

Sew, sew, sew was a refrain as the women acted out the making of the shirtwaists.

When the fire was discovered, the owners, who were on-site supervising and bullying, fled.

It was not an easy production to perform.

The chatter amongst the women shifted when they realized there was a fire and that there was no obvious escape.

The play was adapted by the students, a student directed the play. Lighting was done by students; creating the sense that the scene was that of  an out of control fire was a challenge. The choreography called for controlled, precise movements throughout the performance

Drama teacher Marty Chenette with school principal Trish Clark, talking to one of the performers.

The Central High auditorium was close to full. Drama department director Marty Chenette explained that the students chose the play they wanted to put on stage. “Some years, different drama groups pitch potential plays; this year, there was just the one.

Nelson, MMR and Central high schools are taking performances to the National Theatre School Regional level competition.