The 80th Lambton-Kent Dramafest, March 10–12, features student-written plays from local high schools at the Chatham Capitol Theatre.

The Lambton-Kent National Theatre School Dramafest, marking its 80th anniversary since 1946, will run March 10 to 12 at the Chatham Capitol Theatre, showcasing original one-act plays by high school students from the region. Now drawing around 350 entries annually, the festival—formerly the Sears Drama Festival—provides a supportive platform for youth to explore self-expression, empathy, and collaboration through theatre. Students have prepared since October, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. nightly and featuring diverse themes like survival, identity, and cultural heritage. The event is especially vital in schools facing arts funding cuts, offering every participant a role and fostering confidence and connection.