James Wade, a BFA multidisciplinary major, took home first prize in the U of L’s Plays and Prose competition for the second year in row. Today, Thursday March 31, both Wade and first place winner for the short story category, David Byrant, will be having their pieces read at 7 p.m. in the David Spinks Theater.

Wade said that he was extremely excited winning for the second year in the row as it “validates [his] passion” and has given him the confidence to continue doing not only what he aspires to do as a career, but doing what he loves. When asked if he is just as excited to have the play read aloud, he comments that “there is a temptation to call the script finished if the audience likes it, but I remind myself that it’s a part of the process and some great revisions came from last year’s reading. Also, it’s just a very fun event and I can’t wait to hear Dave Bryant’s short story read aloud.”

To give students an idea about the play, Wade offers a brief description. He says that “Greetings from Sardineland” is about two comic book artists in 1954 whose detective comic comes under attack from the United States government as part of an alleged campaign to root out juvenile delinquency in the states. As the future of their comic becomes less and less certain, unspoken tensions between these two friends rise to the surface and threaten their friendship as well as their careers.”

As a multidisciplinary major, Wade has had the opportunity to take many different types of courses and he says that it has “afforded me some great opportunities.” Great opportunities also come from this competition, such as prize money, recognition, and – surprisingly – criticism. Wade said that he was definitely able to utilize last year’s criticism not only on last year’s entry, but this year’s as well. He said that “I hope it seems like a more mature effort altogether.”

Wade also comments on the future usefulness as a multidisciplinary BFA major: “it’s difficult to make a living as a Canadian playwright, so I hope the breadth of my training will come in handy as I produce whatever work I can.”

Come out tonight to support both Wade and Byrant today as their works are fully recognized the university and Lethbridge community. It is sure to be a great display of talent and art, starting at 7 p.m. in the David Spinks Theater.