When Performing Arts Westsyde mounts its production of Love, Loss and What I Wore later this month, the performance will make a little history.

For the first time, perhaps in the annals of B.C. high school theatre, the entire cast will be made up of former Westsyde students or classmates from artistic director Stephen Sawka's past.

"These are students from Westsyde who have gone on to professional careers, semi-professional careers or trained in theatre and are coming back to do this fundraiser for us," said Sawka.

"It's very unique, definitely to B.C."

Returning are graduates Terri Runnalls, Chelsea Isenor, Paige Cross, Kayla Sorley and Sawka's friend from his theatre days at the University College of the Cariboo, Giovanna Rondinelli.

"She's our special guest," said Sawka, adding he and Rondinelli haven't seen each other since a production of Newhouse at UCC, now Thompson Rivers University.

Everyone who Sawka asked to appear said yes, which he attributes to the strength of Westsyde's theatre program and the cause — a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

Written by sisters Nora and Delia Ephron, Love, Loss and What I Wore is a series of monologues about women's relationships and wardrobes. The Ephrons adapted the play from a book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman.

Nora is an award-winning screenwriter and director known for the romantic comedies When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. She died of pneumonia earlier this year.

Sawka saw Love, Loss and What I Wore during its Toronto premiere in 2008 with a cast that included Canadian actresses Andrea Martin and Mary Walsh. He immediately wanted to stage the show at Westsyde, but believed it too complex for high school students.

"I realized I needed to bring back alumni. And I wanted to showcase how far Westsyde actors could go," he said.

Runnalls runs her own theatre company and works with Western Canada Theatre, and Isenor is a working actor in Vancouver, he said.

Love, Loss and What I Wore runs Nov. 21 to 24 at the Rachel Ball Theatre in Westsyde secondary. Tickets are $10 and available now by phoning 250-579-9271.