Taking on the role of Drama Captain this year has been such a pleasure in my final year of school.   

Drama Captain 2024, Lilla Barrington

Throughout my high school years, I have loved the welcoming theatre environment. I feel it can be such an inspiring place to be, where there is so much freedom and no judgment. With each year of Senior School, I drew more and more towards the Performing Arts, participating in as many shows and theatrical performances I could, and my love for it continued to grow. As a leader within the Performing Arts this year, it has been so fulfilling to watch the younger students participate, with the same enthusiasm as I had at their age.   

DRAMA CLUB 

Drama Club runs every second Wednesday at lunchtime and mainly consists of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. This has been a great environment for students who love the theatre to grow and improve on their skills as an actor. It has been amazing to watch their progress over the year.  

PRODUCTIONS 

Throughout the beginning of Semester 1, St Catherine’s put on our senior musical Song Contest: The Almost Eurovision Experience. What first presented itself as a mountain of a challenge, since it was a show like no other, turned into one of the most magical and enjoyable experiences. Mirroring the famous television show Eurovision, 11 countries all competed against one another through song, dance, and theatrics, all eager to win ultimate Eurovision glory. The hilarious character of Bettina Torkyirov (the host) played by Scarlet Russel, alongside the many different characters competing as countries, all equally entertaining as each other provided interactive comedic entertainment throughout the entire show, leaving the audience beside themselves with joy and laughter. It was a show to be remembered, and I could not have asked for a better cast and crew to do it with!  

NEW YORK NEW YORK 

On 23 June, eight theatre-loving students set off on the incredible Performing Arts Study Tour to New York accompanied by two wonderful Drama teachers, Ms Kathryn Lucas, and Mr James Brown. The itinerary was packed with various Broadway workshops, (dance acting, and singing), taught by some amazing people, whose knowledge and advice of the business were incredibly inspiring to learn. We were also given the amazing opportunity to tour Julliard University and NYU. They were both such incredible schools for the performing arts, presenting so many exciting opportunities for us all. Additionally, it was also great to see the famous tourist attractions that New York is known for such as Times Square, Central Park, Lady Liberty, and Rockefeller Centre to name a few.  

Of course, the eight Broadway shows we were able to see were all highlights in themselves. My personal two favourites were The Outsiders and Water for Elephants. Overall, such a spectacular experience, New York has truly left us all so inspired, what a special place.  

Thank you to Ms Lucas and Mr Brown for the trip of a lifetime!