Sienna, Drama Scholar

“We have a packed programme of Drama Scholarship activities and we are regularly building on this. Scholars perform at a number of local Arts festival, Scholarship Showcases, performances in Chapel, Drama Scholars’ Assemblies, Scholarship workshops and performances on New Girls’ Day. For next year, we are planning of extending the programme by introducing some Masterclasses delivered by professional practitioners, a programme of 1-2-1 “progress report” interviews with all scholars and a special celebratory Drama Scholars’ tea party”.

- Mr Punter, Head of Drama

Sienna is a day girl in the Upper 4s (year 9), and says, “I’ve always had an interest in the theatre and have attended a drama school on the weekends since I was about five, where I have been in showcases and stage performances.”

Sienna decided to apply for a drama scholarship at 11+ entry at Queen Anne’s and took part in a day for applicants. “Firstly, to apply you need a Level 3 LAMDA, RADA, Trinity or equivalent award, which I had. We were sent several monologues and we needed to pick one to perform in front of Mr Punter, the Head of Drama along with another piece that is a personal choice.” The solo performances are recorded and shared with the rest of the drama department to decide on who will be awarded scholarships.

Since being at Queen Anne’s, Sienna is a familiar face in the drama department, seizing all opportunities to be involved in drama. In Lower 4, Sienna performed in Troy, a play on the trogon war and recently played Dandy Dan, one of the five principal roles in the Lower School production of Bugsy Malone. “When we prepare for the productions, one big thing is professionalism, we feel like we are professional actors due to the audition process, to the way the performance is run. Also, being involved in the school plays is great because you work with people from all other year groups, so there is definitely a sense of community in the drama department.”

Along with the drama productions, scholars participate in workshops. “There are so many workshops for the drama scholars. We work on our drama skills and for example, we delve into characters who are different to our own personalities.” The workshops are designed to stretch the scholars’ drama scope.

Sienna expressed, “the drama department are so fun, and I really like how approachable all the teachers are. The facilities here are amazing too, coming from a smaller primary school where we had to rent out a theatre to use, to having a 250-seat theatre in the school grounds makes you feel so professional.”

Despite only being thirteen, Sienna has plans to pursue drama at GCSE and A Level, and we are bound to see her on stage many more times throughout her time at QAS.