ISLA’S DRAMATIC SUCCESS CONTINUES!

Isla Henderson, Year 13 student at Richmond Sixth Form College, has been a key member of the school’s Drama and Music departments since she joined the school in Year 7. Her acting and vocal talents are fabulous and she brings a hard working, dedicated attitude to all her practices and performances.

Isla doesn’t restrict her acting and singing to school and college performances – she has been a member of the Georgian Theatre Royal’s Youth Theatre group since she was at primary school and has taken part in many of their shows over the years. Isla is also an active member of the Richmond Operatic Society.

We have reported on a number of Isla’s performances since she joined the school but, as you’d expect, her work and success continue. We thought it was time for an update, mainly in light of the fact that Isla recently won a National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) award for ‘Best Youth Performer in Yorkshire’ at a ceremony at Gosforth Park Hotel, Newcastle. This award was for her performance as ‘Jenny’ in Richmond Operatic Society’s performance of ‘Calendar Girls’ last year at the Georgian Theatre Royal.

Isla had this to say about the ceremony and the award: “The awards ceremony was so much fun! Everyone was so nice and I made really good friends with the other actors nominated in the same category as me. I got a certificate for the nomination and won a trophy for the category which I am so proud of. Luckily I didn’t have to give a speech because I had nothing planned!”

Isla has also been busy with the school’s drama group, taking part in a ‘One Act Play’ festival with a performance of ‘The Edelweiss Pirates’. The group won the Durham Cup for best performance.

Isla is, of course, taking Theatre Studies as one of her A-levels and recently performed an A-Level Devised piece – a murder mystery farce called ‘A Not So Dark and Stormy Night’ at the Georgian Theatre Royal – a huge success by all accounts! She is also in the process of applying for Musical Theatre courses at university.

Continuing Isla’s stage performances, she has recently finished a run of ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’, playing a gargoyle with Richmond Operatic Society, as well as a stand-out turn as Dorothy in the school’s panto – The Wizard of Oz.

Away from the stage, though very much connected, Isla’s journey through the musical grades is nearly over. She is currently studying and practising hard for her Grade 8 singing exam. Her voice teacher, Susan Jinks, had this to say about Isla: “I have been coaching Isla since she first came to the school in year 7, she has always been a dedicated student with a true passion for her vocal development. Isla has a strong work ethic and is professional in her approach to her craft. This award could not be more deserved. I know that she has the

skills and resilience to be successful in the Musical Theatre world. I began my own career in Musical Theatre and have worked all over the world, Isla would not be out of place in any Theatre I have ever played. I hope that she enjoys the next stage of her career as much as I have enjoyed coaching her.”

We wish Isla continued success with her fantastic performances and very much look forward to catching up with her later on this year for an update and to hear about her plans for the future.