Blog by Jemima N. (Year 9)
As a Kimbolton drama scholar and aspiring actor, I love performing monologues which are basically solo acting scenes, just you alone on the stage. They are totally nerve wracking but brilliant practise for capturing an audience and conveying emotional scenes – oh and getting good at learning lots of lines!
I recently entered a national competition organised by the Young Talent Expo where I had to submit a video of me performing a 3 minute monologue. The entries were then judged by top industry Casting Directors, one of which recently cast the child actors for the new Harry Potter tv series filming at the Warner Brothers Studios in Watford.
I was so surprised and happy when I heard the judges had chosen me as a winner and asked me to do my monologue on the main stage at the Expo in London. So with permission to be excused from my hockey match (thank you Mr Chuter!) I excitedly travelled down to London last Saturday to perform.
The Expo is an amazing opportunity but quite daunting, especially as when we arrived I realised I’d be performing to hundreds of people in a huge conference venue. The monologue I performed is the opening scene from a wonderful play called ‘A Hundred Words for Snow’ by Tatty Hennessy which is about a girl whose geography teacher dad sadly dies in an accident. They had always dreamt of travelling Antarctica together to see polar bears and in his memory she decides to go anyway. As you can imagine my scene was emotional, tense and at times tragic, which I realised would be very difficult to deliver in a busy noisy environment.
The Expo is an amazing opportunity but very daunting, especially as when we arrived I realised I’d be performing to hundreds of people in a huge conference venue. The monologue I performed is the opening scene from a wonderful play called ‘A Hundred Words for Snow’ by Tatty Hennessy which is about a girl whose geography teacher dad sadly dies in an accident. They had always dreamt of travelling to the Arctic Circle together and in his memory she decides to go anyway. As you can imagine my scene was emotional, tense and at times tragic, which I realised would be difficult to deliver in a busy noisy environment.
As drama scholars we are taught to ‘lean into silences’ when acting, to not be afraid of them and use them to built tension, suspense and emotion. I knew that would be impossible here so a last minute change of pace and tone was needed! Fortunately we’re also taught to be responsive, quick thinkers and to always be ready to perform in all situations…which can be quite stressful!
I stepped on stage and scanned the room, patiently waiting for the crowds to settle, then started my monologue. Happily I didn’t forget my lines, the more upbeat tone worked really well and they were an engaged audience – giving me a huge round of applause at the end….making all the nerves and stress completely worthwhile!
I know that pushing myself to do challenging things that are out of my comfort zone, such as the Young Talent Expo competition, means I will grow and develop as an actor but in the moment it’s hard to remember this! The Kimbolton drama scholarship is giving me even more opportunities to train as an actor, watch performances and be involved in school productions, continually expanding my knowledge and skills for which I’m so grateful.
For now I’m back immersed in the school production rehearsals for the incredible musical ‘Come From Away’ and will be on stage again in the Lewis Hall in less than 3 weeks time! It’s going to be an amazing show.
