Anna, Year 10, Century Park Campus

I’ve participated in drama performances at YCIS since I was in Year 7. Though each play has been vastly different, there’s a similar ritual in the way they run, from the very first time you read through the script, to the date of the performance when you’ve heard all of the jokes so many times you can’t even remember finding them funny. It’s hard to describe the feeling of significance that slowly grows through the months of frequent practice, or the familial kind of friendship that the cast develops, but it all builds towards performance week.

On the first night of performance, there’s an exhilarating atmosphere backstage. No matter how well-prepared you are or how long you’ve had your lines memorised, this is where the months of work will pay off. Everyone is hurriedly checking their make-up in the mirror or doing a last run-through of their lines. It’s fascinating and also really exciting.

I think being part of a play is a good experience because it requires a lot of hard work over a relatively long period of time, and it produces a unique and impressive result. It teaches you about taking responsibility, and it results in the inimitable feeling of accomplishment when you take your last bow after the final performance.