The Globe awaits Levin drama student

Horowhenua College drama student Ayvran Mackie, 17, is one of 24 New Zealand students selected to tread the boards of London's famous Globe Theatre next year.

All the world's a stage and stepping on to London's Globe Theatre will be a dream come true for one Horowhenua College drama student.

Ayvran Mackie has been selected for the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company 2017 to perform at the famous theatre next year.

The 17-year-old drama student, one of just 24 college students chosen from around the country, is the first from Horowhenua to take part in the three-week itinerary that includes workshops, Q&A sessions with actors and directors and performing for the public at The Globe. There is also a visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace.

"It was really surprising to hear I'd been selected but since then, when I try to get to sleep it's all I can think about," said Mackie.

"Few people get to perform on that stage, it will definitely be the highlight of the trip."
Her performance as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Drama teacher Faith Perry at this year's National Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, saw Mackie selected for a week-long intensive workshop in Dunedin. Her level of performance and participation at the workshop saw her invited to join the Young Shakespeare Company to represent New Zealand at The Globe next July.

"We've all been wanting someone from the drama group to get selected to go to The Globe, it just happened to be me. When we entered the Shakespeare competition this year I was just hoping we'd get to the Nationals. When I heard this news I was just like 'wow'," said Mackie.

She said it was "amazing" that they would be performing at 11pm after the main play.
"Everyone is excited for me, the other drama students said they knew I could do it, and all my family want to come with me."

Mackie has performed at the annual Shakespeare festivals for the past three years, including roles as the Prince in Romeo and Juliet, Portia in the Merchant of Venice , which she also co-directed, and Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew.

"I love Shakespeare. Although the language is so different and the plays are old, they are still relevant today. Shakespeare gave us so much to work with and make our own, to use our own interpretation."

Horowhenua College has been competing in the Shakespeare festivals since 2010, introduced to the festivals by college Head of Drama Faith Perry.

Its drama students have won plaudits and cups for student and teacher directed scenes every year but it has always been Ms Perry's aim to get one of her students to The Globe. She was "thrilled and proud", paying tribute to the college drama students who had taken part in the festivals from the beginning, and the tremendous community support that had helped them get to the Nationals.

"Our Level 2 students are already making plans for next year's festival and younger drama students are keen to get started. Hopefully this will be just the beginning of Horowhenua College Drama students going to The Globe," she said.

She said the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company selection was the pinnacle for college drama students and has been the stepping stone for many professionals entering the entertainment industry.