Bard inspires drama queen

Year 13 Chanel College student, Anastasia Roberts is our current drama queen since being selected as one of 48 students from throughout New Zealand for the National Shakespeare School production to be held in Auckland in September.

Anastasia described her mix of emotions at the news as being shock and elation with a touch of embarrassment.

"I turned around and saw my parents cheering in the front row," she said.

Anastasia will not only work with other outstanding student actors but will also have the opportunity to be chosen to be one of the 13 students to visit and perform in the Globe Theatre in London next year.

She is particularly passionate about Shakespeare.

"I remember how nervous and naive I was the first time I performed Shakespeare. I was in Year 9 and I was Lady Capulet trying to tell off my daughter, Juliet, who was in Year 13," she said.

"I sped through my lines as quickly as I could before running off the stage, but that's where I started and I know how much I have improved.

"Shakespeare's stories and words are still as poignant and important as they were 400 years ago.

"Acting has built my confidence and it doesn't hurt in English class."

In the past two years, Anastasia has stepped up to the challenge of directing a student production performed with the Chanel O'Shea Shield Drama team and was a member of the Chanel College Theatre Sports team, which won an intercollegiate competition last year.

Anastasia is not the first actor selected for NSSP from Chanel. Joseph Raea was selected last year for his performance as Macbeth.