Tabitha is studying at the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and having an amazing experience. After doing a lot of theatre performance here in the UK, her course in America is focussed on screen acting, something she was very keen to get more exposure to and experience in.

At RGS Tabitha studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths for A Level and went on to get a degree in Physiotherapy. At School she was heavily involved in RGS performances and Drama and she esepcially remembers with huge gratutide for their support her Drama teachers Jilly Witcomb and Dan Morgan, and Howard Smith, her Chemistry teacher. Reflecting on her RGS days, Tabitha tells us, “I look back on my time at RGS so fondly, they really were some of the best years of my life. I am still in touch with a number of best friends from my time there whom I am definitely missing whilst I'm out here! A couple of standout memories would definitely be my final performance as part of the drama department doing West Side Story, we definitely had the best cast and we were so fortunate to be having so much fun every night. At the end of the last performance I don't think I've ever cried quite so much! Another standout was our year winning their Modus - I don't think I'd ever sat through a rugby match but that one I actually watched, I remember being so on edge the whole time and I have never been so proud as I was watching our friends win!”

Applying to the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts involves a rigorous application process with both interviews and auditions. Tabitha was delighted to not only secure a place, but also to be awarded a full scholarship – something to be immensely proud of and a real testament to her commitment, passion and talent.

Talking about her course, Tabitha says “The course so far has been so much fun, we began with a lot of basic technique, which involved some classic theatre kid stereotypes i.e., walking around like an animal. But we are now getting to learn scripts and create short films for classes so its getting a lot more challenging… we're lucky that we study a number of different practitioners of acting - so everyone is bound to find something that works for them. ”

New York highlights for Tabitha have included $1 pizza, making lots of new friends and also catching a glimpse of Ryan Reynolds, Fiona Shaw and John Krasinski filming right outside her dorm!

Reflecting on how RGS prepared her for the next steps, Tabitha says, “I did a degree in Physiotherapy first before I went back to acting, and I found RGS had prepared me effectively for higher education as I was already more prepared to deal with the academic pressure and how to learn independently. Furthermore, RGS helped to work on my confidence which allowed me to communicate with people, patients and hospital employees that I had to engage with.”

Tabitha has some final words of wisdom for any current pupils keen to pursue a career in performance - “Take advantage of every opportunity you have, do as many of the shows and concerts on offer as you can, talk to your teachers and follow your heart”.

We can not wait to hear more on Tabitha’s exciting time in America and a huge well done to her on securing her scholarship and pursuing her dreams.