Shakespeare plays are far from child's play.
That is why three budding actors from Dunedin are relishing the opportunity to work with some of the best Shakespeare directors in the business.
Logan Park High School pupils Luke Major and Reva Grills, and King's High School pupil Conan Hayes (all 17) have been selected to attend the National Shakespeare Schools Production Company (NSSPC) in Wellington, from September 27 to October 5.
They will spend a week intensively studying aspects of Shakespeare's works and three of his plays, under the direction of leading New Zealand directors.
They will be among 48 of the country's top secondary school Shakespearean actors, who will give public performances with the NSSPC at the Legislative Chamber of Parliament, in Wellington.
Luke and Reva's selection follows Logan Park High School's recent success at the New Zealand Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in Wellington.
The school won the Sheilah Winn Award for best play, Reva won the outstanding performer award and the cast won awards for best voice projection and most courteous and co-operative cast backstage.
And to top it off, Luke won the outstanding student directed design/costume award for his interpretation of Love's Labour's Lost.
Reva said the awards and her selection for the NSSPC was a little overwhelming, because she was still new to acting, having only trod the boards for the first time earlier this year.
While it was difficult to comprehend the success, she was very excited about the opportunity to work alongside some of the country's top young Shakespearean actors.
During the week-long intensive training, 23 pupils will be selected to represent New Zealand at the Globe Theatre, in London in 2016.
''To be selected would be the chance of a lifetime,'' Luke said.
''It would be mind-blowing. I feel like this could propel me into a career in acting.''
One person who has already been selected for the Globe trip is Logan Park High School head of drama Sarah Spicer.
She was selected after winning a Shakespeare Centre New Zealand Go Global teaching scholarship.
She is one of 20 top drama teachers in New Zealand to attend.
