'The world’s mine oyster': Shakespeare’s Globe beckons for young Hornby actor

Nadia Officer (right) performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream alongside Meagan MacKinnon at the National Sheila Winn Shakespeare Festival. Photo: Memory of Light Photography

A Hornby High School student has been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent New Zealand on the world stage.

Head student Nadia Officer has become a member of the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company for 2022, and will be one of 24 young actors from around the country heading to the Globe Theatre in London later this year.

Nadia was ‘shocked but very ecstatic’ to be joining the company after dedicating six years to drama classes, rehearsals, musicals and Shakespeare festivals.

“It is my dream to get to the Globe and I hope to express and share the incredible themes, lessons and language that Shakespeare gifted us all those years ago, which couldn’t be more relevant in today’s world,” Nadia said.

After gaining success at the regional and national Sheila Winn Shakespeare Festivals, Nadia was awarded the most promising actor.

One of Hornby High School's head students, Nadia Officer, is fundraising for her trip to workshop and perform at London’s Globe Theatre. Photo: Supplied

She then went on to become part of the National Shakespeare Schools Production, where only 50 students were selected nationwide. From there, the 24 actors were chosen for the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company.

Principal Robin Sutton was filled with pride recalling the first time he watched Nadia perform.

“I remember seeing Nadia as a Year 8 student on the stage, and even as a 12-year-old she had the most natural stage presence I’ve ever seen in a student in my whole teaching career,” said Sutton. “And she’s just got better and better.”

Not only has this opportunity changed Nadia’s life, but it has helped inspire other students at the school to pursue theatre.

Drama Teacher Joanne Clark said: “Every student deserves to have that opportunity and to know you can go to those productions, go to nationals, and go to London. That opportunity is there.”

Shakespeare wrote in his play The Merry Wives of Windsor: ‘The world’s mine oyster’, and this is undoubtedly true for Nadia.

But with big dreams, and big opportunities come big costs. Nadia is rallying to raise $10,000 to help cover the cost of travel, accommodation, workshop fees, and meals across the two-week experience.

You can support Nadia via a Givealittle page. A fundraiser event is also being held tomorrow (Wednesday, May 25) at the Hornby High School Auditorium. Nadia invites the community to come along and enjoy an evening of performances from students and staff, as well as a raffle. Doors open at 6:30pm, and a gold coin is required for entry. All proceeds raised from the evening will go towards the cost of the trip.

-By Shardey Harris