5 0Drama of & Performing Arts
IMAGINE A WORLD where the
performing arts didn ' t exist . A world in which your favourite play , or musical , or film was simply no more - what a wonderless world it would be . At QMU we understand how important the performing arts are to our collective wellbeing . They enrich our lives , give voice to our stories , and embody our cultures and values . For fifty years successive staff at QMU have worked to ensure that a future in the performing arts is open to anyone . We are as committed to this now as we were in 1971 when the Edinburgh College of Speech and Drama was incorporated into Queen Margaret College . Studying the performing arts should not be something that only a small minority have the resources to pursue . The stories we tell on stage and screen should be of , by and for all of us . As I write this , the performing arts are one of the sectors hardest hit by the global pandemic . But the pandemic has also highlighted how endlessly resilient and creative the passionate people who work in this field are . I recognise that very same passion , resilience and creativity in our students and it fills me with hope and excitement for what they will create in the future . I know that the performing arts will thrive again , and I am confident that QMU will continue to be at the forefront of its success . Throughout 2021 we will be celebrating the success of all our performing arts graduates and I encourage you to get in touch with your story . The next few pages are dedicated to a handful of our most prominent acting and performance alumni , celebrating their QMU story – I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did . ❒
Professor David Stevenson , Acting Dean of Arts , Social Sciences and Management , and Class of 2016
60 second interview with BBC CBeebies star Danielle Jam
It ’ s been almost two years since we last spoke with Danielle , who graduated in 2018
with a BA ( Hons ) Acting for Stage and Screen . She ’ s best known for her role as Daisy in the CBeebies hit TV show ‘ Molly and Mack ’. Danielle took a break from filming the third series of the children ’ s family drama to chat to us .
What ’ s happened since your last interview with us ? I filmed the second series of the CBeebies show Molly and Mack ; starred in my first pantomime ; toured Sonnet Youth ' s theatre production of ‘ thick skin , elastic heart ’; and shot the BBC drama short , ‘ Dash ’.
What was your first acting role ? I played an orphan , a pick pocket and a milkmaid in an amateur dramatics production of ‘ Oliver ’.
Name one thing that you enjoyed from your degree course ? I loved studying Shakespearean and Greek plays . It encouraged me to think about classical theatre in a different way and revealed a new way of acting .
Fondest memory of QMU ? Living away from home for the first time in a new city . I loved the independence and living on campus with new people . It helped me grow as an individual .
What ’ s been critical in preparing you for an acting career ? Preparing a business plan . At QMU we were tasked with setting career goals and exploring alternative / co-existing work options to support ourselves between acting jobs .
The business plan , head shots , monologues and portfolio have been essential for the transition between student life and professional career . The QMU course taught me how to be an actor , not just how to act !
Three words that best describe your time at QMU ? Transforming . Fun . Independence .
Favourite role or production ? My graduate scheme production of Dundee Rep ’ s ‘ The Snow Queen ’ - that was very special .
Best advice you ’ ve been given ? Take care of my mental health and wellbeing .
Which do you prefer - stage or screen ? Stage – there ’ s more time for the rehearsal process !
If you ’ d chosen an alternative career , what would it have been ? I love story telling so maybe an English teacher or a novelist .
Hopes for the future ? More representation within the industry . It ’ s one of the things that drives me as an actress . ❒
The third series of CBeebies , Molly & Mack is due to be aired in 2021 .
QMYOU / Celebrating 50 Years of Drama 27