PERSONALIA FEATURES
Grace Andrews ( 08-10 ) came to Pocklington School for the sixth form with the hope of expanding her theatrical learning and experience .
Grace recalls : “ The Tom Stoppard Theatre gave me a fantastic sphere in which to do this , with outstanding teaching , advice and support from Mr Heaven and Mr Ryan – and inspired me to view acting as an exciting , viable career within my reach .”
Following her A-levels , Grace gained a place at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2010 , where she completed a BA Honours in Acting . This was an intensive three years of full-time study , usually six days a week . Guildhall is one of the leading drama schools in the UK .
Grace reflects : “ What has really stayed with me from the training is the collective focus , the intensity and demand for high standards , and the sheer joy of being in an energetic , multi-talented and determined ensemble . This is the best I could have hoped for in higher education ; a thorough training and a brilliant road map to becoming a classical actor .”
Following her studies , Grace worked on many projects and more recently embarked on a world tour with international theatre company , Cheek by Jowl . She played the parts of ‘ Emilia ’ and ‘ Time ’ in Shakespearean tragicomedy The Winter ’ s Tale directed by Declan Donnellan .
Grace comments : “ Ego is uninteresting at Cheek By Jowl – and instead the ensemble is the key . This has been fascinating to discover as an actress .
“ We rehearsed for six weeks , examining every single thing these characters had to gain and lose . We watched each other ’ s work grow into full-blooded alive performances . We became strong friends and a supportive team , which is essential for the stamina required in touring .
“ For me , it was a particularly exciting job due to the travel . As an actress , it is easy to feel tied to London , where most auditions take place , where my agent is , and where lots of interesting work occurs . However , ever since leaving school I have always wanted to travel the world , so this job was a dream for me , and I feel incredibly lucky to combine the two .“
The Winter ’ s Tale opened in Paris in January 2016 to a warm and receptive audience , moving on to Lille , Madrid , Milan and Luxembourg . The production received many favourable reviews and the company return to the stage in New York , Chicago , Moscow and other international locations before reaching the Barbican in London in April 2017 .
Grace is carving herself a fantastic career as an actor , but has not forgotten her roots . She comments : “ I owe Pocklington School enormous thanks for supporting me in my auditions for drama school and fostering my determination to realise my dreams .”
Grace is currently working with a company called Belarus Free Theatre on an upcoming devised production at the Arcola Theatre in London .
We wish Grace well with her future career .
Toby Nash ( 05-09 ) and his sister Sophie ( 00- 11 ) gave up their usual ski holiday to do something a little different earlier this year . They decided to be volunteers for Katie ’ s Ski Tracks , a registered UK charity that takes disadvantaged children with life-threatening or life-limiting medical conditions , disability , or extreme social problems , on an adventure skiing holiday of a lifetime to Italy – without their parents or carers .
Toby describes himself as ‘ a passionate skier ’, so he felt a little pressured and wondered if he had made the right decision giving up his usual ski fun . However , he was more than pleasantly surprised .
Toby explains “ More often than not the lives of the children who come on these ski holidays are permeated with barriers and an inability for one reason or another to take part . Not anymore ! The week in Italy is filled with parties , surprises , activities , gifts , games and of course … skiing , where every child is the centre of attention and totally spoilt for a week .
“ One of the boys I skied with has severe cerebral palsy . He cannot talk past single syllables and has limited voluntary movement ; he is though , very intelligent . At the start of the week he was scared . It was the first time he had left his mum for a sustained period of time and he cried on the outward bus journey and was quiet for the first day in Italy .
“ That night we had a disco in an igloo on the slope .
He and his chair where covered in flashing lights and , whereas normally he may have ended up to the side of the dance floor , he spent most of the evening smiling in the middle of all the other children , fully involved .
“ The next day we got him skiing . He skied in a bi-ski , a sort of bucket seat controlled by the shifting of weight . As his ski guide I did this by skiing behind him . We started on the nursery slope , pushing him to the top and managing to get just a couple of turns in before we were at the bottom again . He loved it ! With a bit more practice he was soon able to predict the bi-ski ’ s motion and understand how it turned a corner . After that it didn ’ t take long for him to be able to move his head and arms in the direction of the next turn , and there we have it ! He was skiing !
“ With this newly learnt skill and with only a little bit of encouragement needed , we progressed . His enjoyment progressed too and before we knew it we were going right to the top of the slope with the whoops and screams and laughter getting noisier all the time ! This quiet , scared and shy boy from the beginning of the week had become one of the loudest on the slope ! My legs have never been so tired . The moment we arrived at the bottom of the slope he would whoop and laugh and receive his deserved high fives and would shout ‘ AGAIN !’”
On his return Toby reflected : “ Ski Tracks has undoubtedly been the best , most rewarding single week I have ever experienced . It has been an emotional rollercoaster and exhausting and I cannot wait for next time .”
Although Toby would consider himself a proficient skier , ski ability is not a pre-requisite to volunteering for Katie ’ s Ski Tracks as there are so many other activities to get involved with . To find out more visit the website : www . katiesskitracks . org .
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