The bright lights beckon for Bede Sixth Form College student Zarqa who has scooped a place to study at one of the UK’s prestigious theatre schools.
It means ambitions of a career on stage or screen have moved a step closer for the 18-year-old from Middlesbrough who just a few years ago never could have imagined putting herself into the spotlight.
Now among a select group of young performers chosen nationally to study theatre and performance at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, she said: “I was always very creative as a child and wanted to tell stories, but I was also very shy. My mum suggested I try youth theatre to build my confidence.”
While performing pushed her out of her comfort zone, it proved just the boost she needed to step out from the wings.
When it came to deciding what to do after leaving school, studying performing arts at college was top of the list. Choosing Bede meant she was able to pursue that ambition while backing it up with A levels in English language and media studies.
She said: “A lot of people told me that I couldn’t achieve what I have because I didn’t take a conventional route via a full-time vocational course or performing arts college, but I believed in myself and worked hard to get where I am.
“The course has been great. There’s a lot of practical work with rehearsals and performances, as well as the theoretical and research skills into the industry.”
After two years of honing her skills, with support from her teachers at Bede, Zarqa ultimately set her sights on Arden.
Despite describing the audition as “nerve-wracking”, surrounded by fellow talented performers, she said: “It just felt right. It’s a friendly environment, even in a competitive industry it feels like people want to help lift each other up.”
Performing a serious monologue from the play Mercy Fine by Shelley Silas, Zarqa said: “For the audition I had to try and keep myself calm and did exercises to keep my spirits up. There is a lot of rejection in this industry, so you have to look at it as redirection and try again.”
Fortunately for the 18-year-old, on this occasion, the hard work and preparation paid off.
Now looking forward to studying in Manchester and beyond, she said: “I am open to any creative opportunity. Just to be a performer is the dream.”
