Inner West Eisteddfod Wraps for 2021

Speech and Drama Studio High Achievers

Last weekend was the fourth and final weekend of the Inner West Eisteddfod. One-hundred Speech and Drama Studio students represented MLC School in a variety of categories from acting to poetry to public speaking, achieving numerous Winning Place and Highly Commended awards and excellent marks and reports for all students. The Speech and Drama Studio has supported our local Eisteddfod for the past 25 years since I commenced at MLC School. The Inner West Eisteddfod (IWE) is a non-profit organisation founded in 1984. Its objective is to nurture and encourage young people in the performing arts, giving them a valuable opportunity to develop confidence and skill and to benefit from expert assessment. Eisteddfods were a highlight of my own high school years and I was fortunate for the opportunity to participate in the Inner West, Penrith,  Parramatta, St George and City of Sydney Eisteddfods in the 1980s. I see the same positive impact the experience has on our students today.

A huge congratulations to 22 of our Speech and Drama Studio students who represented MLC School last weekend at the Inner West Eisteddfod. Sections included Shakespeare Extract Solo or Duo; Character Recital in Costume; Prepared Speech; Duologue in Costume; Improvisation and the Actor’s Championship. Whilst a number of our MLC School speech and drama students achieved Winning Place and Highly Commended awards, we are more focused on the experience rather than the result. Every single student performed with confidence, focus and energy. We are proud of each student for daring to be more, by challenging herself to strive for excellence in her Eisteddfod piece and being fearless performing in front of an Adjudicator and audience. The students really enjoyed the experience and are already excited about next year’s Eisteddfod!

‘Throughout the Inner West Eisteddfod, I had so much fun amongst many talented people and came 2nd place. When I performed the poem, ‘If I should have a daughter’ by Sarah Kay, I used my nervousness to project my voice, making the emotion really resonate with the audience. I really enjoyed the subject and was passionate about the way the author conveyed the story.’ – Elora Nadarajah (Year 8)

Congratulations to the following students:

  • Anisha Sivaguranathan (Year 7) and Aryana Sah (Year 7) – 1st place in Duologue in Costume
  • Sacha Jeyasingam (Year 7) and Chloe Miller (Year 7)  – 2nd place in Duologue in Costume
  • Magdalena Volikas (Year 3) and Faith Huynh (Year 3) – Highly Commended in Duologue in Costume
  • Sophia Hu (Year 6) and Meena Kanthathas (Year 6) – 2nd place in Improvisation
  • Amisha Khatri (Year 10) – 3rd place in Prepared Speech
  • Lily Walker (Year 10) – Character Recital in Costume
  • Dalia Alsaad (Year 10) and Chantel Nguyen (Year 10) – Shakespeare Extract Solo or Duo
  • Sameera Khatri (Year 8) – Character Recital in Costume
  • Julia Zarlenga (Year 7) – Character Recital in Costume
  • Dina Saeed (Year 7) and May Nguyen (Year 7) – Improvisation
  • Haegan Sitou (Year 7), Grace Farrow (Year 7) and Kathleen Chrun (Year 7) – Improvisation
  • Anisha Sivaguranathan (Year 7) and Aryana Sah (Year 7) – Improvisation
  • Jodhi Bou (Year 6) – Actor’s Championship

 

Special Mention to Zahra

Zahra Yassine (Year 8) competed in an impressive four sections of the Inner West Eisteddfod. Sections included: Prepared Speech, Humorous Verse or Prose, Character Recital in Costume and the Actor’s Championship.

We are so proud of Zahra for her extraordinary effort, excellent results and continue commitment to speech and drama.

– Monica Brian
Director, The Speech and Drama Studio

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