National Shakespeare Festival – Wellington 2025

From Thursday 29 May to Monday 2 June, students from Trinity Catholic College and John McGlashan College were in Wellington participating in the National Shakespeare Festival - a prestigious annual celebration of youth theatre and the timeless works of William Shakespeare.

Our adventure began on Thursday with a flight to the capital and some time to explore the city. We took the iconic Wellington cable car up to Victoria University, where we officially registered for the festival and began soaking in the atmosphere of excitement and creativity. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with other young performers from across Aotearoa, all passionate about Shakespeare and performance.

Friday was a full day of learning and connection. Students attended workshops run by professional actors, directors, and drama educators, including many with extensive experience in Shakespearean theatre. These sessions covered a wide range of topics including vocal delivery, movement, character development, and ensemble work. It was an invaluable experience, and we came away buzzing with ideas and inspiration. That afternoon, our team also had the chance to complete our tech rehearsal on stage, giving us time to familiarise ourselves with the performance space and fine-tune our work.

Saturday marked the beginning of the competition performances. The team from John McGlashan took to the stage and delivered an exceptional piece, full of energy, clarity, and commitment. Their hard work in the lead-up to the festival clearly paid off, and it was a privilege to cheer them on and celebrate their success.

On Sunday, it was Trinity's turn to perform. With nerves high and hearts full, we stepped onto the stage and gave everything we had. Every moment of preparation, every rehearsal, and every word of Shakespeare’s text came to life as we worked together to deliver a performance we could all be proud of. The pride we felt in our teamwork, passion, and presence on stage was truly unforgettable.

The awards evening on Sunday night was a celebration of all the incredible performances throughout the weekend. A highlight of the evening was a performance from the Young Shakespeare Company featuring one of our own, former Trinity student Phoebe Harris. Seeing Phoebe perform at such a high level was a powerful reminder of where a love for Shakespeare and the performing arts can take you. Her presence on stage was a special moment for us and a testament to what can be achieved through dedication and creativity.

Before returning home on Monday, we joined our friends from John McGlashan for a day of sightseeing around Wellington. We visited Te Papa, explored the city’s waterfront, and took in the rich history and culture of our capital city.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ms Fridd and Mr Morrison from John McGlashan, and to Miss Ward and Mrs Harris from Trinity, whose guidance, support, and enthusiasm made this entire experience possible. 

The National Shakespeare Festival was not just a performance opportunity - it was an inspiring, challenging, and rewarding journey. We returned to Dunedin not only stronger performers, but also more confident, connected, and creative young people.

A massive well done also to Ariel Holloway who gained 3rd place in the SGCNZ Ina Gaskin Essay Competition. This is an amazing achievement at a national level. Congratulations Ariel!