Alumna Pursues Acting Career
We always love to hear about the successes of our Alumni, and it is with great pleasure that we share news of OE Tabitha Bradley (2002-18), who is currently living and studying in New York.
Tabitha is enrolled at the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, where she is having an incredible experience. Having already done a lot of theatre performances in the UK, Tabitha is now focusing on screen acting, something she was very eager to gain more exposure and experience in.
At RGS, Tabitha studied Biology, Chemistry, and Maths at A Level and went on to achieve a degree in Physiotherapy. She was heavily involved in RGS performances and Drama, and she is grateful for the support she received from her Drama teachers Jilly Witcomb and Dan Morgan, and Howard Smith, her Chemistry teacher. Reflecting on her time at RGS, Tabitha recalls, “I look back on my time at RGS so fondly, they really were some of the best years of my life. I am still in touch with a number of best friends from my time there whom I am definitely missing whilst I’m out here! A couple of standout memories would definitely be my final performance as part of the Drama department performing in West Side Story, we definitely had the best cast and we were so fortunate to be having so much fun every night. At the end of the last performance, I don’t think I’ve ever cried quite so much! Another standout memory was our year winning their Modus – I don’t think I’d ever sat through a Rugby match but that one I actually watched, I remember being so on edge the whole time and I have never been so proud as I was watching our friends win!”.
Applying to the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts involves a rigorous application process with both interviews and auditions. Tabitha was thrilled not only to secure a place but also to be awarded a full Scholarship, a testament to her commitment, passion, and talent.
Reflecting on how RGS prepared her for the next steps, Tabitha says, “I completed a degree in Physiotherapy first before I went back to acting, and I found RGS had prepared me effectively for Higher Education as I was already well prepared for dealing with the academic pressure and how to learn independently. Furthermore, RGS helped to work on my confidence which allowed me to communicate with people, patients, and hospital employees that I had to engage with”.
Tabitha has some final words of wisdom for current pupils who are keen to pursue a career in performance – “Take advantage of every opportunity you have, do as many of the shows and concerts on offer as you can, talk to your teachers, and follow your heart”. We can’t wait to hear more about Tabitha’s exciting time in America, and we extend our warm congratulations to her on securing her Scholarship and pursuing her dreams.
