Cambridge High School students Hamilton Kay and Jesse Tweddle perform their award winning scene. Photo: Memory of Light Photography.
Cambridge High School drama student Hamilton Kay has been given his dream shot after winning a place in the 2023 National Shakespeare Schools Production.
“I was extremely happy when I found out; it was an amazing feeling,” the 17-year-old said.
“If I do well, there are 24 people selected to then go to the UK next year and perform at the Globe Theatre in London in Stratford-upon-Avon. I’ve talked to some of the people who have done it and it just sounds amazing. That’s what I’m really, really hoping for.”
Cambridge High’s head of drama Larissa Peters said “incredibly excited” that he had been given the opportunity.
Hamilton was selected following performances at the Sheilah Winn regional Shakespeare festival on March 17 and national festival on June 3.
He and fellow Cambridge High student Jesse Tweddle performed a five-minute scene from Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and jointly collecting an award for the strongest and most truthful performance between two actors.
Judge Gabrielle Moleta said the pair stood out because “when they began, we knew they were in the middle of something”.
“There was a history already there – previous circumstances – a whole world of something that had gone on before,” she said. “There was a palpable danger in the air between them – in an exciting way.”
Hamilton won a second award for his outstanding delivery of text in his portrayal of Angelo, who offers to spare a man’s life in exchange for a beautiful woman’s virginity.
His efforts were also noticed by an agent, who he is now in discussions with, potentially opening the door to paid work in film, television and theatre.
“This whole thing has already led to so much development of me,” said the year 13 student, who is determined to pursue a professional acting career.
“I have all my cards on being an actor; that is what I want from my life.”
He is hoping to attend New Zealand Drama School Toi Whakaari in Wellington next year.
“It’s quite rare for people to get in in their first year out of high school; from what I’ve heard they normally prefer people with life experience,” he said.
“You never know what they’re looking for each year, but I’m hoping that this will help me a considerable amount in getting my application through.”
Hamilton discovered drama in year 6 after signing up for lessons at Leamington School and first hit the stage as Pinocchio in Cambridge Middle School’s production of Shrek Junior.
“There’s something to be said about being another person, but in a way that helps you explore yourself,” he said.
“You have to pull on so much of your own experience, so much of your own emotion, for anything to work.”
He has been in 10 community theatre productions since 2019, many with Riverlea Theatre groups Hamilton Musical Theatre and Hamilton Playbox. Recent roles included Bobby C in Saturday Night Fever and the photographer in Calendar Girls, a comedy about women who pose nude for a calendar.
“That was a small role, but really fun,” he said.
Hamilton is now looking forward to heading to Wellington in September with 47 other year 12 and 13 drama students to take part in the week-long National Shakespeare Schools Production workshop.
He will be joined by fellow Karissa Wan from Hillcrest High School and River Keely Park from Hamilton Girls’ High School.
