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English and Drama

Alumni Profiles

Ellie Reece (BA Drama)

Why did you choose to study at Queen Mary?

I chose to study at Queen Mary for a number of different reasons. Its location is a huge ‘selling point’ particularly as I study Drama; being in London has been extremely advantageous to my studies and the wealth of different performance work that I have had the opportunity to see has undoubtedly enriched both my academic work and also me as a person.  I was impressed by Queen Mary’s facilities and when I attended the ‘Open Day’ the lecturers’ knowledge and enthusiasm of their area of expertise was evident. Queen Mary is currently ranked as the best university for Drama and Dance on the Guardian’s prestigious university league table with an overall score of 100/100. This was a very influential factor for me as my degree will be highly regarded within the industry that I ultimately want to work within and the university are constantly striving for the highest possible standards in order to maintain their fantastic reputation.        

What has been the highlight of your time at Queen Mary so far?

It is impossible for me to pinpoint one sole highlight of my time at Queen Mary. I have been able to easily visit places such as The National Theatre; attend cabaret shows; collaborate with professional arts organisations such as Cardboard Citizens; and continuously experience new and upcoming performance work. I have had some incredible nights out with my friends in Shoreditch, Covent Garden and Clapham. My modules have been engrossing and enjoyable, from establishing and running a hypothetical arts organisation in Managing Theatre, to delving into the history of one of our country’s most famous theatres in Performance and History. From start to finish, the past three years has been incredible, and an experience I would urge anyone to undertake.

How have you found life on campus?

Life on campus is a huge part of the ‘university experience’ and has really enhanced my time at Queen Mary. The atmosphere on campus is warm and friendly, with the other students always making you feel welcome. I made some great friends almost immediately and we take full advantage of the amenities on campus from attending a gym class together to having lunch in the Student Union ‘Drapers’.  The general atmosphere on campus is perfect to flourish in; there is the opportunity to engage in activities which promote fun and relaxation, but also services dedicated to supporting your studies and further learning.  Although leaving home and moving to University can be seen as a daunting prospect, I found that it really helped me to gain my independence and become my own person. With the help of the friends I have made, and the supportive yet liberating atmosphere on campus, I feel as though I have grown as a person and am more prepared for ‘the real world’.

What has surprised you most about your course?

I have been surprised most by the variety of different modules available on my Drama degree. The course allows exploration of the field through performance and theoretical based modules which encourage students to look at what drama is/does/looks like with as broad a mind set as possible. This diversity has demonstrated to me the multidisciplinary nature of the field and how it links and informs many other areas that I had not previously considered before studying drama at university, from the use of drama in the therapeutic field, to the study of drama as a societal barometer. We are encouraged to bring our own opinions and enquiries to the modules, and these can in turn shape the way that the group looks at a certain area, with students and lecturers working hand in hand to reach a further understanding.

Which of the modules that you've studied so far has been your favourite, and why?

In my last year I took a module called Applied Theatre which was definitely my favourite. As part of this module I was given the opportunity to undertake a placement working with an applied arts organisation. This experience was invaluable to me; it has given me a taste of just what it is like to work within this field; it has provided me with the opportunity to build connections within the industry which potentially will aid my progression into employment (something which I feel is particularly important in the current economic climate) and it has given me the chance to apply the skills and knowledge that I have gained during my time at Queen Mary into a real life work setting.  This opportunity confirmed to me why I chose to study Drama in such a vibrant city as London and just how enriching my time at Queen Mary has been.   

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