Girton Drama Student to Perform at Top Class


Daniel Chisholm is a talented young performer who is making waves in the theatre world. Recently, he received the exciting news that he has been selected to perform at Top Class, a prestigious event showcasing the best and brightest VCE performers in Victoria. What makes Daniel's achievement even more impressive is the fact that he completed his VCE Theatre Studies and Drama subjects at Girton Grammar School, despite being a student at Victory Christian College in Bendigo. Daniel's dedication to his craft and willingness to seek out additional resources has clearly paid off, and his success serves as an inspiration to other aspiring performers.

 

More below on this outstanding achievement in an article published in the Bendigo Advertiser on March 3.

Bendigo's Daniel Chisholm and Claudia Scott to perform at VCE Season of Excellence

 

By Jonathon Magrath

 

 

Daniel Chisholm and Claudia Scott were two of the top performance arts students in the state last year. Picture by Noni Hyett
Daniel Chisholm and Claudia Scott were two of the top performance arts students in the state last year. Picture by Noni Hyett

 

 

Two Bendigo teenagers will perform in Melbourne alongside the best theatre studies and drama students in the state.

 

Claudia Scott and Daniel Chisholm have been selected to feature in the VCE Season of Excellence Top Class Drama and Theatre Studies on March 15 to 17 at the Malthouse Theatre.

 

Top Class features performances by students who received outstanding grades for their 2022 VCE performance examinations.

 

Scott, 18, graduated from Catherine McAuley College, where she was the only drama student in her class.

 

She said for her final-year performance she chose to do a piece on Yuki-onna, a beautiful snow woman ghost known to kill travelers in the mountains.

 

In Scott's performance, the spirit looks for love.

 

"I actually picked the one that my drama teacher said she didn't want me to do," Scott said.

 

"Exploring that character, it's been really rewarding in the way that there's so many layers."

Daniel Chisholm studied Drama at Girton Grammar School. Picture by Noni Hyett
Daniel Chisholm studied Drama at Girton Grammar School. Picture by Noni Hyett

 

Chisholm, 18, studied Theatre Studies at Girton Grammar School and chose a monologue from the stage production of The Talented Mr Ripley, portraying the titular character as he gets caught out for his murders and identity thefts.

 

Chisholm said he also enjoyed exploring the character's identity and portraying emotions of anger, fear and stress.

 

The two will perform alongside students from schools in Melbourne, such as the Victorian College of the Arts.

 

Chisholm said being named in the top performance arts students in the state silenced his doubts and increased his confidence.

 

"I always have doubts of my talent and my parents, teachers and peers around Bendigo have been saying, you're good, you're good, but then sometimes I think 'oh, maybe I'm not'; you don't get the roles you want sometimes," he said.

 

"But having this kind of sense of a top mark around the state, from probably hundreds and thousands of other students, it gives you that sense that you are talented and it definitely inspires you to keep pushing on in the arts.

 

"It's definitely an achievement that both Claudia and I should be proud of."