Rona Johnston recognised the value of our comprehensive BA (Hons) Drama course from the outset, and her decision to study at QMU was firmly reinforced by a highly positive Open Day experience, where she witnessed the university's warmth and the beauty of our campus firsthand. Throughout her studies, the close-knit community, the lecturers' genuine investment in student success, and the numerous opportunities provided by the University made her time at QMU both enjoyable and invaluable. One standout opportunity was developing the theatre piece "Mary: A Gig Theatre Show" as part of the Student-Initiated Module (SIM). This project is now heading to the Edinburgh Fringe with support from the Vice-Chancellor & Student Development Fund.
Why did you choose to study at QMU and what attracted you to the course?
I was first attracted to QMU because of its comprehensive drama course - there are limited options in terms of studying drama in Scotland to begin with, so this course sounded like a fantastic opportunity to learn different aspects of theatre, while also being able to specialise in what most interested me after the first couple years. I also had my best open day experience by far at QMU, as everyone was very lovely and the campus was beautiful. I liked that the accommodation was on-campus, it was a supportive first stepping stone into moving away from home.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
It was a very supportive environment, the lecturers put a lot of work in to ensure that we were getting the most we could out of the course. I think because it’s such a small university, there’s really a sense of closeness between students and staff, as they know who you are and remember what interests you.
I also enjoyed the freedom to explore that we were given in third and fourth year. Being trusted to produce pieces of theatre with our peers and take on theatre roles that we were interested in was very valuable.
Were there any particular course activities you found especially interesting?
I really enjoyed the work I did in the Student-Initiated Module (SIM), which I took in fourth year. I thought it was a great module to take alongside doing my dissertation, as I could mould it around the time I had and guarantee that I enjoyed the work I did. I did this module with a fellow student, Katie Slater, and together we wrote a short gig theatre piece about Mary, Queen of Scots.
"The piece developed over the past couple years into ‘Mary: A Gig Theatre Show’, a 45-minute long performance with a full band and original songs. We’re taking it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year, which is incredibly exciting, so we’re both very grateful for the work we were able to do in SIM."
As well as SIM, the final projects we did in third and fourth year, in which we formed groups and created a piece of theatre together, were definitely a highlight. It was great preparation for the real world of theatre, a little taste of the kind of environment we were hoping to join when we graduated.
How did your lecturers support your learning?
It was always made clear that we could contact them if we needed support, and as I’ve said there was a real sense of community with the course being relatively small. They asked questions and seemed genuinely interested in our work, it was very encouraging.
Do you have any advice for students who might be interested in this course?
Go for it! It’s a lovely place with lots to do and there are some gorgeous places to go around campus in your spare time. The lecturers are fantastic, they give you great advice for your future and support your journey as a student. Most importantly, the course is really well-rounded and allows you room to discover what it is you want to do in the theatre world.
Did you win any awards or scholarship that helped you develop skills and experience?
"QMU has provided funding, through The Vice-Chancellor's & Student Development Fund, for two projects I’ve been in since graduating. We were so grateful for it, and it was a big confidence boost as it felt like they believed in us to create something worthwhile."
We used the funding towards Edinburgh Fringe productions, which is almost a rite of passage for up-and-coming theatre makers in Edinburgh - we learned so much about the ins and outs of putting on a show in such a fast-paced environment, it was an incredibly valuable experience for all of us.
Did you attend an online or in person Open Day/Offer Holder day before coming to QMU?
The Open Day I attended was honestly what sold me on coming to QMU. As I’ve said, it was a really nice event and it highlighted all the positive features of the university.
What’s your ‘top tip’ for making the most of being a student?
Everyone says it, but join clubs and go to events! At QMU, there are always events going on in Maggie’s and different societies running every night, so you’re not short on things to do. Use the facilities given to you, the library is fantastic and there are lots of study rooms you can use if you want a focused environment to work in. Also, use your student discount as much as you can!
What was the most valuable lesson that you learned at university?
You need to take the initiative and stay on top of things - it’s very easy to become overwhelmed if you don’t manage your time. The lecturers are a great support system, but they also don’t hold your hand through the process, you’ve got to put the work in, and it’s absolutely worth it.
Can you tell us about your life post-graduation
Thanks to the QMU music society, I had lots of opportunities to perform in Edinburgh venues throughout my time at university, and this really helped build my confidence as a musician. Now, I’ve had gigs in places like Sneaky Pete’s and The Caves, and I feel really at home performing my music.
For the Fringe last year, my friends and I put on the show we developed during our final year Performance Practises module and had a brilliant time - without the facilities given to us by QMU, we couldn’t have done this. As I’ve mentioned earlier, this year Katie Slater and I are bringing ‘Mary: A Gig Theatre Show’ to the Fringe, after performing it multiple times over the past year. It’s on from the 12th-17th August with theSpaceUK at 22:25 - we’d love if you could come along! We have big plans to take that show further and, again, we couldn’t have turned it into what it is today without QMU.
