Lena, Year 7, who is part of the Northgate News, spoke to Miss Martinez, who joined Northgate last term. Miss Martinez teaches in the Drama Department and is currently working with a number of our students, putting together the production for this year! Find out what she had to say in response to Lena’s questions below.
Have you always wanted to be a drama teacher?
Yes and no. I think I always knew I wanted to do something with theatre and I think for a very long time I thought that meant being an actor. But, when I was doing my undergrad at Drama School I had various experiences where I was working with young people and seeing them access the thing that I loved and seeing it give so much to them I realised that actually it was so much more rewarding than me getting gratification by being an actor on stage.
Why did you become a teacher?
Same as the previous question but also whilst at Drama School I got really frustrated with how inaccessible theatre was for a lot of children and young people. Nearly everyone at these conservatoires were predominantly from the same background which then affects the entire industry; who’s a part of it and the type of work that gets made. I think everyone has a right to engage with theatre in this country because it’s a huge part of our cultural history. Every child should be entitled to a high quality Drama education to make theatre more accessible because it will only strengthen the industry, so I wanted to share that passion and be a part of that change.
Have you had other jobs apart from teaching?
Yes. My first job was working in a cafe in Cromer as a waitress and then my student job which I did for years was working at Tescos.
What GCSE options did you take?
Spanish, Drama, Geography, Economics (which I dropped) and Graphics. I wish I could have done Dance and Food and Nutrition.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to take GCSE drama?
Do it because I think it’s such a great subject where you don’t just sit behind a desk. You get to be playful and work on your performance and theatre making skills but I think it actually teaches you a lot of what you will need later in life, like confidence, the ability to work in a group, to manage your time, to create something out of nothing, to talk and share your ideas. I think it’s life skills whilst also being creative and expressive.
If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta!
How would you describe Northgate in 3 words?
Energetic, arduous but resolute.
What hobbies do you have in your spare time?
I love the theatre and going to the cinema. I love cooking, I love seeing my family and friends. I also love reading, swimming in the sea and travelling.
What has been your favourite play/show that you have put on with students in previous schools?
The last show that I did at my old school was called ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’. It was the first play that I did when I was in high school and that was a really nice full circle moment for me to put on a play that I had loved doing when I was younger to now directing it myself 10 years later as a drama teacher. That was very exciting and special.
Who is your favourite actor or actress?
I don’t have one really, there are so many I admire. I’ve been watching the series ‘Slow Horses’ recently and am in awe of Gary Oldman’s talent and craft – he’s had so many eclectic roles throughout his career.
Apart from drama, what was your favourite subject at school?
English and Geography, because I was good at English and loved my Geography teachers.
Which actress would play you in a movie about your life?
They’d have to be Latin American. Maybe Selena Gomez? I’ve never really thought about it.
Now for some quickfire questions:
Book or movie?
Both!
Sweet or savoury?
Both!
Wind or rain?
Neither
Christmas or birthday?
Birthday
Vacation or staycation?
Vacation
Script or ad-lib?
Ad-lib
Chocolate or crisps?
Crisps
A Drama or a documentary?
A Drama
iPhone or Android?
iPhone
Cats or dogs?
Dogs