Over the spring half-term, Sidcot drama and art students headed to the Big Apple for an unforgettable adventure! From the buzz of Broadway and bright lights of Times Square to the rich artistry of The Met and vibrant culture of Brooklyn, students enjoyed five days of incredible experiences and inspiration. Read all about their New York City adventure here:
By Ebba Scherer, Director of Drama
What a trip! Drama students from Year 10 to Year 13 had the most incredible five days in New York City, packed with art, theatre, culture, and nonstop energy.
Staying right in Times Square was as exciting (and as chaotic!) as you’d expect. Stepping out each morning into the colour and buzz of Broadway was a bit overwhelming but in the best way possible. We kicked things off with an unforgettable view from the top of the Empire State Building, taking in the city from above before diving straight into the action.
Of course, food was a huge part of the adventure. We ate our way through burgers, fries, shrimp, and noodles at some iconic spots like Bubba Gump’s, Hard Rock Café, and Chinatown. But the clear favourite was Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where Broadway hopefuls serve your food while belting out musical theatre and pop classics. Singing along while eating? A definite highlight!
Exploring the city, we took a ride on the Staten Island Ferry — an amazing way to see the skyline, even in the fog, which made everything feel a bit more dramatic. But the real magic was, of course, in the theatres.
First up: Hamilton. As Lin-Manuel Miranda says, it truly was “America then, told by America now.” The mix of rap, hip-hop, and R&B completely captivated the students, and they were blown away by the energy and precision of the performances. Later, we saw Hadestown, a stunning retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth set during America’s Great Depression. With its mix of New Orleans jazz and contemporary folk, the music was absolutely breathtaking—everyone had their own favourite character by the end. Commenting on his experience, Jacob L, Year 10 Drama Lead Learner said:
One of my favourite things about New York was the atmosphere. It seemed like everywhere I went, there was always something going on. I remember in the Chelsea markets all the different food shops just showed how many different options there were and I think it really reflected the variety of things to do in New York. I loved watching Hadestown. All the actors had amazing voices and I was really blown away by their singing. I also was interested by their choice of having their live band on stage with the performers, but I think it was really effective with following the atmosphere of the performance. The views from the Empire State Building were amazing, and it was truly breathtaking to be able to see all across the city from every angle. Overall, my trip to New York was amazing, and I would love to go again in the future.
Just being in New York felt like its own kind of theatre. Whether it was wandering through Central Park or people-watching in Times Square, every street had something new to see. Every day was packed, and yet the students stayed full of energy and enthusiasm from start to finish. We are so proud of how they conducted themselves throughout the trip.
There were so many unforgettable moments, but two in particular stood out—our performance at Mary McDowell Friends School and the incredible Operation Mincemeat. Below, Lois and Dan, two Sixth Form Drama students recount these from their point of view!
Our trip to New York City was an unforgettable and incredible experience, especially because we got to go with our drama group, Hurly Burly, to perform Alice in Wonderland. We started rehearsals four weeks before the trip, with just one two-hour session per week, meaning we had to stay focused and active to put everything together in such a short time. It quickly became stressful, but it was absolutely worth it! Once Hurly Burly landed in New York, we decided we needed to find a rehearsal space before our performance at Mary McDowell Friends School. The only available option? Our hotel lobby—an unusual but necessary solution! We quickly got into the swing of things and found it both fun and productive, though perhaps a little too enthusiastic, as we ended up receiving noise complaints and had to finish the run-through by whispering our lines.
Each day in New York was jam-packed, with our drama group leaving the hotel at 8:30am to explore the city and not returning until around 10:30pm. However, Friday was the big day — performance day! We were up and out by 7:00am, costumes in hand, following Juleen, the drama teacher from Mary McDowell, to Brooklyn. Travelling there was really interesting; seeing the neighbourhood and the layout of the school felt so different from home. Once we arrived, we had two back-to-back, intense run-throughs, ensuring we knew the stage space, cues, and transitions. By the time the performance came, we felt fully prepared, and it went incredibly well! The students at Mary McDowell, who were a bit younger than us (around Grades 4 to 6, or Years 5 to 7 for us) seemed to really enjoy it. Afterwards, we got to do a Q&A session, where they asked great questions —things like how we learned our lines, how we handled stage fright, and how we prepared for our roles. We all shared insights from our rehearsals, including warm-up techniques such as closing our eyes and doing a gesture in character or using favourite lines to help us connect with the character’s mindset.
After an intense and busy morning, we were all very hungry. Thankfully, Juleen provided us with the biggest, most delicious burritos for lunch, which we enjoyed with some of the older students from Mary McDowell. They were so lovely and fascinating to talk to, mostly comparing our different lifestyles. After a much-needed sit-down, we headed to Brooklyn Pier, where the ocean and city skyline combined to create the most stunning, surreal, and inspiring view.
Performing as Hurly Burly not only pushed our skills as actors but also gave us the opportunity to meet new people and build friendships in which we'll always share the incredible memory of our trip to New York!
An unexpected opportunity for us Sixth Formers during the trip to New York City was the chance to watch the dress rehearsal performance of Operation Mincemeat – a West End production on its way to Broadway.
I was aware of this musical thanks to my personal connection to its story – my grandfather being one of the two central characters to the story. Operation Mincemeat was a mission during WW2 - its purpose? Misdirecting Nazi Germany from the Allied invasion of Sicily. The plan was for a dead body to be disguised as a British officer, carrying false plans to misdirect Nazi forces. The story of Charles Cholmondeley and Ewan Montagu’s daring espionage operation would, after the fact, be turned into various books, movies and documentaries, until it found its way into the West End theatre in 2023. The musical flips the story entirely on its head, turning a tense story of wartime espionage and subterfuge into a side-splittingly hilarious satirical musical bursting at the seams with wit, charm and creativity; it's no small wonder how quickly it gained a cult following with the growing crowd of “Mincefluencers”, some of which we got to meet in the theatre.
Getting to watch the dress rehearsal was certainly a highlight of the trip for many of us who got the opportunity, with it never losing its wit, pacing and deliciously dry British humour. Meeting the cast backstage was an unforgettable experience – like the Wizard of Oz’s curtain being lifted – giving a unique look at the workings of Broadway and a chance to learn more about the production experience rather than simply enjoying the performance itself. Getting to have our pictures taken with the cast and have these feature on their online promotional materials was truly a gift, making us feel like celebrities!
Sidcot Artists In The City!
By Matilda, Year 12 Art Scholar
Our recent trip to New York City was an incredible journey filled with art, culture, and unforgettable experiences. Over the course of five days, we explored some of the city's most iconic museums, historic landmarks, and vibrant neighbourhoods, immersing ourselves in the rich artistic and cultural landscape of NYC.
We began our adventure on Wednesday by settling into our hotel before heading to the Empire State Building, where we took in breathtaking views of the city skyline. The evening concluded with dinner at Bubba Gump’s in the heart of Times Square, where we took part in a Forest Gump quiz – some were lucky enough to win prizes from the generous staff.
Thursday was packed with artistic inspiration as we strolled through Central Park (even passing by the fountain from the TV show, Friends) and visited the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), home to some of the world's most famous works. Like most of the galleries, the art students gathered a myriad of different resources and artists to help with their projects. We also explored The International Centre of Photography, gaining insight into the power of visual storytelling, like the exhibition of a crime scene photographer, Weegee. To finish off the day, we separated into groups and went off to explore Chinatown and engage in some shopping before having dinner at Jing Fong restaurant.
On Friday, we ventured into Brooklyn for a Graffiti & Street Art Tour, where we had a brilliant guide who taught us all about the dynamic and ever-evolving world of urban art. Later, we explored MoMA PS1, a cutting-edge contemporary art space that inspired us all. Before leaving, however, we were given the chance to explore the Museum’s store and buy a few trinkets to take home. Following this, we took the Staten Island Ferry to pass by the Statue of Liberty (obviously taking a few photos) and then headed off to Harlem. To end the day, we enjoyed a memorable dinner at Sylvia’s, known for its incredible soul food and rich history.
Saturday brought us to two of the most renowned museums in the world—the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) and the Guggenheim Museum. From classical masterpieces like Claude Monet to modern architectural wonders, these museums displayed the depth and diversity of artistic expression, each one influencing people’s styles and creativity. In the evening, we took the metro back to the hotel before splitting into groups for dinner in downtown Manhattan.
Our final day in New York was a powerful and reflective experience. We visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum, honouring the lives lost and gaining a deeper understanding of the events that shaped their nation. For lunch, we wandered off to Chelsea Market, which offered an array of delicious foods from pancakes to burgers. Finally, we concluded our trip with a visit to the Whitney Museum, where we explored contemporary American art. On our train ride back to the hotel, we took photos and created small sketches to capture the daily life of urban America.
This trip was a truly enriching experience, filled with learning, creativity, and shared moments that will stay with us for years to come.
