Local teenager wins prestigious drama prize

Matravers School student, Millie Gmaj, has recently been awarded the ‘Mallory Prize’ by the Drama Committee of the Midsomerset Festival in Bath.  

Millie competed in the Classical Acting, Solo Acting, Repertoire and Musical Theatre categories.

Millie said, “When they called out my name I didn’t quite process they were talking about me. I feel very blessed to have a great number of people to believe in me this much – it’s really overwhelming. It never even crossed my mind that so much would happen when I entered the competition this year. It’s such an incredible experience and I am so thankful to everybody involved.

“I have been going to Stagecoach since I was five years-old and ever since that moment something just clicked. Performing is where I feel most comfortable, it’s like a whole other experience to anything else I’ve ever done.

“I love the whole idea of being someone you’re not. It’s almost an escape from your everyday life, so instead of just being Millie, I could be a character in Greek mythology! It’s so unspecific, and that’s what makes it so exciting.”

The Mallory Prize is sponsored by E P Mallory & Sons Ltd, Jewellers of Bath and enables a deserving student to further their drama studies by paying for additional training.

Millie is hoping to attend a summer school at Guildford School of Acting next summer. In the meantime, the festival has invited her to take part in the senior section Bath Young Actor of the Year event in October 2016.

Millie, who has also had successive first placings in senior categories at the Devizes Eisteddfod including ‘Most Inspirational Solo performance of 2016’ is hoping to pursue a career in musical theatre.