Year 13 drama student, Issac Morrison, recently had the amazing opportunity to attend the National Youth Drama School (NYDS) in Hawke's Bay, and what a week it turned out to be. Here he gives us a run down on his awesome experiences over the holidays.
Day one started with a huge gap in my sleep schedule; I had to get up at 4:00 AM to catch a 6:00 AM flight. After flying from Dunedin to Christchurch, then on to Hastings, I was picked up and taken to the school. That’s where I met around 200 other students from all over New Zealand. After registering, we headed to the hostel and were officially welcomed to the course. It was already starting to feel pretty exciting, despite the lack of sleep.
The Comedy Journey Begins
Day two kicked off my stand-up comedy “career.” I was up early for breakfast and then went straight into a full-on day of comedy classes. It was a massive day of learning, laughing, and trying to be funny on purpose. A lot of people don’t realize it, but it’s actually harder than it sounds! That evening we had something very unexpected: wrestling. Every night was special in its own way to me, but wrestling was a gateway that opened up to show us what type of excitement we would see that week. It was the true beginning of the adventure.
Day three consisted of comedy in the morning and improv in the afternoon. Improv was a real highlight—thinking on the spot and just going with it. That night was the clowning show, which ended up being my favorite night of all. I learned so much and laughed the entire time. It was the most memorable night of them all, as I got closer and closer with my friends.
Finding My Rhythm
Day four was another full day of stand-up comedy, and honestly, it makes my day every day. That night was one of the times we had free time. I got to hang out and make more friends; the people I met were so special to me. They were truly what made this experience so amazing. Day five followed the same routine: stand-up followed by improv after lunch. By this point, I was really getting into it and having a blast. That evening was Tutors' Night, where we watched a range of performances with so much talent. It was a really fun night.
Day six kept the momentum going with more comedy during the day, followed by dinner out with my new friends. Good food, lots of laughs, and great company. Day seven was another big day of stand-up, followed by Students' Night, where we got to watch other students perform. It was awesome seeing what everyone had been working on.
The Big Finale
Day eight was the day before the big performance. It was a normal day with no night event. I got to have dinner with my friends one last time; it was such a fun time and I loved it. I wish that moment could have lasted so much longer. These friends I’ve made have a place in my heart and will stay there forever.
Day nine brought a bit of drama - not just on stage, but in the weather, too. I was so scared and nervous, but the excitement pushed me through. When I stepped on stage, I didn’t expect to get so much support. I heard my friends screaming my name and cheering me on. It was such a blast - great laughs, a great crowd, and I loved every minute of it. I was pretty gutted knowing it was all coming to an end.
The Unexpected Detour
Just when I thought the adventure was over, the weather had other plans. My flight home on Sunday was cancelled, so I ended up staying a couple of extra nights. Instead of a simple trip home, I went on a bonus tour:
Hastings to Auckland
Auckland to Christchurch
Finally back to Dunedin on Wednesday
Not exactly the quick trip I planned, but definitely memorable! Overall, NYDS was an incredible experience. I learned so much, made great friends, and had an absolute blast. It’s something I’ll never forget—and who knows, this might just be the start of my comedy career!
I urge you all to give it a go in the future... It might be life changing!
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