Name: Daniel
Location: Hong Kong
Examiner panel: Drama
Daniel is an actor, teacher, writer, and member of Trinity’s Drama Examiner panel. He talked to us about his work as a Trinity examiner and his varied professional life.
Daniel studied Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London. After graduating, wanting to travel and explore, Daniel decided to spend some time living and working in Hong Kong.
“I came out to Hong Kong and started teaching drama, initially to secondary school students, but also to primary school and some kindergarten students. What was originally a short stint out here has now become 18 years - I fell in love with teaching drama basically!”
From teacher to examiner
Daniel’s interest in different areas of academia has led to a varied career in Hong Kong, including running workshops on teacher training, working as a course lecturer at a university, and in more recent years working as an examiner on Trinity’s drama panel.
He has also studied for an MA in applied linguistics and written a collection of short stories due to be published in 2024. We asked Daniel what he enjoyed about his work as an examiner in particular.
“What's really wonderful to see is how impressive candidates are in their willingness to present what they've done, and make it feel like really you are experiencing a performance – really seeing something special.”
“It's really nice to go and see poetry readings, short text readings, speeches, speech and drama exams, and very often all in the same morning or afternoon!”
“When you are in the room with the candidate, it is a very supportive and flexible situation. Your goal as an examiner is to get the students to do the best they can, to really put them at ease. For young people in drama in particular that's vital - I think Trinity does that very well.”
A memorable performance
Daniel told us about a performance that has stood out for him over the years.
“The National Theatre came to Hong Kong on tour with a very funny, farcical play called One Man, Two Guvnors. It felt very organic - like we were experiencing something spontaneous and unrehearsed. It almost felt like stand-up comedy.”
“I think that's what good drama is – it might be the eighth time they've performed it that week, but it feels live and in-the-moment and natural. When you experience that, it’s really what theatre is.”
“Performers have to get used to the idea of things being different every time they do it and things happening that they don't expect.”
“It's a sense of playfulness that you want to have, where you feel comfortable enough to take risks and to do things differently - you get confidence by good practice, and by a genuine desire to entertain and invest in the character.”
“What's really wonderful to see is how impressive candidates are in their willingness to present what they've done, and make it feel like really you are experiencing a performance – really seeing something special.”