Talented Anna's love of drama wins top honours

Anna Threadgill was born for the theatre.

The 17-year-old John Paul College student picked up the prestigious Rotorua Performer of the Year award at the 67th Rotorua Competitions Society Speech and Drama Competitions.

The three-day event, which began on Saturday, attracted 206 competitors, aged between 6-18, at the Rotorua Convention Centre.

Competitors were split into age groups and took part in competitions, such as prepared readings, poems, impromptu speeches and plays.

Anna, who took part in the Rotorua Performer of the Year open-age section on Saturday night, said she was thrilled to win the top award.

She said her favourite part of the competition was acting.

"I think it is fun just to pretend you are someone else," she said. "I remember when I was on stage on Saturday night I forgot about everyone that was there and focused on just being a different person."

To win the section she had to read a poem, perform like her chosen character, do a speech from a story, and complete a two-minute impromptu speech.

She said it was a good competition for building confidence on stage and this was her seventh year taking part in the event.

"Getting up on stage with an audience gives you a lot of confidence in yourself and your abilities."

Anna will take part in the national finals of the Speech and Drama Competitions later this year in Invercargill.

A prizegiving for the Rotorua event is tonight at the Convention Centre, with the top three placings for each section winning a certificate and some money.