For students at Nord Anglia International School Manila, the stage is more than a place to perform — it’s where transformation happens.
Year 8 student Alexandra didn’t have any drama experience before joining NAIS Manila. “At the start of the year, I didn’t feel very confident in myself,” she said. “But over time, I got involved. I wrote my own script, I joined the drama team, and I started doing more activities. It’s been really rewarding.”
Drama has become a space where Alexandra can explore his creativity and express different parts of herself. “I feel like I can be a different person. I don’t always have to be myself. I can improvise, be creative — I have freedom in drama.”
From learning sign language in workshops with Epic Arts to rehearsing with peers from different nationalities, the Performing Arts Festival gave Alexandra more than just acting skills — it gave her a platform for connection and confidence.
“I think it’s a great activity to do, because I feel like I can really just be free,” she said. “I’d encourage anyone to try drama. Even if you’re shy or have stage fright, with a bit of practice, you can really grow.”
For Rio, music is the heartbeat of his school life. A talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, he finds joy in performing with the choir and being part of the band. “I think my favourite instrument is my voice. You don’t need to hold anything — you just use what you already have.”
Beyond the performance, it’s the people that make NAIS Manila special. “The thing I love most is the community,” said Rio. “Doing choir with my friends, being supported by my teachers — that makes all the difference.”
He’s also discovered a growing sense of purpose and responsibility. “I’ve learned that I can be more confident, more responsible. I try to help others if I can.”
Through Nord Anglia Education's Performing Arts Festival, which brought children together from three Nord Anglia schools in South East Asia, students like Alexander and Rio are not only gaining technical skills — they’re developing resilience, independence, and a strong sense of self. And with every note played and every scene performed, they’re learning how to take the stage in life, too..
