Amanda Dawson
“I would say that the range of skills that you learn really prepare you for any line of work. At that time the internet was in its infancy so the type of jobs on offer were different. This made us resilient and resourceful. Work had to be studied in libraries, books read, research done without AI or YouTube.
There always seemed to be full days and it was hard work. But it was always creative, and this would spark that creativity in you. I used many of the lessons as a teacher when I left, and I continue to do so today. I may even have the make-up brushes that we bought for our classes…”
Tell us about your background
I was brought up in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire and I’m the eldest of three girls. No one else in the family had been in further education, and certainly not in the arts. I left school and did journalism for a while but the idea of doing drama was always there, and I left to pursue a HND in drama at Telford College.
During that time, I volunteered as a teaching assistant at Edinburgh Acting School and ran workshops. This led me to take on youth work, and I ran drama lessons for young children, teenagers, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and older people. My family were shocked that I gave up a stable career to do this, but it felt right, and I can honestly say that it felt like coming home.
What sparked your love of the arts?
I always loved performing and was a dancer for most of my childhood and teenage years. Drama wasn’t a subject at school, but when we did any, usually in English, I loved writing and performing. We rarely got to the theatre, so TV, books, and film were my ways of escaping.
When I did get to a theatre it was, to me, mind-blowing. I remember being insanely jealous of everyone. The actors, crew, directors, writers. Nothing else had made me want to be a part of this until then.
What was it like studying at RSAMD / in Glasgow?
It was a real eye opener for me. The process of applying and auditioning was intense, and I was in a world that I really knew little about. Everyone else seemed to have done so much in their drama journeys. I had, however, taught for a few years and been in the workplace, so I felt excited to do this new thing.
Glasgow is an amazing city. I look back and realise how lucky we were. The course offered such a variety of classes, and it really did build a strong foundation for the future. We took on theatre in school touring, full scale shows, directing, writing and teaching in the Junior school.
At that time, we did a day a week at Glasgow University, and I learned so much of my theoretical knowledge there. And the people. Eclectic and diverse. All ages. You learned to build a team and be a company very quickly.
How did your time at RSAMD prepare you for the world of work?
I would say that the range of skills that you learn really prepare you for any line of work. At that time the internet was in its infancy so the type of jobs on offer were different. This made us resilient and resourceful. Work had to be studied in libraries, books read, research done without AI or YouTube.
There always seemed to be full days and it was hard work. But it was always creative, and this would spark that creativity in you. I used many of the lessons as a teacher when I left, and I continue to do so today. I may even have the make-up brushes that we bought for our classes…
What have you been up to since you graduated?
I went to Jordanhill at the University of Strathclyde and completed my PGCE. By chance, I had the offer of a job in London and to sublet a flat. 28 years later I’m still in London. I’ve been teaching in secondary schools, colleges and SEND schools.
I currently run a department in a school in East London, but I am also a Principal Examiner for Eduqas, a Specialist Leader in Education, and a Teacher Leader for the PTI, running CPD for teachers. I think most of that is just fancy jargon for the fact that I am very old teacher…The thing is that drama can be such a wonderful teaching tool, and I honestly believe it is a vital part of a young person’s education.
What has been your most memorable moment from your career so far?
Everyday can be a challenge but in amongst those days I have seen so many glimmers. Kids finding themselves in lessons, performing on school stages or the West End, taking them to the theatre for the first time (joyous). Seeing your ex-students either smashing it as performers or still going to the theatre as adults.
What’s next for you?
A happy retirement where I can possibly go back to performing for the joy of it and pick up my stand-up comedy career (with an audience more forgiving than teenagers). Lots of theatre visits, and some sort of job where I can still train people in drama teaching.