Amelia Wins Best Supporting Actress at National School Theatre Awards

King’s is celebrating after talented young performer, Amelia W, was nationally recognised as Best Supporting Actress for her outstanding performance in the school’s production of ‘White Christmas’.

For many aspiring performers, standing in the spotlight, centre stage in a West End theatre, receiving the acclaim of a full house, is the stuff of dreams. For Amelia, that dream became a reality on Monday night.

The 2025 National School Theatre Awards (NSTA), affectionately known as ‘the Oscars for schools’,  took place at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London on 23rd June. The theatre was packed with students, teachers and industry professionals celebrating the best that school theatre has to offer nationwide.

Following the glowing review from an NSTA representative in December, it was unsurprising that King’s was nominated for Best Musical for our production of White Christmas,  along with nominations for Bella C, Best Actress in a Musical, and Eric D, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. It was Amelia W, nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her role as Martha in White Christmas, who had clearly stolen the hearts of the judges. It was she who scooped the national accolade and received her very well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Amelia’s performance in White Christmas had been electrifying, particularly her showstopping rendition of “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy”. It was a performance that belied her young age – something the NSTA reviewer had noted – as Amelia is only in Upper Remove.

Amelia’s exceptional, scene-stealing performance as Martha was described in the NSTA review as “a performance that would not have been out of place on a professional stage.”

Only a couple of years ago, she was exactly where our amazing cast and crew of this week’s The Phantom Tollbooth now are – playing Mrs Hawkins in our Lower Years production of Treasure Island in the JMT. This bodes very well for her future performance aspirations!

On her achievement, Amelia said: “White Christmas was so much fun, I loved my character and the cast bonded really well. I didn’t expect to win, but when my  name was announced it was so exciting! Going up on stage felt like a dream.”

It should never be forgotten that the arts are a collaborative effort. Amelia was supported by a superb ensemble in White Christmas, who treated audiences to a spellbinding production.

When we have such exceptional talent as we do here at King’s, it is fantastic to have that recognised on the national stage. Congratulations, Amelia, this is a richly deserved accolade. Enjoy the limelight!

Amelia’s award-winning performance