A DRAMA student at Bradford College took to the stage in front of some of British theatre’s most influential figures yesterday at the annual meeting of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Ellen O’Keeffe, 16, was chosen to perform after standing out in a schools production of Julius Caesar at the Alhambra Theatre.

Ellen, who studies Level 3 Performing Arts, performed an excerpt from the play in front of the RSC board, which includes stage and television actor David Tennant.

She was offered the opportunity after impressing during an RSC schools project that saw youngsters from across Bradford work with professional directors to perform Julius Caesar.

Along with selected students from Samuel Lister Academy and St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College and other schools around the country, Ellen also performed in the RSC National Schools Festival performance at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Ellen,, of Bingley, said she was thrilled to perform at the theatre again.

She said: “I had such an amazing time performing the schools project so to just get the opportunity to perform there again was amazing, let alone in front of all the big wigs of the RSC.

“It is a brilliant chance for someone like me who is hoping to be an actor.

“Drama is my one huge passion and so it is always exciting to be around people who share that passion. The whole project with the RSC has been really valuable to me.”

Lisa Edwards, performing arts tutor at Bradford College, added: “Ellen is a talented student who has worked extremely hard in all aspects of the performing arts course, including extra curriculum activities.”