She was one of only 28 public school and TAFE teachers across the State to receive a 2008 NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarship.

The scholarship, worth approximately $15,000, will see her visiting schools and theatre companies across North America and Vancouver, Canada.

The five week study tour will include a stint observing a theatre company in Vancouver develop new productions.

She will also visit the University of California to discuss Russian theatre, in particular Vsevolod Meyerhold and Konstantin Stanislavski, with academics and specialists.

These two theatre practitioners feature in the year 11 and 12 drama syllabus.

“I also want to increase my ability to teach on a practical level because drama’s a practical subject. I’d like to meet with experts in the field to develop my ability to teach it in an experiential way,” she says.

More than 200 teachers applied for the scholarships and Michael Coutts-Trotter, director-general and a selection panel chair, says this year’s applicants were of the highest standard.

“The Premier’s Teachers Scholarships give public school teachers a wonderful opportunity to enrich their own learning and establish professional and personal networks of great long-term value, certainly to them but also to colleagues and students throughout public education.”

Thirteen different organisations have supported the scholarships. The official title of Marion’s scholarship is the Premier’s ABN AMRO Creative Arts scholarship.

“It’s a huge opportunity to develop professionally at a very high level,” she said.

Marion will embark on her study tour in January next 2009.