Clare Arts Prizes

The Duncan Robinson Art prize for general contribution to any aspect of practical or visual art in the College is awarded to Anna Piper-Thompson for her production of The Vagina Monologues in Clare Cellars, as part of the 25^th anniversary of the international V-Day movement. 

Congratulations on winning the Duncan Robinson Art Prize for your production of The Vagina Monologues.

Thank you! My name is Anna and I am finalist reading English. I feel really honoured and am very grateful to the committee for selecting this production to be awarded.

I directed a production of The Vagina Monologues, a play which I adapted for our production, which was shown on the 14^th February 2023 in Clare Cellars. A large number of the cast and crew were members of the college and I did a call-out for new student writing to be added to the play. 

 This show was put on as part of V-day, which is a global activist movement working to end gender-based violence whilst rasiing money for the charity of the same name. I am very pleased to say that through the sale of tickets, and the merchandise I designed (stickers, tote bags and posters), our one-night show raised over £600 for the charity.

I first read the play when I was 13. I remember it having a really profound effect on me at the time and it continues to be monumentally important to me in many ways. In my first year at Clare, I remember introducing the play to some of my friends in college, and we did a very informal reading of some of the pieces together, and then this year I re-read the play for the Tragedy paper I was taking for my course. It was then that I got the idea to stage a production of it, as part of the 25^th anniversary of the play. I hadn't ever directed a production before but have been highly involved in the university theatre scene across my undergrad, primarily in publicity design and set design (both skills I excitingly got to flex again here!), so I took a dive into putting this production on and learnt much along the way. I am incredibly grateful to the cast and crew who made the production what it was, and for the community we formed within the production process, both in rehearsals but also in the empowerment photoshoot we did, which was equally for the purposes of empowering the team and finding the power of the play within ourselves, as well as part of the marketing of the show.

Why did you choose to come to Clare College?

I chose Clare because, and this is perhaps a little embarrassing, I really like David Attenborough - particularly, I adored his tortoise special as a child - and I remember watching his tour of the college on YouTube when trying to decide on a college. My choice became further cemented when I came to visit on an open day and really loved the gardens, which was a big factor for me as I love to sit outside and paint flowers or read.

How do you juggle your additional activities such as this around your studying?

I have always loved participating in theatre, both onstage and offstage, and have several creative hobbies that I do in a less structured manner as well, so balancing them isn't really something I consciously thought about, as they've always been an important part of my life. Also, because I joined in with the theatre scene here in my first term at Cambridge it naturally became part of how I structured my time here. 

 What would you say to other young people thinking of coming to Clare?

I think I have gotten the best out of my time at Clare when I have been my most genuine self, so I would encourage those who are newly coming to the College to be true to themselves. I would also say channel your passions into what you do, and if you have a passion project (like this was for me), to utilise the supportive and creative community in College to build it into a reality.

Do you have plans for how you might spend the money awarded with this prize?

I haven't properly thought about that yet. However, as part of what I am going forward to do as a graduate I really want to develop an online shop where I can sell my art, so I will probably use some of the money to invest into getting that up-and-running.

The Richard Gooder Literary Prize for general contribution to literature in the College is awarded to Veterinary student Elisa Earle for creating a book club for Clare members, creating a space to discuss literature and encourage reading for pleasure alongside studying.

Congratulations on winning the Richard Gooder Literary Prize! Please share more about what you've been doing.

I started the book club this year as I’d always wanted to read more non-academic literature during term but could never find the time for it. Through talking to friends I realised I wasn’t the only one who felt like this, so I thought a book club could help.

Over the course of the year, we’ve read 3 books - one per term. The club met fortnightly to discuss the book and to watch its film adaptation at the end of term (ideal for those who didn’t get round to finishing it).

What has been the highlight of your year?

Graduation! Though it was bittersweet, it was lovely to have a day to celebrate the culmination of the past 3 years with my friends.

Why did you choose to come to Clare College?

It’s old, central and, most importantly, has a reputation for being friendly. Moreover, if it’s good enough for David Attenborough, it’s good enough for me!

How do you juggle additional activities such as the book club around your studying?

It can be challenging at times but I find that if you’re doing something you enjoy it becomes much easier to make time for it. 

What would you say to other young people thinking of coming to Clare?

Clare lives up to its friendly reputation - I’ve met so many amazing people here and have had access to great pastoral support. Also, you’ll get to use the new cafe which is a bonus.

Do you have plans for how you might spend the money awarded with this prize?

I’m excited to go to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer, especially as I have friends who are putting on plays. So, following through on the theme of the arts, I’ll be putting the money towards going to the festival.