We were overjoyed to welcome this incredible panel of artists and industry leaders to ArtsEd to celebrate International Women’s Day and discuss the issues facing women in film, tv and theatre today. The panel discussed life in the industry from several perspectives: performing, casting, writing and training, and the challenges, realities and opportunities for women working in theatre and musical theatre today.
Each of the panel generously shared a reading or song that meant something to them or had inspired them in their career. The panel discussion covered everything from the availability of great parts for women, navigating the industry, how to advocate for yourself and be your own superhero and what we want the future of the industry to look like.
Two of our Alumni (Cash Holland, BA Hons Acting graduate 2018 and Zoe Brough, Day School and Sixth Form) discussed how their training at ArtsEd prepared them for their acting careers and the training in theatre they have taken with them onto screen.
“On stage you have to believe it in your whole body and your eyes but on screen you have to feel it rather than project it. You have to aim for truth.” (Cash Holland).
“Artsed gave me a lot of self-confidence, the school really rooted for you. I left with a lot of energy and passion. ArtsEd gave me the self-confidence to just go out there and take the bull by the horns. It gave me believability in my conviction and intuition, self-worth and the ability to not go on set feeling like an imposter.” (Zoe Brough, Day School and Sixth Form alumni).
Second year acting student Luana Santos had the opportunity to share the stage and be part of the discussion, talking about her role as a Student Union Diversity Officer and what she would like to see Drama Schools do more of to support women in their training and trajectory into industry.
“As a student, being on a panel with such inspiring and wise women was an amazing opportunity. I feel very lucky to be involved with an open conversation about the issues of women globally but also celebrating our achievements and strength.
Something that really stuck with me was how the writer of Outrageous, Sarah Williams, spent 20 years pushing for it to be taken into production. The determination, passion and commitment really resonated with me and inspired me to always fight for whatever I believe and take pride in.” Luana Santos (Second year BA Acting)
“It was truly inspirational to meet those amazing alumnae. I was so thrilled to see their poise, confidence, and the brilliant performance each of them gave.” ArtsEd Friend
“Conversations like this are so important because the panel represents the future of the industry across a wide range of careers including performers, writers, creatives, collaborators. These are the individuals who will shape the stories we see on stage and on our screens. It was wonderful to host an incredible panel of women involved in the creative industries, speaking so honestly and truthfully about navigating their careers, from working with all female creative teams, telling the stories of underrepresented women, availability of good roles for women over 40 and the importance of having dignity at work. I really look forward to continuing these important conversations and looking at ways to further support women going into the industry.”
Professor Louise Jackson, Principal, ArtsEd
