Award-winning playwright Gareth Farr teaches all three year groups on the Acting BA course at ArtsEd, directs creative projects and co-ordinates visiting staff and industry professionals. He has also found time to write The Quiet House, following on from his Bruntwood Prize-winning debut, Britannia Waves the Rules which premiered at the Royal Exchange Manchester in 2014.  

The Quiet House receives its world premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Thursday 26 May, directed by Tessa Walker, followed by a five-week run at the Park Theatre, London.

“It’s passing on your thoughts, your personality, a part of yourself, your DNA.  If we don’t do that what are we? We’re just dust.”

Jess and Dylan are in love. They want a family. That’s all they have ever wanted.

This ordinary couple find themselves on an extraordinary journey when they put their faith in science and their relationship through the ultimate test.

The Quiet House was initially inspired by Gareth and his wife, Gabby’s own experience:

“I wrote it on the back of four years of fertility treatment during which I became interested in writing about something which people – particularly men – just weren’t talking about. This play is about hope. It’s about anyone who has focused so fiercely on the notion of hope, and clung to it so tightly, that it either breaks or it hardens and becomes a tangible thing.” Gareth Farr

ArtsEd would like to wish Gareth, the cast and creative teams the best of luck for the production.

The Quiet House

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EP
26 May – 4 June
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, London N4 3JP
7 June – 11 July
www.parktheatre.co.uk

Day School and Sixth Form alumnus Sam won the Schubert scholarship two years ago to attend the world famous American Academy of Dramatic Art. He was the first pupil to ever achieve 100% in his audition, as a result he was awarded the first ever Schubert Scholarship which covered all of his tuition fees at AADA in New York.

Sam, who is now nearly 20, graduated last week and along with his degree he scooped the top award, The Charles Jehlinger from AADA.

Previous winners of the Charles Jehlinger award include Robert Redford, Spencer Tracey, Kim Cattrall, Paul Rudd, Anne Hathaway.

The award is given to the student who developed most: “as a person as well as an artist’ and “who displays a profession attitude towards the art”.

Sam has enjoyed his experience in America, gained enormously as a person and an actor from leaving home and travelling to New York. Sam was overwhelmed to have received the Charles Jehlinger award, which came as a bolt out of the blue, saying “I’m so proud and delighted to have been awarded this, especially as some of the greatest names in the industry have received this ahead of me, and I am going to use this to spur me on in their footsteps.”

The award has already open doors for potential plays on Broadway this Summer, meanwhile, Sam is due back in London in May, as he is currently auditioning for various top Drama schools in London, and will be looking for an Agent in the UK.

AADA Director of Instruction, Constantine Scopas, said “Sam is a consummate professional already, I am anxious to see what heights he climbs to once out of the Academy.”

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts was founded in 1884 as the first conservatoire for actors in the English speaking world.  Charles Jehlinger was one of the first graduates, and went on to teach stars such as Edward G Robinson, Rosalind Russel, Grace Kelly, Jason Robards and Kirk Douglas.

The memory of Charles Jehlinger, as Director of Instruction for over 50 years, is honoured by AADA and accredited with the following quote, being the basis upon which the award is relevant to the Academy and its teachings.

“The art of acting is without limits. You need to understand all of human nature, the sense of beauty of the artist and the poet, the sense of rhythm of the dancer and musician, the mentality of a philosopher and scientist. It is the universal art.” – Charles Jehlinger

The Independent Schools Association (ISA) Drama Festival is an established Drama competition with a national profile. Schools from across the country take part in performances over three days in March, competing for awards that recognise a range of theatrical skills including acting, innovation, costume and professionalism.

Arts Educational are delighted to announce that our Year 10 drama students were awarded The Thorpe Hall Prize for their performance of ‘Conkers’ written and directed by Steven Pleasants. The award was given for the best ensemble production showing exceptional professionalism and innovation which is a great testament to the students’ creativity and team work.

The piece explored the issue of teen crime inspired by a true story of an elderly woman, tragically attacked and hospitalised by three youths. The play asks us to question our decisions and is poetically presented through the sad demise of a once glorious conker tree. 

Drama Teacher Steven Pleasants praised the cast: “The students were given the unique opportunity to originate these roles, as well as approach a very sensitive topic that they felt was important to them. Their professionalism on the day of performance was exemplary and has been duly noted with this outstanding award.”

This year’s Sport Relief was bigger than ever with the current total standing at a staggering £56,984,007.

The Day School pupils and staff did their bit raising money to support Sport Relief projects in the UK and in the world’s poorest communities.

Students enjoyed wearing their favourite sports kit to school, holding a bake and taking part in a sponsored 8km run.

At lunch time there was fierce competition as staff took on students on the netball court and football pitch.

Well done to everyone who took part, an impressive £605.25 was raised!

Our audition days are a chance to learn more about what life is like at ArtsEd and meet some of our students and staff. All applicants take part in a drama workshop, a group interview as well as subject specific audition components. You can find out more about the audition requirements here.

Our excellent performing arts offering of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre is supported by a strong education in a wide range of subjects including Production Arts, French, Music Technology, Art, History, English Literature and Media Studies to name but a few. This gives you the choice to pursue vocational training, university study or enter employment upon leaving Sixth Form.

You can see further details of our course options and leavers' destinations on the Sixth Form pages.

So what next?

Complete and submit the application form by Friday 22 April to secure your audition place.

Please contact Rosalie Jones if you have any questions or would like to discuss anything: pupils@artsed.co.uk / 020 8987 6600

Written by Ella Bleakley (Year 9)

On Wednesday 2nd of March, Gilska Weerakkody (Year 11) and I took part in Voice In A Million (VIAM) at Wembley Arena. We performed in front of 12,000 people, which is by far the best thing either of us had ever done. VIAM is a show put on each year to bring children around the UK together.

We were there because Gilska and I are members of a group called Song Academy and the founders of VIAM asked our eleven members to write and perform a song especially for the event.

Building up to our performance, we met as a group every Sunday to work on our recording. Together, we performed the song ‘Right To Be Loved’, it is about children waiting and hoping for fostering or adoption. We also made a music video to go with the song.

We are aiming to raise awareness of the large number of vulnerable children in care and the difference that adoption and fostering makes in the world. Please help us get on the radio & buy 'Right To Be Loved' for 99p on iTunes if you can.

We have been invited back next year to perform the same song – and I can’t wait!

ArtsEd was delighted to welcome Tiger Class from Holy Trinity C of E School London to watch the dress rehearsal of Beauty and the Beast. The annual school visit is much anticipated but cast and creatives come under close scrutiny. There’s no pulling wool over primary eyes!

‘When we got to the theatre, we all couldn’t wait for the show to start… the excitement rose as we entered the room.’ (Apeksha)

‘Just at that very moment as I entered the door I knew that I was going to have a good time.’ (Dashaan)

Henry was ‘blown away’ by the performance and all the cast were perfect, but he thought Jak Skelly could have been a 'more scary' beast, but overall it was a good performance.  Teijah could only give it 4½ out of 5 ‘because when the wolves were off (on?) stage they scared me’. Jonathan was also in two minds: 'I was really scared when wolves came past our seats. That was so cool!’ While Tamsin ‘almost jumped out of her skin’ – ‘I looked beside me and there was a wolf!’

Esther loved the ‘superb’ dancing and ‘just wanted to jump up on stage and have a good time'. While Miriam loved all the effects: ‘I give the setting and everything a thumbs up, 5 stars – keep up with your good work.’ Jay also awarded the show five stars: at the start he thought it was going to be good, but by the end he’d upgraded it to ‘Amazing!!!’ Simona rated it 5 out of 5, 10 out of 10 and gave it 2 thumbs up.

Shania was swept away by Jennifer Louise Jones and Kirsty Ingram and loved the theatre, which was like ‘entering wonderland’. ‘The bit that I didn’t like was… Nothing. The bit what I liked was all of it because nothing about it was bad.’ She gave it 100 out of 100.

Nia loved Tom Jackson Greaves’ choreography and when the girls were dancing on the tables, while Candice thought all the dancers were talented and Daniella appreciated how much time they all took ‘to practice the act so that it would be good for us’. BaBatunde thought the lights were 'so bright and beautiful' and the drama ‘intense and hilarious’.

Monika summed up her review with ‘Everything was perfect’ and Rylei would definitely go to the theatre again – ‘Well done to all the actors and everyone else. And the ensemble.’ It was a thumbs up for Joel too: ‘I would recommend it to a friend. I would not change anything.’

And finally, from Tai-Millan:

'I wish I could meet them in person and if I could dance on the stage I would.’

We look forward to seeing you again next year and thanks for all your reviews!

Written by Christopher Reynolds (Director of ArtsEd Youth Dance Company)

On Sunday 13 March 2016, AEYDC performed as part of The RichDance Festival at The Hammond Theatre in Hampton. RichDance is Richmond’s annual dance festival that has over 35 performances from emerging dance artists, youth companies and school dance groups from Richmond and beyond.

This is the second time ArtsEd Youth Dance Company has performed at this prestigious event and yet again it was a fantastic day. The company performed the new piece ‘Chapter II’ which also featured in the School’s Dance Show.

I am incredibly proud of the students’ maturity, dedication and commitment to their performance, especially at such a busy time of the year for the Dance Department. Well done to you all and I look forward to what next term brings for AEYDC…watch this space!

Image: Callie Cooke in Harvest, ArtsEd 2014

Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, Firebird has transferred to the West End starring 2015 BA Acting graduate Callie Cooke. Phil Davies’ debut play is a searing new thriller about how the naivety of youth is open to exploitation and is directed by Hampstead’s Artistic Director Edward Hall.

Critics have given Firebird four and five star reviews this week, with high praise for leading actress Callie. Here are some of their comments:

Holly Williams, The Independent: In just-outta-drama-school Callie Cooke, he’s (Phil Davies) found a young actress who can scorch through this harrowing material. 

Lettie Mckie, Londonist: An outstanding lead performance from newcomer Callie Cooke. Cooke is staggeringly good – yes, this is her first professional role – but moreover it’s rare to see an actor lose themselves in a character so entirely. 

Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus: It’s Callie Cooke’s central performance as Tia that’s fundamental to drawing the audience in. It’s remarkably mature, especially considering that this is Cooke’s debut theatre role…undoubtedly Cooke is one to watch. 

Lauren Mooney, The Stage: Callie Cooke gives a remarkable central performance as Tia. Cooke’s pitch-perfect reactions make it clear that a little kindness goes a long way. 

Madelaine Bowman, The Reviews Hub: Cooke’s portrayal of Tia is particularly powerful, bringing Davies’ script to life with all the vibrancy, energy and psychological anguish that you’d expect to see in a messed up teenager. 

Firebird runs until 19th March at Trafalgar Studios 2.

ArtsEd BA Acting student Rachel Nwokoro was crowned the 21st UK SLAM! Champion on Saturday 4 February at the Courtyard Theatre in Hoxton. Competing against fourteen other spoken word artists, Rachel won first place with her piece ‘Proud to Be’ and now holds the longest running national slam title in Europe. She will go on to represent the UK at the World Cup of SLAM! in Paris in May 2016.

Judges included Jade Anouka, Abe Gibson, Katie Haworth, Simon Lawrence and Fanny Walker and runners up were John Wheeler and Toby Campion.

Rachel was delighted with her success:

Winning the SLAM! Championship was an overwhelming experience. I knew that I would be competing against the strongest performance poets in the UK and so I was just glad to be performing on the same stage. I had to prepare three poems and it was all incredibly tense when I made it to the third round. It was also quite emotional as my winning piece, ‘Proud to Be’, was first performed in my first-year storytelling project at ArtsEd. To have the opportunity to represent the UK at the World SLAM! Championship in Paris is incredible. I'm grateful to Juma Sharkah, who graduated last year and acted as my mentor, for being in the front row when I won and to ArtsEd and Jane Harrison for supporting my outside pursuits.

For more details and to hear Rachel perform her work go to:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPJOJtUJUouc1wYwtcMJq_w

www.facebook.com/RayNwoks