ArtsEd students were thrilled to perform at a star-studded Olivier Awards ceremony on Sunday 8 April at the Royal Albert Hall, broadcast live on ITV and hosted by Catherine Tate.

Principal Chris Hocking said:  “It was a real privilege to attend the Oliviers and to watch so many of our talented alumni perform in excerpts from current West End shows along with our current BA (Hons) Musical Theatre students, Year 7 pupils and pupils from our Weekend Classes.”

The London cast of Hamilton opened the 42nd annual Olivier Awards ceremony with a special performance of the show's opening number. ArtsEd alumnus Tarinn Callender, who graduated just last year, plays Hercules, a friend of Hamilton, and James Madison, another founding father.

“Keep your eyes on this one” says Whats On Stage – congratulations Tarinn!

Already making Olivier Awards history with 13 nominations, Hamilton stormed off with seven prizes – the most of any show – including best new musical and two best performances. Other nominees included ArtsEd alumna and Patron, Janie Dee, for 'Follies' at National Theatre, Olivier.

ArtsEd first and second year Musical Theatre students were proud to sing with American star Chita Rivera, performing West Side Story's 'Somewhere' to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the musical's debut in London. Rivera played the role of Anita in both the original Broadway and the London stagings of this classic by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents.

The 50th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber, ArtsEd President, and Tim Rice’s 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' was also celebrated. Past stars of the musical, including Jason Donovan, Lee Mead, Danielle Hope and Joe McElderry performed in the finale, alongside ArtsEd students and pupils.

The Oliviers 2018 were definitely a night to remember – share the story, share the success!

{image1} {image2}

ArtsEd are offering the incredible opportunity to win scholarships in a selection of part-time courses, in association with The Stage. We have six places at the Extra Skills Academy, six on the 2018 summer course, one place on the EXCELerate Musical Theatre course and another on the EXCELerate Acting course. The total value of each of these fantastic opportunities comes to around £13,000.

Extra Skills Academy

The Arts Ed Extra Skills Academy offers weekend opportunities for 4-16 year olds to learn and develop skills in the performing arts in a fun, vibrant and friendly environment. These young people get the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and showcase their talents to their parents. This is a truly rewarding experience for any young person who is passionate about performing, and YOU could be one of the lucky six to win a scholarship.

Summer Courses

Arts Ed’s summer courses are aimed at ages 4-16 and 16+, and are renowned for providing the very best performing arts training in the UK. We offer a range of programmes from Junior Drama Company and Putting on a Musical, to audition techniques for students aiming to further a career in the performing arts.

EXCELerate Courses

The Arts Ed Excelerate part-time courses focus on intensive skills in musical theatre and acting audition preparation for those aged 18 and above. These courses are delivered over two terms from September to March, three evenings a week. These courses aim to provide students with the skills and confidence to take them to the next step in their vocational training, or can act as a refresher for anyone who wishes to get into the industry, while allowing full time or part time work on the side.

Director of ArtsEd Extra, Jonathan Goodwin explains:

“The ArtsEd brand is very strong in itself, so to align ourselves with an organisation that has the same ethos is really important. The Stage supports young people in their development and promotes it. From our perspective, it’s about building reputations and concentrating on the individual. It’s about getting to know the young people and nurturing and encouraging talent. The small class sizes mean that we can develop their skills individually and move them forward better.”

Jonathan Goodwin stresses that we are not looking for star performances, but potential:

“For the auditions, if they are planning on joining the acting option, then we’ll want them to perform a monologue. We want to see some personality and that you have passion and enthusiasm. It’s not about delivering a finished product, however – we need to see the potential. We look at their story because we want to get to know them and how they think this course will help them to move forwards. From a musical theatre point of view, they may come and do a song and a short dance class. Again, it is only about potential. We call it an audition, but it’s really just a case of meeting us and showing us what you enjoy doing.”

TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS LISTED, PLEASE FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM AND SEND IT BACK TO:

J. Goodwin
Arts Educational Schools
Cone Ripman House
14 Bath Rd
Chiswick
London
W4 1LY

ArtsEd alumni are delighted to be taking part in a musical extravaganza at The Other Palace to celebrate the Orpheus Centre's 20th birthday. Recent ArtsEd graduates Alex Wheeler, Ben Stacey, Simon Bolland, Lauren Oakley, Georgie Westall, Sarah Day, Hampus Engstrand, Poppy Andrews, Siobhan Diffin and Benjamin Mundy will present present Sir Richard Stilgoe's 'Orpheus – The Mythical' alongside alumni and current students from this pioneering disabilities charity in a bid to highlight their work with young disabled adults who have a passion for the performing arts.

Sir Richard Stilgoe said, 'We are performing with Arts Educational because we do inclusive stuff and not disabled stuff; the whole purpose of Orpheus is to mix young disabled people up with the real world and not separate them. These are terrific and confident performers who concentrate on what they can do rather than what they can't. Orpheus changes young disabled people's lives. It changes the lives of the staff and the 98 volunteers who work with them. It changes the lives of everyone who attends one of their shows. It has changed my life immeasurably.'

{image1}

Sir Richard Stilgoe founded the Orpheus Trust in 1998 in his former family home in Surrey to inspire young disabled people to greater independence though performing arts experiences.

The Orpheus Centre offers a personalised study programme for students aged between 18 and 25 with learning or phyisical disbilities, with the focus on maximising lasting independece. Students can stay up to three years at the centre and learn

This witty musical comedy of a Greek tragedy follows Orpheus on an expedition hindered at every stage by bored, capricious gods and a dodgy satnav. Orpheus joins the heroic Argonauts in order to steal the legendary golden fleece. But on his return, his quest is not over. He has to descend to the Underworld to rescue his wife Eurydice from the depths of Hades. Guiding the narrative, the Greek Chorus will be played by Jane Asher, Rob Brydon, Bertie Carvel and more.

Fri 23 – Sat 31 Mar, 7:30pm (3pm Matinee on Sat 31 only)
Wed 28, Thu 29 and Fri 30 will be signed performances.

For more details and to book tickets go to https://www.theotherpalace.co.uk/

On Friday 2 March, ArtsEd became one of the five leading UK drama schools to partner with the Diversity School Initiative, delivering a three year commitment to address under representation and a lack of diversity in performing arts training.  

Diversity Schools, born in 2017 and led by co-founder, Steven Kavuma, aims to encourage and support drama schools in the improvement of diversity in every area of their work, including student and staff bodies and works studied.

Yusuf Khamisa, Equality, Inclusivity and Diversity Officer at ArtsEd, attended the Diversity School Initiative launch last Friday, along with current BA students, Georgina Onuorah and Michael Workeye. Here’s what he had to say about the event:

“The Diversity School Initiative represents everything we believe in when it comes to young people – a Grass roots movement that speaks the voice of those who demand change. Diversity is no longer a buzz word, it’s a reality. Real change is on the horizon and we at ArtsEd are proud to stand up with those demanding change!”

ArtsEd is committed to its role as a leading light in this arena. The proportion of ArtsEd students from BAME backgrounds has been steadily increasing over the last five years and currently stands at 23%, significantly higher than most other drama schools. Principal, Chris Hocking supports the initiative whole-heartedly:

“Equality and diversity is the very essence of ArtsEd, and joining the Diversity School Initiative underpins our commitment to inclusiveness and to welcoming talented young people from all walks of life.”

Alumni and current students are equally supportive of the commitment:

But ArtsEd’s mission does not stop there. Another major barrier for young people who wish to pursue a career in the arts is the cost of training.  We strive to recruit young people on the basis of talent and not ability to pay and nearly 50% of our student body require significant financial support, through means-tested government grants or our own scholarships and bursaries, in order to take up their places or complete their studies.

“I have two friends from back home that I still see. One of them got an apprenticeship and the other one sells windows. I’m not knocking what they do, but I know I’d be doing the same if I hadn’t got the scholarship to ArtsEd. I just feel so lucky.” – Kristian Wall, BA Acting Alumnus

ArtsEd has been passionate about driving this change in the performing arts for a long time, and we are delighted that our partnership with the Diversity School Initiative will help to accelerate the process. Changes needs to start at the base of the pyramid and we are proud to be at the forefront of this very necessary transformation.

Please spread the word about what ArtsEd is achieving and share this article on Twitter or Facebook!

If you would like to help us in our mission please become an ArtsEd Friend and enjoy a lead role in creating the next generation of exceptional talent.

Talented ArtsEd alumni Marc Antolin (Musical Theatre, 2008) and Daisy Maywood (Musical Theatre, 2010), pictured (photo Steve Tanner), have announced plans for a US tour of their Kneehigh production of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk. Currently playing at London's evocative Wilton's Music Hall, audiences are drawn into the magical world of artist Marc Chagall and his wife Bella, partners in life and on canvas, with captivating performances by Marc and Daisy.

Written by Daniel Jamieson and directed by Kneehigh's Artistic Director Emma Rice, the lovers' compelling story is interwoven with dance and live klezmer music inspired by Russian folk tradition, composed and performed by Ian Ross and James Gow.

Marc is all set for LA: “I’m really looking forward to taking the show to the US. Emma Rice’s work and Kneehigh have a big following internationally and there’s lots of Marc Chagall’s work in America. Also, the Oscars are being held in LA while we are there and Vanity Fair have their party at the theatre we’re performing in, so we’re hoping for an invite!”

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk will make its US debut on February 24 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Following the LA tour, the stage lovers will fly back to West Yorkshire Playhouse, Salisbury Playhouse, the Spoleto Festival and more.

Catch this 4-star show at Wilton's while you can! – https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/395-the-flying-lovers-of-vitebsk

A whirl of colour and surreal humour… The Guardian

A visual gem… The Stage

Gloriously romantic… The Times

Winner of the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award 2017.

ArtsEd is all ready for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which opens in The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre on Friday 2 February and runs until Saturday 10 February – more details here

The story: Drag queens Tick and Adam, and a trans woman, Bernadette, go on a road trip through the Australian outback when Tick's estranged wife calls in a favour. Their unreliable tour bus, Priscilla, takes them on a voyage of discovery – encountering redneck homophobia, new love and self-acceptance on the way to giving the performance of their lives. Based on the award-winning 1994 film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert has a contagiously upbeat soundtrack of disco hits. 

And the cast can't wait for opening night!

“Working on a production of this scale has been a very thrilling process. It isn't every day that you get to strut around on the stage in heels impersonating Tina Turner. Colin Mayes and P.J. McEvoy, the two designers on the show, have incredible creative images which they are applying to costumes, set and projection. It isn't easy to transform a cast of young adults into a whole array of crayons, paintbrushes and rollers but they are doing a fantastic job. Priscilla Queen of the Desert is a massive feel-good show which carries a strong message of acceptance and love; topics which are very relevant to the world we live in today. I am extremely excited to be able to go out and share this heart-warming story to a new audience each night.”

Harry Winchester (Miss Understanding)

“Being part of such an extravagant musical has been a dream to be in. Priscilla Queen of the Desert shares a very important and relevant message to all people and it has been an honour to be able to express all the different topics the show covers, from friendship, parental love, acceptance and LGBT community. The role of Cynthia is not only a comical character which I’ve LOVED portraying every second, it also illustrates a message to always be true to yourself and carry on doing what you love. To be given this opportunity has been a real blessing and I will be forever grateful for all the life lessons I have learnt throughout this process.”

Jessica Lee (Cynthia)

“Working on Priscilla has been an absolute dream for me creatively. The show has an incredible soundtrack and a hilarious book, so the rehearsal process has been masses of fun. Really loving the music and knowing how much I'm going to laugh makes it such a joy to go to rehearsals!

The show also has a really moving storyline with some very complex characters and it's been a great pleasure to delve into what the heart of the story is really about. I am playing Tick, a drag queen who struggles with anxiety and fear of a world that seems to not accept him as he travels across Australia to meet his son. Tick has been a real challenge for me as there are many facets to his character and the role demands a great deal of emotional range. I've absolutely loved rising to these challenges and working with the creatives to really get to know this character.

Overall the show is a non-stop barrage of energy, jokes and great music, with a truly moving story of love, parenthood and acceptance. I'd encourage everyone to come and see this glorious show performed by such a wonderfully talented cast!”

Ben Tyler (Tick/Mitzi)

Don't forget to tell us how much you enjoy the show – join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

ArtsEd is looking forward to a dazzling new production opening in the Studio Theatre on Friday 19 January. Show runs until Saturday 27 January.

Top Hat* is a fabulously witty, light-footed farce featuring some of Irving Berlin's most famous songs, including Puttin' On the Ritz, Cheek to Cheek and Let's Face the Music and Dance. Broadway star Jerry Travers, arriving in London to perform in producer Horace Hardwick's latest West End show, accidentally dances into the life of glamorous model Dale Tremont and falls instantly in love. Pursuing her from London to Venice, he is thwarted by a case of mistaken identity and a rival suitor – flamboyant Italian fashion designer, Beddini. But can Hardwick's sneaky valet, Bates, help save the day?

Our Marketing Officer, Tess Henderson has been out and about behind the scenes at ArtsEd talking to cast and creatives.

Director Richard Fitch is full of infectious enthusiasm:

“This production of Top Hat is likely to be a version of the show that you have never seen and won’t ever get to see again. Whilst keeping hold of the sharp wit, incredible score and endearing love story at its centre, we aim to showcase what it is to fall in love in a way that resonates with both a 1930’s and contemporary audience. The students inject this show with infinite charm, class and precision and along with the stunning choreography, the show is guaranteed to have you laughing out loud, humming and tapping long after the show ends.”

While members of the cast are equally excited:

“The entirety of rehearsals have been truly splendid. We are exceptionally lucky to have such a hard working creative team on board, who have given us a motivating and professional environment to work in, preparing us for the industry. Playing Dale has been an absolute dream of mine and I have loved embracing her gutsy yet angelic personality. We are very thankful of the school, especially Chris Hocking for having faith in us to pull off such iconic material. I am so excited for opening night and to be able to share our work with the public, we hope everyone enjoys the performance.”

Hannah Lawson (Dale Tremont)

“The rehearsal process for Top Hat has been an absolute joy. There's a wonderful sense of collaboration and camaraderie in the room. The show is old school musical comedy – there's mistaken identity and big ensemble tap numbers that have been beautifully crafted by our choreographer, Ashley Nottingham. I'm already not looking forward to letting go of Madge. She's blunt, feisty and she knows her own worth; stepping into her shoes has been really empowering. I also get to wear some fab dresses thanks to our designer and the costume department!”

Clancy Ryan (Madge Hardwick)

“The process of this show has been bliss. Horace has been a real challenge for me! He has such fast qualities and an anxiety that took me a while to connect with. I think everyone’s in for a good night of light hearted 

comedy!”

Charlie Ellerton (Horace Hardwick)

So to all the lucky ticket holders out there, we look forward to welcoming you to ArtsEd!

And don't forget to tell us how much you enjoy the show – join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

*Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Based on RKO’s Motion Picture
Book by Matthew White & Howard Jacques
An amateur production by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe