ArtsEd Youth Dance Company (AEYDC) performed as part of RichDance 17 at Hampton School on Saturday 4 March – a performance platform for youth companies and professionals. The company of dancers from Years 10-13 took to the stage to premiere their new dance piece 'RED'.

Company Director Christopher Reynolds commended the performers saying: “The students’ performance was extremely professional and their support of the other participants was fantastic. RichDance was a great day for AEYDC to bond as a company as well as being ambassadors for the Day School and Sixth Form. I am extremely proud of them all, well done!” 

RichDance, now in its 15th year, forms a part of the Richmond upon Thames Music and Drama Festival. The weekend is a fantastic showcase for dance companies and choreographers, professional and emerging dance artists, local schools, and youth and community groups from across London.

ArtsEd Youth Dance Company will next be performing here at ArtsEd in The Dance Show from 27-31 March in the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre. Tickets are available from 2pm Thursday 9th March via the Box Office.

It has been announced that third year musical theatre student Tarinn Callender will be joining the original cast for the highly anticipated West End debut of Hamilton. Tarinn will make his professional debut playing the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison.

Performances will begin in November at the Victoria Palace Theatre, which will re-open its doors following major refurbishment work. Only a handful of castings have been announced so far, with the lead roles of Hamilton and King George III still firmly under wraps. We can't wait to find out who will be joining Tarinn over the coming months.

ArtsEd is delighted that Gareth Farr is taking up the post of Director of The School of Acting in April 2017. Gareth joined the School as a freelance director in September 2009 and immediately inspired the students with his passion and enthusiasm for actor training.

Before coming to ArtsEd Gareth worked as an actor and he continues to work as a writer bringing many Industry contacts to the School. His debut full-length play, Britannia Waves the Rules, won the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2011. His latest play, The Quiet House, which explores infertility and the taboo surrounding it, opened at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in May 2016 and transferred to Park Theatre in London in June 2016.  

As an actor Gareth has worked for the RSC, Royal Court, Young Vic, in the West End and at many regional theatres. His TV credits include Skins, Misfits, Vera, Doctors, Heartbeat and Holby City.

Principal Jane Harrison says: “This is a great addition to the ArtsEd team and we wish him every success in his new role.”

While Gareth is equally delighted: “I feel thrilled and extremely privileged to be taking on the role of Director of The School of Acting.  ArtsEd is about to embark on a new and exciting chapter and I am delighted to be part of this.”

Sixth Form student Daniel Ellis has won the British Dyslexia Association Young Person’s Award 2016. The award was made in recognition of Daniel’s commitment to creating positive attitudes towards dyslexia which he achieved through his stand-up comedy performances. The award also acknowledges how far Daniel has come from being diagnosed to achieving a place at ArtsEd.

In his acceptance speech Daniel spoke of his dyslexia as a gift: “I would not be in the position I am today if I did not have dyslexia. I would not be as creative or free thinking as I am. This gift has enabled me to become an actor and comedian and gain a place at the greatest performing arts Sixth Form in the UK.”

When Daniel finishes his Sixth Form study at ArtsEd next year he hopes to study for a degree in Acting. We are very proud of Daniel’s achievements and look forward to seeing how his bright future unfolds.

ArtsEd Principal Jane Harrison will be stepping down in July 2017 following eight successful years in post.

The Board of Trustees conducted a thorough search for a new Principal and we are delighted to announce that Chris Hocking, Deputy Principal, has been appointed and will take up his new role in September 2017.

Chris Hocking is equally delighted: “I am so honoured to take over as Principal from Jane in the new academic year. I am absolutely passionate about the training that we offer at ArtsEd, from the little ones on a Saturday, to Year 7 and right the way through to MA level and beyond. I have very big shoes to fill but relish the challenges that lay ahead. ArtsEd is without doubt the best place to train, the best place to work and the best place to be.”

Jane Harrison added: “Having worked closely with Chris for many years now I know that he has the passion, commitment and vision to take the School forwards to an ever brighter future.”

Everyone at the school would like to congratulate Chris on his appointment as Principal. We look forward to working together to maintain and develop ArtsEd’s position as one of the UK’s leading drama schools.

The Crystal Palace International Film Festival presents a diverse range of independent films from around the world. The winning films are selected by a celebrity and industry judging panel, and presented at screenings across London.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, written by Paul Houghton, produced by Caroline Jeffries and performed by the 2016 ArtsEd acting students, portrays army officers struggling to keep their domestic relationships from interfering with their job. The film was produced as part of ArtsEd’s second annual New Writing Project, which gives students valuable experience of taking a new script from page to screen and offers emerging writers the chance to have their work professionally produced.

ArtsEd is immensely proud that the film won the Best Comedy award, especially as it was the only drama school at the festival and was up against a range of big budget films from as far afield as Australia and Japan.

Accepting the award, Caroline Jeffries, Producer and Head of TV and Film, told the audience:
“ArtsEd is committed to connecting young acting talent with new writing. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang showcases this brilliantly.”

Attending the Gala Finale with Caroline, on behalf of ArtsEd, was Deputy Principal Chris Hocking, Director of Photography Ossi Jalkanen, Editor Robbert Hamilton and the cast Charlotte Price, Gareth Morgan, Richard Lessen and Christian Lee Smith.

Six teachers, including ArtsEd's Head of Part-Time Learning Jonathan Goodwin, were invited by Viral Thread to share their experiences of working with young people. Only at the end of their interview did they find out that they had actually been brought together by former pupils who wanted to say a big thank you for shaping their lives.

The video has struck a chord with teachers and students alike with over 15 million views on facebook.

We are so proud of Jonathan and all of our teachers who inspire and nurture students each and every day!

Sue brings a breadth of fundraising experience following many years of work within the arts industry. She comes to ArtsEd from the Donmar Warehouse where, as Deputy Director of Development, she supported their extraordinary work both onstage and off.   

Sue’s initial focus will be on broadening the base of support to ensure that ArtsEd can continue in its mission to provide  exceptional performing arts training to young people with the greatest talent and potential, regardless of their financial background. 

Jane Harrison, Principal welcomed Sue saying: “Sue is truly brilliant at what she does and we are thrilled that she has been able to join us at ArtsEd.”

Sue added: “I am delighted to have joined the team at ArtsEd, an organisation that is brim-full of passion and commitment. Sharing the excitement of all that goes on here with supporters, existing and potential, is going to be both fascinating and a privilege.”   

Multi-award winning stage, screen and television actress Lesley Manville OBE has become a Patron of ArtsEd.

“I have for some time heard nothing but glowing reports about the standard of teaching and talent of the students. But only now, having seen the school in progress for myself, can I truly appreciate that the happiness and commitment of the students comes from nurturing their skills in an environment that allows them to soar. On top of this the facilities are of an entirely professional standard. I look forward to being able to give my time to this centre of excellence.”

In the theatre Lesley has recently been seen in Long Days Journey into Night at The Bristol Old Vic and Ibsen’s Ghosts at the Almeida Theatre, West End and New York for which she won both an Olivier Award and the Critics Circle Best Actress Award. She has been a long term collaborator with Mike Leigh appearing in many of his films, most notably All or Nothing and Another Year, winning The Critics Circle Best Actress Award for both. Lesley’s most recent television credits include The Go-Between, River (for which she received a BAFTA nomination) and the title role in the critically acclaimed Mum. Lesley was made an OBE in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours List and is currently filming Harlots an eight part US/UK series to be screened next year.

A record number of Year 11 students achieved nine or more A*-C GCSE grades, with another record number of students securing 100% A* and A grades. In fact 33% of all this year’s GCSE results were A* or A, and 62% were A*, A or B, the school's best ever set of results.

Mr Blake Headteacher said: “I am very proud of our Year 11 students and their fantastic results. It is a testament to the positive learning relationships that are built between our hard-working students and staff, and I am thrilled that once again our results cement our position as the number one performing arts school in the UK. ”

If you are interested in finding out more about our Day School (11-16yrs) please join us at our Open Evening on September 28th from 6.00pm.