This new and exciting initiative offers workshops and networking opportunities to all performing arts graduates and industry professionals who want to refresh or develop their skill base.

“At ArtsEd Extra we believe that learning should never stop. The performing arts industry is fiercely competitive, it’s more important than ever to be at the top of your game for auditions and to offer something extra.” – Jonathan Goodwin, Head of the School of Part-Time Learning.

The Professionals Hub will offer a range of affordable workshops enabling young professionals to refine their existing skills and explore new ones. Courses will cover a range of disciplines with future workshops including stand-up comedy, self-taping and acting for camera. Specific course topics can be facilitated on request – just get in touch. The first workshop is The Actor & The Writer, giving graduates the opportunity to work closely with a professional writer and director as they are guided through the process of developing a new script.

It’s not just about training, the Professional Hub will also provide valuable networking opportunities with peers and industry creatives. “It can be a lonely experience as a performer, we want to bring people together to help them to make new connections and support each other.”

Sign up to our mailing list or keep a close eye on the Professional Hub website page, twitter or facebook to be the first to hear about upcoming events.

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Malcolm Goddard on 13 June. Malcolm trained at ArtsEd when it was known as the Cone Ripman School of Dance which led to a successful career as a dancer and choreographer. In the role of teacher Malcolm returned to ArtsEd to inspire new generations of dancers and performers.

We were extremely touched to find out that Malcolm had requested ArtsEd students sing at his funeral. The students were honoured to be a part of the service performing an arrangement of the Lord’s Prayer at St Mary The Boltons Church on Wednesday 3 August. ArtsEd Patron Dame Gillian Lynne also gave a moving tribute.

Current Year 8 pupil Zoe Brough is performing in the much anticipated play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre London. Having recently appeared as Blousey in Bugsy Malone at the Hammersmith Lyric and received an Olivier Award nomination in 2015 for her portrayal of Iris in The Nether, Zoe is no stranger to the stage. JK Rowling’s play picks up Harry’s story 19 years on, but the storyline has been kept firmly under wraps. “It has been tricky keeping everything a secret, but rehearsals have been so much fun. I really get on with the other children in the show, it’s like a big family.” Zoe shares her role with two other girls ensuring she is able to keep up with her school work whilst taking on this fantastic opportunity.

{image2}Aimée Fisher joined ArtsEd as a Sixth Form student and progressed to the Musical Theatre degree course. On completing her degree training earlier this year Aimée went straight into rehearsals for the West End’s Les Misérables. Performing in such a prestigious show is a fantastic achievement for any musical theatre performer, but it is particularly special to Aimée who has been dreaming of joining this show since she was 10 years old:

“My mum recently found an old notebook of mine from when I was little, I had written out my dreams for growing up which included joining ArtsEd and performing on stage in Les Misérables. I've always been encouraged by my parents to 'Dare to dream it and work to achieve it’. ArtsEd gave me every opportunity and encouragement to strive to improve through hard work and determination. I will always be grateful for my five years at ArtsEd; the preparation and confidence it gave me to step out into the professional world of theatre.”

Day School and Sixth Form alumnus Thomas Dennis is the youngest actor to take on the lead role of Christopher in the West End’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Even more impressive when he’s had no formal training:

“I remember putting on The Fall of the House of Usher with my Year 10 classmates, it’s actually quite a challenging play. Doing the whole show, going through the rehearsal process, performing on stage, that’s how I learnt, you just can’t do it in the classroom.”

{image3}Before completing his Sixth Form studies Thomas toured Chalk Farm to Edinburgh, London, New York and Brazil. In the run up to his final A Level exams in 2015 Thomas played Michael Darling in Peter Pan at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. He was brought back down to earth (literally!) with a History A Level exam the morning after the production’s final performance, an experience that has helped him to relate to his new West End role. “My character Christopher goes on a massive journey that turns his world upside down, but at the end he still manages to sit his exams. It’s like what I went through, I was squeezing in revision around rehearsals and performances. It was a hectic time but I’m so grateful that the school didn’t make me choose between performing or my studies – they made it possible to do both.” 

If you would like to learn more about the ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form, join us at one of our open evenings. Tuesday 27 September 6pm for Sixth Form or Wednesday 28 September 6pm for the Day School (Yrs 7-11). Explore the website to find out more about the Day School and Sixth Form.

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!