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

ArtsEd was declared School of the Year at a ceremony at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The prestigious Stage Awards celebrate the industry’s best performing theatres and theatre makers and categories include the Best Regional Theatre, Best Producer, International Award and School of the Year.

ArtsEd’s nomination came as a direct result of the School of Acting’s exceptional achievements in 2015. Juma Sharkah (pictured) made her professional debut in Liberian Girl at the Royal Court in January before she'd even graduated from the BA Acting course, while ArtsEd Patron Sir Trevor Nunn directed third-year acting students in his first ever production of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona. The Stage noted that graduates from ArtsEd Acting and Musical Theatre BA courses are “making an ever-stronger and more noticeable mark in productions across London and the rest of the country”. They also commended ArtsEd's stellar cast of industry patrons, recently enriched by playwright Jessica Swale and director Matthew Dunster.

In an interview with We Are the City, Juma Sharkah highlighted the benefits of her training: “The whole ArtsEd experience allowed me to grow so much as a person – being around such a supportive network of staff and students was the perfect way for me to find out what I am fully capable of. I was always told – we want you to be the best version of yourself – you are the training. It made me feel very safe. I still warm up the ArtsEd way before all my auditions and performances and keep in touch with everyone.”

Principal Jane Harrison is delighted with the result: “ArtsEd has been and will continue to be champions of diversity and inclusion. Winning this award is a clear endorsement of our commitment.”

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We are delighted to announce that Jessica Swale and Matthew Dunster, who have been working as Writers in Residence on two new plays for production later in 2016, have joined our stellar cast of ArtsEd patrons.

MATTHEW DUNSTER is an Olivier-nominated director, playwright and actor. He is as an Associate Artist at the Young Vic Theatre and recently directed Martin McDonagh’s new play Hangmen at the Royal Court, now transferred to Wyndham’s Theatre. Directing credits include: Hangmen and Liberian Girl (Royal Court), The Seagull and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Open Air Regent’s Park), Love’s Sacrifice (RSC), The Lightning Child, Troilus and Cressida and Doctor Faustus (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Love Girl & the Innocent, You Can Still Make a Killing (Southwark Playhouse), Mametz (National Theatre Wales), Before the Party (Almeida), A Sacred Flame (English Touring), Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Royal Exchange Manchester), Mogadishu (Royal Exchange Manchester and Lyric Hammersmith – Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre), Love and Money (Royal Exchange Manchester and Young Vic – Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre) and Love the Sinner (National Theatre). 

As writer, his theatre includes: Children’s Children (Almeida), The Most Incredible Thing (Sadler’s Wells), and You Can See the Hills (Royal Exchange Manchester).

“I have a great deal of faith in the work that Gareth Farr does with his acting students and in my relatively short association with ArtsEd I have relished working with those students. I've found them inspiring when devising work with them and have now worked with a number of them in shows of mine at the RSC and the Royal Court –two of them were still third year students at the time. So I've already gained a lot from my association with the school and hope as a patron I'll learn more and look forward to helping where and when I can throughout the organisation.”

JESSICA SWALE is an award-winning playwright and director. She trained at Central School of Speech and Drama and Exeter University, after which she set up Red Handed Theatre Company whilst working as Max Stafford-Clark’s Associate director at Out of Joint. With Red Handed Jessica’s directing work includes The Belle's Stratagem (Evening Standard Best Director 2012 nomination), The Busy Body, The Rivals, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Southwark Playhouse); The School for Scandal (Park Theatre) and Palace of the End (Arcola).

“I couldn't be more delighted to become a patron. ArtsEd has always strived to give their students the very best training and with innovations like the Writer in Residence scheme the students' experience is elevated beyond conventional teaching to give them genuine experience of Industry practice. I work in exactly the same way with the students as I do with actors in rehearsal. The school understands the importance of staying in touch with current theatre practice.

Jessica started writing in 2012, winning a Most Promising Playwright nomination at the Evening Standard Awards for her first play, Blue Stockings (Shakespeare’s Globe). Her most recent play, Nell Gwynn, transfers to the West End this spring after a sell-out run at the Globe. Other writing includes All's Will that Ends Will (Bremen Shakespeare Company), adaptations of Sense and Sensibility, Far from the Madding Crowd (Watermill) and The Secret Garden (Grosvenor Park, Chester) and a new play, The Mission, about illegal adoptions in the 1920s for ArtsEd. In 2012 she won a BAFTA JJ Screenwriting Bursary and has just completed an original screenplay, Summerland.

As director, her credits include Fallen Angels (Salisbury Playhouse), Bedlam (Shakespeare's Globe), Winter (Theatre Newfoundland, Canada) and Sleuth, Sense and Sensibility and Far from the Madding Crowd (Watermill Theatre). Jessica has also directed a number of Shakespeare plays in the Balkans and the Marshall Islands for the NGO Youth Bridge Global. She is the author of a best-selling series of drama games books, published by Nick Hern.

“I was flattered to be asked to write for this year's third years. I have been constantly impressed by their ability, attitude and energy. I hope they are learning from the experience, I certainly am! I believe it's vital for those in the industry to stay connected to the next generation of theatre makers and performers – valuable to both students and professionals. I have no doubt that we'll be working together for many years to come.”

The Stage Awards celebrate the industry’s best performing theatres and theatre makers with award categories including Best Regional Theatre, Best Producer, International Award and School of the Year.

{image1}ArtsEd’s nomination as School of the Year is a direct result of the School of Acting’s exceptional achievements throughout 2015. Student Juma Sharkah made her professional debut in Liberian Girl at the Royal Court in January prior to graduating from the BA Acting course. While in the spring, ArtsEd Patron Sir Trevor Nunn directed third-year acting students in his first ever production of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona. The Stage commented that graduates from our Acting and Musical Theatre BA courses are “making an ever-stronger and more noticeable mark in productions across London and the rest of the country.”

The winners will be announced at The Stage New Year Party, at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on January 29, 2016. You can see the full list of award nominations here.

written by Daniel Ellis (Year 12)

On Friday the 27th of November, I performed a stand up routine for the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) annual awards dinner. This was held at Grays Inn in London.

My act was about my experiences of living with dyslexia and I talked about the funny side of being dyslexic as well as the challenges. Also about how dyslexia is more of a good thing than a bad thing for me.

It was a big and imposing venue with about 300 guests including celebrities who have dyslexia themselves. This was my first public performance of this act and although I was nervous I really enjoyed it. The audience laughed at every joke and enjoyed my observations.

After the event, the organiser emailed me to say that he had received amazing feedback and some enquirers to, so I might get more bookings!

The evening raised over £36k for the BDA so they can continue to provide specialist support for people with dyslexia.

The Post-Diploma BA (PDBA) in Performance Studies is a part-time one-year top-up course validated by City University London. It offers the opportunity to convert your existing 3 Year Diploma in Acting or Musical Theatre to an honours degree, (providing you have a minimum of three years post-diploma professional performance experience).

PDBA graduates have achieved career development by promotion, gone on to PGCE teacher training, or other post-graduate study including MAs and MScs. Achieving a degree qualification can open up a range of new job opportunities.

The PDBA takes place one evening a week (Monday) from 6.30pm-9.30pm over three terms, making it ideal for those with work or family commitments. If necessary, arrangements can be made for working performers to defer modules over a limited period. A range of topics including Evolution of the Musical and The Performer and The Audience are explored through lectures, workshops and group discussions. Modules are led by Course Leader Lorna Pearson Hall and specialist visiting tutors. Students are assessed by group presentations, essays and a dissertation. Extensive support is given to develop writing and study skills with 1-2-1 tuition available when necessary.

At only £3,000 our fees are highly competitive compared to similar courses. Student loans are available for the full tuition fee as well as Equity Bursaries.

To join us in January 2016 please send us the following by Friday 11 December:

Completed application form
CV showing your work in the field of performance
Photocopy of your NCDT/CDET accredited three-year full-time Diploma.

Mailing address: PDBA, Arts Educational Schools, Cone Ripman House, 14 Bath Road, London W4 1LY

You will then be invited to attend an informal interview where we can discuss the course and answer any questions.

You can see full course information here or contact Course Leader Lorna Pearson-Hall via LPearson@artsed.co.uk with any queries.

ArtsEd students featured on Chris Evans’ Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning ahead of their performance at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in a special Friday Night is Music Night celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of The Sound of Music. The concert will be broadcast on Radio 2 on 18 December featuring music from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s celebrated musicals – more info here.

Radio 2 listeners were treated to renditions of Do-Re-Mi, Oklahoma! and Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ from our second year BA musical theatre students, accompanied by ArtsEd’s Head of Music, Dane Preece.

Anthony Cherry, ArtsEd Patron and Producer of Friday Night is Music Night joined the students in the studio, enlightening Chris Evans to some of the technical aspects of the performance including the different sections of the choir and interesting counter melodies.

After joining in their last minute rehearsal around the coffee machine, host Chris couldn’t wait to hear if the choir would go for a big finish at the end of Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, or would they ‘bottle it’ and sing the low notes? You’ll have to listen to find out… (about 1hr45mins in) Listen to the Chris Evans Breakfast Show

On Monday 26 October a memorial event was held at the Lyceum Theatre with family and friends from across the industry sharing their memories of ArtsEd alumnus Chris Hornby.

Chris was highly regarded across the theatre industry having performed in many professional shows including Starlight Express, Anything Goes, Billy Elliot and Guys and Dolls, before moving on to creative roles. It was whilst working at the Lyceum Theatre as Resident Director of The Lion King that Chris sadly passed away in December 2014. 

Performances at the memorial included You Are My Sunshine sung by Louise Dearman, Circle of Life performed by the cast of The Lion King, Bach Cello Concerto No1 played by Philip Taylor and dance pieces from The Lion King cast members Kella Panay, Francisco Lins and Hugo Batista. ArtsEd third year musical theatre students sang a moving rendition of Nat King Cole’s Smile.

Chris’s partner Tim explained that Chris had received a bursary to train at ArtsEd, a small grant that had a big impact on his life and all those he went on to meet. The Chris Hornby Fund has been set up as a lasting legacy that will help talented students at ArtsEd facing financial hardship. Attendees of the memorial showed exceptional support for the fund, resulting in an incredible £3,261 being donated on the day and a further £3,700 online.

We are all extremely grateful for the generosity of Chris’s family and friends.

If you would like to support the Chris Hornby Fund please visit the justgiving page.

Photograph: Ken McKay