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.

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