ArtsEd have created two, free short courses designed to assist young people from backgrounds that are consistently under-represented in the arts, in the drama school application process. The three-day courses in Acting and Musical Theatre Audition Preparation are aimed at young people aged 17 and over who identify as Black, East Asian, South Asian or any other under-represented Ethnic and Cultural group.

Focusing on building skills and confidence for drama school auditions in 2020/21, students will work with ArtsEd’s expert teaching staff alongside visiting industry professionals.

At the end of the intensive courses, full of useful and practical advice, students will be given the opportunity to showcase their skills in a mock panel audition and receive valuable feedback.

The courses have been created as part of ArtsEd’s ongoing commitment to widen participation, building on existing schemes that address issues of access. These include audition fee waivers for students from low-income households, an increasing number of bursaries and scholarships, and participation in the Dance and Drama Award (DaDA) provision.

Director of the School of Acting, Julie Spencer, said:

“We want to reach all young people who are interested in a career in the performing arts. Our new courses aim to introduce drama training to young people who may never had considered it before.”

ArtsEd’s Principal, Chris Hocking, said:

“At ArtsEd we’re passionate about attracting the very best young people to our courses in terms of their raw talent and potential. It’s vital that drama school training is accessible to all who would benefit from it, and our new courses demonstrate our commitment to reaching those who are currently under-represented in our industry.”

The latest round of these courses take place from 14 to 16 December 2020. Places are awarded via an online application form, which can be found here

Application deadline is Tuesday 8 December.

Earlier this month, Samantha Marsden from The Stage wrote a feature about how schools and colleges have managed to reimagine training for the Covid era. Heads of UK performing arts schools shared how they have combined online and in-person learning, as well as ensuring safety procedures are met in the building. Our Day School & Sixth Form Headteacher Adrian Blake and Director of ArtsEd Sixth Form Mark Ferrington both featured in the article, discussing the ways in which training has adapted at ArtsEd.

Adrian Blake discussed the practical ways in which the school has implemented safety measures:

“We remobilised for years 10 and 12 in July, having worked closely with health-and-safety specialists to open in the safest way possible.

“This important period enabled the team to ‘learn about learning’ in the Covid era, and informed how the full remobilisation would take shape: with enhanced deep-cleaning protocols, regular microbial fogging (an antibacterial mist that renders surfaces safe for weeks at a time), automated temperature checks on entry, high-vis signage and positive reinforcement to maintain social distancing.

“There are one-way systems, more than 40 hand-sanitation stations and a new school day model that means students travelling to and from ArtsEd avoid the rush-hour commuter crush on public transport. This also limits the contact between the student bubbles.

“In class, students wear visors for singing lessons, there are safety screens in one-to-one singing rooms and the hub where students go for learning support. Masks are worn in all communal areas and there have been daily reminders to students and weekly updates to parents that have meant that everyone has been singing from the same hymn sheet. A full curriculum has been in place since September 1, as well as a wide range of after-school classes and extra-curricular options for students from years 7 to 13.”

Meanwhile, Mark Ferrington discussed how Bubbles have worked during this time:

“In instances where individuals or groups are required to go home (if displaying symptoms or awaiting test results) we quickly switch to an extensive virtual curriculum, which includes all vocational lessons – singing, dance and drama. These lessons can successfully be run online alongside any academic A-level lessons students may be taking. The virtual curriculum is delivered via a combination of Google Classroom and Zoom.”

To read the article in full, please click here.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Denys Rawson, renowned Music Director and, since 1998, Repertoire Tutor for the School of Musical Theatre.  

 A successful Music Director for many years, Denys worked in both West End and touring productions including Oliver! (when Cameron Mackintosh was Stage Manager), Gypsy, Evita and in 1990, Carousel, starring our very own Chris Hocking and Phil Sutton.  

Denys began teaching at ArtsEd in 1998 and ever since he generously shared, with students and staff alike, his rich industry knowledge and expertise.     

ArtsEd Alumnus Gary Jerry talks about Denys’ natural flair as an accompanist:  

“For auditions, performance classes and singing assessments, Denys was always the person you wanted accompanying you. He was always so attentive to each individual performer’s needs and had the flexibility to work with the acting choices you made. Not many musical directors can create such great chemistry and connections with those they are working with the way Denys did.”  

Ann James, Singing Tutor for The School of Musical Theatre, was friends with Denys for over 40 years. She remembers touring across the UK with him for the Arts Council: 

“We performed in really obscure places around the country, and when we were touring in some rural areas in Wales, we had to do a round trip back to Pembrokeshire because one of the tenors had left his wig in a drawer! Denys was such a laugh and a really instinctive musician. You knew you were in safe hands when he was MD.”  

Denys was also a brilliant raconteur and had countless unforgettable and hilarious tales, that ArtsEd staff and graduates still reminisce upon today.  

Huw Geraint-Griffith, Head of Music for The School of Musical Theatre, remembers Denys’ infectious personality: 

“He loved a get together. I have such fond memories of him in bright and colourful shirts at 3rd year’s leaving drinks in the Summer term. You could hardly see him as he’d be surrounded by students, but you could always hear his laugh! 

A few years ago, Denys and Ann James came over for Sunday lunch. Well, between the two of them, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my life. From the moment they arrived, it was laugh-a-minute. By the end of the afternoon, I felt completely drunk, which wouldn’t have been surprising, but when I checked how many bottles we’d gone through, we’d hardly had any. He was enough of a tonic himself.  

I think that the main thing I will remember of Denys will be, that I always felt better after seeing him than I did before. I know that his students felt the same after having a lesson with him, which is what made him such a great teacher.” 

Paul Smith, former Repertoire and Music Director for both the School of Musical Theatre and the Day School talks about Denys’ influence on future generations: 

“When my stepson Jamie was eleven years old, we bumped into Denys in Richmond. Denys spent time chatting with Jamie about anything and everything, and he was so inspired at how knowledgeable and kind Denys was. All these years later, Jamie is now the Co-Director of SIX The Musical!” 

And lastly, ArtsEd Principal Chris Hocking remembers working with Denys on Carousel: 

“I first worked with Denys in 1990 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse (now The Leeds Playhouse) on a wonderful production of Carousel. He was such an inspiring Musical Director and the ensemble singing on that show was so tight because of him. When I arrived at ArtsEd in 1999 it was such a delight to be able to work with Denys again and to have the chance to re-visit Carousel with third year students. Denys’ showbiz stories were legendary and he was such a witty raconteur! I will ensure that Denys is never forgotten at ArtsEd.” 

Denys will be enormously missed by all the staff and graduates who worked with him over the years. His teaching influenced and encouraged generations of ArtsEd students and all remember him with pride.  

We are delighted to announce that ITV drama, Finding Alice is set for release early 2021. Featuring our very own Sixth Form alumna, Isabella Pappas, playing the role of Alice and Harry’s 16-year-old daughter Charlotte, the cast also stars; Keeley Hawes, Joanna Lumley, ArtsEd alumnus and Patron, Nigel Havers, Jason Merrells, Gemma Jones, Kenneth Cranham and Sharon Rooney.

Production began in January this year, with Keeley Hawes starring as Alice, a widow going through a blackly comic journey of grief after the death of her husband, Harry.

Nicola Shindler, RED Production Company CEO and executive producer said:

“To have such a strong calibre of actors join the cast alongside Keeley to breathe life into these complex characters is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to audiences meeting them.” 

Excited to see all their hard work come together, Isabella said:

“Finding Alice was an incredible experience. Working with acting legends everyday felt like a dream, and I left set each day having learned something new. The support from ArtsEd during that time made everything possible. My A Level Drama group met outside of my filming hours for our final project, allowing me to complete the course. I am so excited for everyone to see what we have created.”

Find out more about ArtsEd’s Day School & Sixth Form here.

We are delighted to announce that the builders have left and that our wonderful new building is nearly ready.  It is an impressive feat to have taken possession just eighteen months since the Studio Theatre was knocked down and we are very grateful for the patience and support of all of our students, staff and neighbours.

There is still quite a lot of work to do before we can move in fully. Final touches include colourful vinyls across all three floors, built-in desks in the new Day School & Sixth Form classrooms, workstations in the new HE Hub, signage so we don’t get lost and lastly, furniture for the wonderful new communal spaces in the Atrium.

We expect the work to be complete for the start of the Spring term in January 2021. Our current  ‘soft opening’ has students and staff enjoying classes in the new dance studios and rehearsal rooms, making sure everywhere is ready for a full timetable in the new year.

Chris Hocking, ArtsEd Principal said:

“I have been so impressed and grateful for the grace with which everyone has dealt with the disruption of the building work. I am certain that everyone will agree it was worthwhile when they come and see this wonderful addition to our Chiswick home!”

We hope that it won’t be too long before we can celebrate the creation of this fantastic new facility in person, with everyone that made it possible.  In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for our full virtual launch in the new year.

ArtsEd are delighted to announce the appointment of David Ian to their board of trustees. 

Chief Executive of his eponymous production company, and the recipient of five Olivier awards and three Tony nominations, David is a world-renowned theatre producer with a highly successful career spanning over 30 years. Prior to his first forays in producing (collaborating with Paul Nicholas), David had a successful acting career, appearing in productions such as The Pirates of Penzance, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Rocky Horror Show. 

From 2005, David was Chairman and CEO of the global theatrical division of Live Nation having previously joined the group in 2000 when it was part of Clear Channel, the largest theatrical group in the world. At Live Nation, David was responsible for Broadway Across America, which produced, and toured first class Broadway shows in over 40 cities in the United States and Canada. He was simultaneously CEO of the UK division, which included over 25 theatres both in London’s West End and most regional markets in the UK. 

David Ian Productions is responsible for scores of West End, international and UK touring shows, with multiple forthcoming projects waiting in the wings, ready for when theatre emerges from Covid-19 forced closures.  

David has a long association with the school, both as a friend and valued industry connection and, more recently, as parent to ArtsEd Sixth Form and Musical Theatre degree graduate, Emily Lane. 

Of his appointment, David said: 

“I look forward to developing my long-standing connection with ArtsEd as a member of the Board of Trustees.  

 ArtsEd has long been at the forefront of exceptional performing arts training and I’m delighted to lend my support during such an exciting period in the organisation’s long history. The wonderful new extension to their Chiswick home is just one in a series of developments that include innovative changes to the curriculum and a step change in the diversity of the faculty, that will secure ArtsEd’s reputation as a centre of excellence for many years to come.”  

ArtsEd Principal, Chris Hocking said: 

“I’m thrilled at David Ian’s appointment to ArtsEd’s Board of Trustees. His position in the theatre industry as a renowned and respected producer of large-scale shows has long been cemented and we have enjoyed an association with him for many years. As well as providing a wealth of knowledge as a producer, David’s early career as a performer also means he knows what it’s like from the point of view of our students as they enter the industry. This empathetic view of all areas of the performing arts is incredibly valuable to us. His influence on our board will be instrumental as we continue to offer the very best in performing arts training the UK has to offer. I very much look forward to working with him.” 

Sunday 25 October was a night dedicated to celebrating the theatre industry both at The Black British Theatre Awards (Sky Arts) and The Olivier Awards (ITV). ArtsEd had several alumni nominated and is thrilled that two came away with winner’s trophies on the night! ArtsEd proudly sponsor the BBTA’s Mentorship Programme, an emerging scheme focussed on introducing young, black people to the theatre industry where they may not otherwise have access.

ArtsEd Musical Theatre alumna, Miriam-Teak Lee was awarded Best Actress in a Musical at both The Black British Theatre Awards and The Olivier Awards for her performance in Max Martin’s new musical, &Juliet. Miriam’s award sees her triple-crowned in 2020 as she won the WhatsOnStage award for Best Actress in a Musical in the spring.

ArtsEd Acting graduate, Rachel Nwokoro was awarded the Disability Champion Award at the Black British Theatre Awards – only one month after her win at The Stage Debut Awards for Best Performer in a Play for her performance in Little Baby Jesus at Orange Tree Theatre.

Delighted by her win at the Olivier Awards, Miriam-Teak said:

“This is absolutely incredible! My mum always said to me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it […] so I hope I can inspire children who want to get into this business, knowing they can do anything.”

Rachel gave an emotional speech at the Black British Theatre Awards, declaring repeatedly: “They can’t stop us!”, which received a standing ovation. She said:

“Thank you for all this divine love, visibility and recognition. It’s honestly such a welcome gift at a time of such fear and false scarcity… Bring on the ABUNDANCE my loves.”

ArtsEd graduates Jac Yarrow (Musical Theatre) and Zizi Strallen (Day School) were also nominated at The Oliviers for Best Actor and Actress in a Musical in a Musical respectively for their leading roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Mary Poppins.

Renowned lyricist, Don Black, an ArtsEd Associate Artist, received the Special Award for his outstanding contribution to theatre and was interviewed for the television broadcast with ArtsEd President, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Congratulations to all nominees and winners!

PHOTOS: Miriam-Teak Lee (pictured left) and Rachel Nwokoro. Photo credit: The Black British Theatre Awards.

Julie Spencer, Director of the School of Acting at ArtsEd featured in two articles this week discussing the evolution of drama training and the drive for change, especially in regard to representation in conservatoires.

Bush Theatre held a conversation with Julie on their platform ‘Bush Green’, where Julie spoke about her experiences as a black woman in the arts, and how she has developed the acting courses at ArtsEd to better reflect the cohort of students:

“[The biggest change I’ve made is] being a woman, and Black, and just being here. I also think broadening the curriculum so that students can learn through their own lens shows you how extraordinary, young Black and Brown students are. They have been learning through someone else’s lens all this time and they’re still succeeding, they’re still willing. But they’re still learning through someone else’s lens. That takes so much time and energy and resilience to be able to do that. My thing is about learning through your own lens. You cannot learn through a 40-year-old white man’s lens, which is what people have been doing.”

This was shortly followed by an article in The Stage by Lyn Gardener, discussing how drama schools should go about adapting with the times, gathering opinions from across the sector. Julie stands proudly on the side of change:

“Actor training can’t remain static. If you have different students in the room, you have to respond to that. It’s about widening the canon and the curriculum, not losing rigour, […] when you shift privilege, there are always people who complain something is being lost”.

Photo: Julie Spencer with Acting students. Credit: Robin Savage

No one could have predicted the pivotal role Brian E. Cook would play in ArtsEd’s history, particularly following his first encounter with the school. Stepping in to cover a handful of drama classes for a friend in 1966, Brian felt that the actor training lacked focus and depth, particularly compared to the dance provision at the time. Much to his surprise, just one year later, he was asked to help set up ArtsEd’s first dedicated drama course to address these very observations.  A mutual agreement was made that Brian would be given two years to get the course established, and he in turn would guarantee the same. Brian ended up staying for ten years, creating a renowned drama training programme and lasting legacy.

Alongside Lisle Jones and Hilary Wood, Brian launched the drama course in September 1968. Calling on his experience and contacts as an actor and director, Brian brought in tutors and guest directors from the industry, an important aspect of the training that continues today. Having previously worked with Brian Way, Founder of Theatre Centre and pioneer of Theatre in Education, Brian was amongst the first to provide students with the opportunity to explore this work and perform in local schools. He led the team during the school’s move to the old Cripplegate Institute at the Barbican in 1969, which would become known as Golden Lane House. It was here that Brian helped to cement the course’s future by securing course validation from the Department of Education. This recognition was critical in providing vital access to tuition fee funding for a number of students and it wasn’t long before funding was made available to all students, thanks to further accreditation through the Conference of Drama Schools, also established by Brian.

In just a few short years under Brian’s leadership, graduates of the newly formed drama course were entering the industry and securing professional work, despite the tough competition at the time…

“In view of Equity’s report in 1970 that more people are being trained for the theatre than the profession can absorb, it is encouraging that few of the drama students have found difficulty in obtaining employment.” Mr V.B.V Powell, Secretary to the Arts Educational Trust, May 1972

In 1976, Brian and Bridget Crowley (Head of Dance) saw a missed opportunity in drama school training and created what’s believed to be the first dedicated musical theatre course, restructuring what was known at the time as the mixed ‘Fifty Fifty’ course. This musical theatre course would grow into the internationally renowned training that we are known for today, thanks in part to Brian’s role in clarifying and strengthening the school’s offering of dedicated courses.

In 1978 Brian left ArtsEd to take his place at theological college and train as a Priest. Even after his departure, the legacy of his work lived on and he remained connected to ArtsEd for many years through Yvette his wife, who also taught on the drama and musical theatre courses.

Brian E. Cook will be remembered as an important and influential figure in ArtsEd’s 100 year history. He helped lay the foundations for the school as we now know it and left a lasting impact on those who were fortunate enough to be taught by him.

With thanks to Yvette Byrne and Bridget Crowley

Picture: Hilary Wood, Bernard Douglas, Brian Cook, Yvette Byrne, Lisle Jones at ArtsEd’s Campbell-Orde Memorial Lecture, 1974

For further reading, please enjoy Francis Wright’s blog on ‘As You Like It’ and the ArtsEd Class of 1976.