As ArtsEd celebrate 100 years, we remember the incredible women who have helped build our legacy from 1919 to present day! For International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March, we’ve created a gallery to highlight the women who make up ArtsEd’s illustrious history, past and present.

Grace Cone & Olive Ripman

The women who started it all! These two extraordinary women shared a deep understanding of the value of combining academic education with specialised training in dance, drama, music and art. Having run their own dance schools, they joined forces in 1939 to create the Cone Ripman School which was renamed the Arts Educational Schools in 1947.

Dame Beryl Gray & Alicia Markova

ArtsEd Principal in the 1950’s, Dame Beryl Gray helped set up the revolutionary company, London Festival Ballet with iconic ballet dancer and ArtsEd President at the time, Alicia Markova. This company was made up of ArtsEd students and later became the English National Ballet. Below is Beryl Gray with the Markova Award in the 1970’s.

Mrs Marie Jack

As ArtsEd Principal in the 1960’s-70’s, Mrs Jack left an unforgettable legacy. To this day, alumni share stories about their time at ArtsEd with Mrs Jack – a stickler for good manners; she insisted students curtsy every time they walked past her!

Eve Pettinger

Much loved ballet teacher from 1960’s-1990’s, Eve is still involved with Tring Park school.

Jackie Bristow

Jackie was a jazz and ballet teacher at ArtsEd for 40 years! Here she is, pictured on the bottom left at a late 80’s reunion!

Jane Harrison

The wonderful Jane Harrison was Principal of ArtsEd from 2008-2017. She oversaw many exciting changes and improvements at the school, including the launch of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre in 2013!

Today…

ArtsEd are proud to have so many brilliant women in leadership roles, paving the way for another generation of performers. Let’s shout-out to these ladies:

Jane Morton

Deputy Principal Jane helps run the ArtsEd ship!

Di Stedman

Head of Production, Di has been with us since the 1980’s and is responsible for all of our professionally staged shows here at ArtsEd.

Natalie Bareham

Director of the Performing Arts for Day School and Sixth Form, Natalie has been at ArtsEd for over 20 years!

Claire Parker Wood

Deputy Headteacher for ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form, Claire also teaches Science (repping women in STEM!)

Julie Spencer

Director of the School of Acting, Julie was cited as one to watch in The Stage 100 2020!

Kim Vithana

Head of Film & TV for the School of Acting, Kim is also active within the industry, and has recently appeared in Netflix drama, The Stranger.

Jill-Louise Hydes

Head of Dance for the School of Musical Theatre, Jill makes sure those feet are always pointed!

Edurank, a social media benchmarking organisation, combines a range of measures including post engagement and number of followers to produce the annual rankings.

This year Tess Henderson, our Senior Digital and Marketing Officer, has made excellent use of our social media to share a whole host of exciting stories with the whole ArtsEd community.

Our Centenary celebrations have been led  by 100 Years in 100 Seconds, a series of short films featuring ArtsEd alumni, including Miriam-Teak Lee, Danny Mac and Lashana Lynch (keep your eyes peeled in April!) reflecting on their time at ArtsEd.

100 Favourite Things is giving pupils, students and staff the chance to share what they love about ArtsEd and #ArtsEdAdvent took a trip down memory lane with sneak peeks of our archives and alumni stories in the run up to Christmas.

Chris Hocking, Principal: “Tess does an amazing job using Twitter to celebrate successes big and small from across the whole organisation and beyond to our alumni community. This award is a testament to her hard work! ArtsEd’s social media platforms are kind, supportive and fun, a digital reflection of the wonderful atmosphere that we enjoy inside the building every day.”

Make sure you are following us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! Find us on @ArtsEdLondon

ArtsEd graduate, Miriam-Teak Lee has been awarded a What’s On Stage Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as leading lady, Juliet in new musical &Juliet.

Since graduating from ArtsEd in 2017, Miriam-Teak Lee bounded into the West End with gusto; firstly taking on Hamilton and now, she is the star of brand new musical: &Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Delighted by the news, Miriam-Teak had a chat with us about her win:

“I am so unbelievably overwhelmed about winning this award! It is even more special because the fans vote for us; they are the people who come and watch our show night after night, and will wait at stage door just to see us come out! I appreciate and I love them.

It is an absolute dream being able to play a role like this night after night, to sing the legendary Max Martin’s songs and to be trusted enough to put my own spin on them. Working with book writer, David West Read in creating the character of Juliet has been an incredible experience; I feel so proud to have helped create a character that inspires people to find the confidence they never knew they had and to be true to themselves. The fact that I have originated this role is something I will have with me for the rest of my life and I will always be forever proud of Juliet and the entire &Juliet process”

Miriam-Teak has also been nominated for Best Actress in a Musical at the Oliviers 2020, alongside ArtsEd alumna Zizi Strallen for her role as Mary Poppins. Graduate, Jac Yarrow has been nominated for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Joseph in Joseph’s Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The Olivier Awards 2020 will be held on 5 April.

Hear more from Miriam-Teak in the ArtsEd Centenary video: 100 Years in 100 Seconds with Miriam-Teak Lee:

ArtsEd are delighted to celebrate two alumni cast in The Witcher, the second series of Netflix recent hit. Paul Bullion, BA Musical Theatre alumnus, is set to star as Lambert, alongside MA Acting alumnus Yasen Atour playing Coën.  

Paul graduated from ArtsEd ten years ago and has enjoyed an exciting and varied career ever since. Best known for his role as Billy Kitchen in Peaky Blinders, Paul’s other recent TV credits include Agatha Raisin and The Bastard Executioner whilst theatre roles have seen him at the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe.  

Paul is forever grateful for the training he received at ArtsEd.  

“ArtsEd really prepared me for just how tough the industry can be, but I’ve learnt perseverance always pays off.  

The great thing about the musical theatre course is that it provides you with such a wide skillset. The dance training especially helps with coordination and retaining fight choreography. Understanding your body and how it moves is so important, and the training really helps with that.  

I honestly had the most amazing three years and I will always be grateful for the opportunities ArtsEd gave me. I look forward to our 10 year reunion this year!” 

MA Acting alumnus, Yasen Atour has enjoyed great success since graduating in 2012, Best known for 2018 feature film, Robin Hood and Channel 4’s The State, Yas is thrilled about his new role in The Witcher, and grateful for the support network and training ArtsEd provides: 

“Life can be challenging as an actor, and trying to find your way in the industry can be tough. For me, this was made easier because I had a solid foundation and a place I could call home, the one and only…ArtsEd! ArtsEd has always made me feel welcome, and the after-care is second to none – thank you for your continued love and support. Attending ArtsEd was without a doubt, the best decision I ever made!” 

This series has already started filming, and is set to be released in 2021.  

Find out more about our BA Musical Theatre course and MA Acting course.  

ArtsEd Sixth Former, Isabella Pappas has had a busy few months! Last month, she bagged a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the WhatsOnStage Awards, and now she’s set to play the role of Alice and Harry’s 16-year-old daughter Charlotte in new six-part ITV drama: Finding Alice, starring; Keeley Hawes, Joanna Lumley, ArtsEd alumnus and Patron, Nigel Havers, Jason Merrells, Gemma Jones, Kenneth Cranham and Sharon Rooney. 

Production began last month, 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 is excited to have such an impressive team on board;  

“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.”  

Isabella is looking forward to tackling her role in this brand new drama:  

“I’m honoured to be working with the incredibly talented cast, writers, producers and director of Finding Alice for Red Productions and ITV.  Going to set everyday and working with Keeley Hawes, Joanna Lumley, Gemma Jones, Roger Goldby and everyone… it really is a dream come true.”  

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

Headshot taken by ArtsEd alumna,  Faye Thomas.

ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form saw incredible results in the recent ISI Inspection Report, held in November 2019.

The three-day inspection was a ‘Focused Compliance and Educational Quality Inspection’, where the Inspection Team looked at every aspect of the school’s operation. Unlike an Ofsted Inspection where a school gets a single summative grade, in an ISI EQ Inspection a school is awarded a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ in terms of regulatory compliance, and two separate grades, one for the quality of Pupils’ Academic and Other Achievements, and one for the quality of Pupils’ Personal Development.

We are delighted to announce that ArtsEd achieved Excellent for both Pupils’ Achievement and Pupils’ Personal Development and that we passed our regulatory compliance with no required or recommended actions.  The Inspection Team recognised a very broad range of outstanding qualities in our teaching, our young people, and our staff. Highlights from the inspection were:

Pupils demonstrate very positive attitudes to learning and develop many excellent learning skills.

They often apply the techniques that they develop in vocational studies to other learning.

A key attribute of pupils is their ability to accept criticism and direction and they often show a strong desire for this, indicative of the desire they show to be the very best they can. 

They excel in working with others, continually supporting and encouraging each other, and driving one another on to further achievement.

Pupils behaviour is excellent. The pupils are energetic but always cooperative.  In interviews, it was hard to draw out of pupils what would be considered poor behaviour in the school because they feel it is so seldom evident.

We are delighted with these comments, and going forward, we aim to keep improving. Don’t forget, you can still apply for our Day School and Sixth Form, or see what all the fuss it about and book a tour.

We’re on the hunt for exciting new acting talent in the Midlands and will be taking our BA Acting auditions to Manchester this February.

As well as having the opportunity to audition, prospective students will get an insight into life on the BA Acting course, direct from our world-class tutors and alumni who will be present at the Manchester audition event – all without the cost of travelling to London.

These travel costs alone can be a major barrier for young people who have great talent but limited financial means. So, we are encouraging young people who are unable to travel to London, to find out about our world-class vocational training at the audition day which takes place at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester on Saturday 8 February.

The Manchester audition day is also part of our long-term commitment to improve opportunities for talented young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the performing arts.

Kyle Rowe, our BA Acting Alumnus 2017, who has appeared in Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street and EastEnders says:

“ArtEd honestly changed my life. I had the most incredible three years there, and it really gave me that ‘can-do’ attitude. My training allowed me to realise anything is possible; I can and absolutely will do it. ArtsEd taught me that people from where I’m from can be something, people that sound like me can have a voice, and I will be forever grateful for my time there; for everything I learnt, the people I met, and what ArtsEd has helped me achieve.”

Julie Spencer, our very own Director the School of Acting says:

“Taking our audition day to Manchester helps to increase participation across the sector and is a vital part of ArtsEd’s commitment in offering outstanding training to everyone.

“We want to encourage students with exceptional potential in and around Manchester to join us at ArtsEd.  The distance means not everyone can always make it to a London audition, so we want to bring the audition to you. If you want to be part of the ArtsEd family and train with us then we want to see YOU at the Royal Exchange for our Manchester audition.”

The Manchester audition will take place on Saturday 8 February 2020, 10am – students must be 18 years old by the time the course starts. The audition session will include a warm-up workshop led by our ArtsEd Acting tutors. Candidates will be expected to prepare two monologues. They can find all the information they need on our Auditions page.

We are very excited to announce that our Day School pupil, Olivia Beaumont will be playing the role of Young Maeve in series two of Netflix hit: Sex Education, set to release Friday 17 January!

Olivia loved being on set with the talented team of actors, directors and crew who were all very encouraging.

“I was so excited to be offered the part of young Maeve who is such a strong character, to show the audience a glimpse of her early life and to work with the amazing Sex Education team”

Olivia has performed from an early age, continuing her passion for performance at the ArtsEd Day School. She says that “I just love to step into other peoples’ worlds and tell their story”

Don’t miss out on series two of Sex Education, out on Friday 17 January.

And don’t forget, there’s still time to apply for ArtsEd Day School. Final deadline: Friday 31 January! APPLY NOW.

Lisle Jones

November 2^nd 1929 – December 25^th 2019

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.

                                                                                                                        Albert Einstein

It is with genuine sadness that we let you know of the passing of Lisle Jones, who died at his home in Melbourne, Australia on Christmas Day. He was 90 years old.

Lisle first worked as a teacher at ArtsEd in 1969 when it was known as the Arts Educational Schools and based at Piccadilly in London’s West End.  During the mid 1970s, in collaboration with Brain Cook and Hilary Wood, he was instrumental in establishing the full-time Acting course, for which he subsequently became the programme leader.

An experienced practitioner as both an actor and a director, as well as a dedicated and resourceful teacher, Lisle brought immense passion and commitment to his work – always exacting the highest standards of rigour and professionalism in all of his students.

Determined to ensure that the Acting course achieved national and international recognition for excellence, he secured full accreditation for the programme when the National Council of Drama Training (NCDT) undertook its first tranche of validation visits in 1979/80. This was no mean feat for a relatively new course and in later years other drama schools would look to ArtsEd as an example of best practice in the vocational training sector.

With a sharp eye for talent and always determined to attract the best possible practitioners to come and deliver the training for his students, Lisle recruited the likes of Declan Donnellan to teach acting and direct performances, Patsy Rodenburg to teach voice, Mary Hammond to teach singing, as well as Ben Benison, Roddy Maude- Roxby and Ric Morgan to teach improvisation.

In January 1983, Lisle was invited to return to his homeland, Australia, as Head of Acting at the newly formed Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where once again he played a major role in helping to shape the careers of some of the world’s most accomplished theatre and film practitioners.

A genuinely warm and kind human being as well as an astute and highly skilled practitioner, Lisle had an immense influence on the careers of many, many actors and theatre practitioners. His wonderful enthusiasm combined with an immense energy and seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

David Shirley – January 2020