ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form proudly spotlights the recent achievement of one of its distinguished graduates, Scarlet Grace [Churchhouse]. In a significant career milestone, Scarlet stars as Sally, one of the main characters in the Disney+ short film, “The Shepherd.” This role not only highlights her exceptional talent but also underscores the world-class training provided by ArtsEd.

Disney+’s ‘The Shepherd’ is a captivating short film that transports audiences to Christmas Eve 1957, following the harrowing yet hopeful journey of Freddie, a young RAF pilot. Stranded and alone, with his aircraft’s instruments failing over the North Sea, Freddie faces imminent danger. His bleak situation takes a miraculous turn when he encounters a mysterious WWII-era Mosquito Fighter plane, piloted by a guardian angel who guides him to safety. This film weaves a tale of courage, resilience, and unexpected salvation, encapsulating the spirit of hope and the magic of Christmas miracles.

Scarlet’s performance in “The Shepherd,” a film that delves into themes of hope and perseverance, is a testament to the comprehensive hard work and dedication she put into her education at ArtsEd. Our Day School and Sixth Form have been instrumental in shaping the careers of many successful artists, offering courses that blend intensive vocational training with robust academic education.

“We are absolutely delighted that recent students from ArtsEd Day School and Sixth Form are thriving within the industry.  Scarlet was an outstanding student, who combined all aspects of the ‘ArtsEd Curriculum’, the vocational and the academic, whilst at the same time being a superb performer and ambassador for the School.  This is a wonderful testament to her remarkable talent, hard work, and professionalism, and demonstrates how these key attributes combine so well with the BTEC courses to enable students to prepare for careers in the industry.  She rightly deserves the accolades that this will bring, and we wish her every success in this and her future career.”

Peter Middleton, Headteacher, ArtsEd.

At ArtsEd, students are immersed in a vibrant and nurturing environment that encourages artistic growth and personal development.  The ‘ArtsEd Curriculum’ is designed to foster creativity and skill, includes a wide range of subjects such as Acting, Musical Theatre, Film Studies, and Dance, as well as the more traditional academic subjects.  This ensures a well-rounded education for our students through Years 7-11 and also into the Sixth Form, where the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts can be taken, or a more traditional A level pathway.

Scarlet’s success in “The Shepherd” is a reflection of our commitment to excellence in performing arts education. Her ability to bring complex characters to life on screen is a direct outcome of the comprehensive training and support provided by our dedicated faculty.

This achievement is not only a personal triumph for Scarlet but also a continuation of her family’s legacy at ArtsEd. In ArtsEd’s 100^th year, we unearth memories, pictures, programmes and newspaper clippings to collate the rich history of ArtsEd together. While doing so, we discovered a whole family of ArtsEd students made up of three generations of women: grandmother, Lynn Sawyer, her two daughters Samantha and Claire Sawyer, and granddaughter, Scarlet Grace [Churchhouse], who recently graduated ArtsEd Sixth Form.

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ArtsEd is committed to nurturing the next generation of performers and creatives, providing them with the tools, skills, and opportunities to succeed in the competitive world of the arts. As we celebrate Scarlet’s achievement, we look forward to witnessing the future successes of our current and future students, who are set to follow in the footsteps of our distinguished alumni.

Applications For Our Day School Close 7th February 2024.

Find out more about our Day School curriculum and offer below:

Sixth Form applications are now closed.

Day School

ArtsEd are delighted to be participating in three upcoming events, offering aspiring students a comprehensive look into the world of performing arts careers and an insight into life at ArtsEd.

BRIT School Futures Fair – Nurturing Future Talents

When: Thursday 1st February 2024
Time: 2.00pm – 6.30pm
Where: Obie Theatre, BRIT School, 60 The Crescent, Croydon SE25 5PW

The BRIT School Futures Fair is a unique event tailored specifically for Year 12 students of the BRIT School and their parents. This year, we are excited to return to an in-person format at the school’s Obie Theatre. The fair provides an excellent platform for over 500 students to interact directly with renowned higher education performing arts institutions, including ArtsEd. It’s an invaluable opportunity for students to receive personalised advice and insights into careers and courses in the performing arts, with an emphasis on practical skills and industry knowledge.

Tickets: This is a closed event.

CDMT Careers Conference – A Confluence of Aspirations and Expertise

When: Sunday 11th February 2024
Time: 9:30am – 7:00pm
Where: Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)

The CDMT Careers Conference at LIPA is the UK’s premier event for young people considering a career in dance, drama, and musical theatre. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshop-style classes, led by top UK teachers, focused on honing skills in dance, drama, and musical theatre. The day also includes seminars with experts on course selection, audition success, and vital topics like funding and wellbeing. The conference culminates with an exclusive Showcase Performance by students currently studying at CDMT Accredited Schools, providing a glimpse of the high-caliber training and talent nurtured within these institutions.

Come and meet us, take part in our workshops and watch our performance!

ArtsEd timetable:

• 12:15 – 13:00 – Workshop
• 14:15 – 15:00 – Q&A session with accredited schools panel
• 16:15 – 17:00 – Workshop

Tickets: Available for purchase at CDMT – Tickets

FDS/CUK Performing Arts and Higher Education Training Fair – Exploring Drama School Excellence

When: Tuesday 12th March 2024
Time: Morning Slot: 9.45am – 12.45pm, Afternoon Slot: 12.45pm – 3.45pm
Where: Truro College, College Rd, Truro, TR1 3XX

After a successful attendance at FDS on Tuesday 21st November 2023 we’re excited to be taking part in their next upcoming event. This collaborative event with Truro College is an exciting event for students eager to learn about UK’s top drama schools. The FDS/CUK Performing Arts and Higher Education Training Fair will look to feature bespoke workshops in Acting, Musical Theatre, and Technical/Production Arts. Each pathway includes hands-on activities, enabling students to experience the rigours and rewards of drama school training. Additionally, the event’s Q&A discussions and marketplace provide rare opportunities for one-on-one interactions with representatives from various drama schools, offering guidance on courses, auditions, and student life.

Tickets: Book your free ticket at FDS – Tickets

Come meet ArtsEd at these events for a comprehensive exploration of the performing arts and how we can help you take your first steps in your future career. These opportunities are ideal for students, parents, and educators aiming to gain deeper insights into the performing arts industry and educational pathways. We look forward to inspiring and guiding the next generation of artists!

Applications For Our Degree Programmes Close 1st March 2024.

ArtsEd offers a dynamic range of programmes in both acting and musical theatre, tailored to nurture and develop your artistic potential. Our BA and MA Acting Programmes provide a deep dive into the world of professional acting, equipping you with comprehensive skills and industry insights. For those at the onset of their acting journey, the Foundation Acting Programme offers a fundamental grounding, perfect for honing essential acting skills.

In the realm of musical theatre, our BA Musical Theatre Programme stands out as a thorough and immersive experience, designed for those aspiring to shine on stage. For beginners, the Foundation Musical Theatre Programme lays a solid foundation in the essentials of performance, preparing you for the challenges and triumphs of a career in musical theatre.

Find out more below:

Muisical Theatre Acting

In mid-November 2023 ArtsEd was inspected by Ofsted regarding our Higher Education provision and we are extremely pleased to announce we have been awarded ‘Outstanding’ in all areas once again.

This follows the recent news in autumn 2023 of ArtsEd being awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellent Framework (TEF 2023 Ratings) confirming our Higher Education provision is of the highest quality and recognised as sector leading:

“From their first contact with the school, students feel welcome and valued for who they are. Staff, leaders and trustees are highly committed to training each student to become the performer they want to be. This contributes to students being highly motivated. Their attendance is excellent, as is their application to practical and theoretical classes, rehearsals and performance.”

OFSTED REPORT 2024

OFSTED, The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.

This visit was scheduled due to the funding support offered to our students through the Dance and Drama Award (DaDA). Dance and Drama Award (DaDA) funding is allocated for the completion of our three-year Level 6 Trinity College London Professional Performing Arts Diploma (PPAD) courses in either Acting or Musical Theatre. BA (Hons) and PPAD Diploma students study together, on the same three-year courses.

As part of the inspection Ofsted look at the Quality of education, Behaviour and attitudes, Personal development, Leadership and management, Adult learning programmes, and Overall effectiveness.  As in our previous inspection in 2015, they have awarded ArtsEd outstanding in all areas:

“Students find the work demanding and rewarding in equal measure. They know the very high standards expected of them from their tutors, which they understand reflect the standards they need to achieve for careers in their chosen performance discipline. Students consistently attain the highest level of skill. For example, musical theatre students achieve fluency in executing the complex rhythm of triplet and semiquaver combinations in tap. They rehearse and practise difficult steps, demonstrating resilience to achieve new skills in syncopated and rapid footwork. Students participate fully as members of an ensemble of trainee performers. Teaching staff very successfully create a culture of collaborative working practice and an environment in which students can safely take risks without fear of critique.”

OFSTED REPORT 2024

Ofsted continued and commented that in terms of diversity and what ArtsEd does well.

“Trustees, leaders and staff have an exemplary focus on inclusion and diversity. They use the Dance and Drama Award funding highly effectively to widen participation in the training. This contributes to a high proportion of students being from minority ethnic backgrounds and feeling fully at home at the school… Tutors teach students British Sign Language so that they can work in inclusive theatre settings. Tutors teach diverse dance motifs and movement vocabulary from global dance, so that students are ready to work in a variety of genres.”

This Ofsted report was lead by Rieks Drijver, lead inspector, Christina Christou and Chloe Rendall and focused on the provision for students studying level 6 diplomas in either professional acting or professional musical theatre; both of which are validated by Trinity College London.

Commenting on ArtsEd links with industry leaders:

“Leaders and staff work exceptionally well with industry experts to make sure that the training they offer continuously reflects developments in the industry. They understand well the interplay between the school as a training organisation and the theatre and media industries, in both leading on innovation and development while maintaining the employability of their students for current job roles

Senior leaders have a thoroughly thought-through ethos for the school. They focus extraordinarily well on students’ learning through the lens of their own cultural background. They have a deep understanding of the different elements that intersect within each student’s experience while training. This approach to the development of each student as an individual person and performer runs through every aspect of the training and is fully understood by staff. Tutors place this approach at the centre of their curriculum design and teaching.”

Farida Mannan Acting Chair of the Board of Trustees

“This outstanding result is a reflection on ArtsEd dedication to an inclusive performing arts education. The report highlights our long-standing links to industry professionals and the exceptional employability opportunities available at ArtsEd students.

The inspectors report recognises the whole team and the strong partnerships across the organisation.  I would like to thank all students, staff and wider ArtsEd community for their ongoing hard work, innovation and dedication.”

The inspection was carried out using Ofsted’s further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at ArtsEd. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

Full Report (Ofsted) Dance and Drama Awards – Funding for Students

Applications for September 2024 are open until 1^st April, further details can be found below.

Musical Theatre Acting

Get ready for a week of student talent and creativity as the 2024 BTEC Fringe Festival graces our stage on January 30th and 31st. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you to the annual BTEC Fringe Festival, where our exceptionally talented students will bring their creativity and passion to life in a kaleidoscope of captivating performances.

Event Details

This two-day fringe festival promises to be a celebration of the performing arts, and we are honoured to present an array of thrilling performances, including acting, musical theatre, and dance shows, all curated and performed by our incredibly talented students.

Dates: Tuesday 30th January & Wednesday 31st January 2024

Location: Studio 39 & 102, ArtsEd, 14 Bath Road, Chiswick, London, 4 1LY

Box Office Information

To secure your place for this event, simply click the button below and book your tickets today. We kindly ask you to book separate tickets for each performance, ensuring a minimum of 30 minutes between show bookings to allow for a smooth transition. With a limited seating capacity of 40 seats per performance. In case a show is sold out, rest assured, we have a waiting list to accommodate you.

No need to worry about collecting your tickets – our warm and welcoming Front of House team will be there to greet you on the evening of each performance. For those with specific access requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact us at sdye@artsed.co.uk in advance.

Book Here

Show Highlights

January 30th

Carry That Weight (by Yesterday)

• Eleanor Rigby & Anne: Emily Hill, Bob: Toby Mocrei, Chad: José Bemrose, Kate: Elyza Debono, Lucy: Arianna Johnson, Mary: Cecilia Lihn, Rose: Alice Stonebridge
• Description: Join seven individuals in a failing band as they chase fame with Beatles songs in this heartwarming story.
• Performance: 4.45pm/7pm – Studio 102

The Wheels on the Bus (by The Living Room Theatre Company)

• Ensemble: Lily Haylock, Bella Foat, Morgan Thomas, Eva Patel
• Description: Get a bird’s-eye view of the world-famous London Bus and experience the highs and lows of public transport, with laughter, tears, and unforgettable stories.
• Performance: 5pm/7.15pm – Studio 39

One By One (by Elimination Dance Company)

• Agnes Beuselinck, Sisi Bryt, Elsie Haddrell, Alex Summers, Holly Baker, Amy Morrison, Jessie Sprousen
• Description: Follow our story of the slow demolition of a habitat being destroyed for human advantage and the effects of human activity on our world.
• Performance: 5:30pm/7:45pm – Studio 102

Pink Women (by 4 Shades of Grey)

• George: Jesse Francis-Baum, Betsie: Kitty Whiting, Lilac: Issy Grace MacDonald, Liza: Roxanne Hurrell
• Description: Delve into love, relationships, and the complexities of human connections as three different girls navigate a common situation.
• Performance: 5.45pm/8pm – Studio 39

I Wish (by Shows in the Key of Life)

• Mr. Duke: Todd Dachtler, Ms. Cherie: Tiana Cartwright, Bobby: Charles Mcdowell, Sophie: Eliza Cambei, Riley: Isabella George-Hall, Amelia: Summer Vincent
• Description: A music teacher faces a crossroads between love and passion in New York City in this classroom serenade.
• Performance: 6.15pm/8.30pm – Studio 102

The Box of Parallels (by The Gallery)

• Ensemble: Elizabeth Pask, Rosie Arevalo, Kai Plummer-Walrond, Harnoor Kaur
• Description: Join four people in an elevator for a comedic twist on unexpected relationships, secrets, and love in confined spaces.
• Performance: 6.30pm/8.45pm – Studio 39

January 31st

Desire; Love (by Daydreamers)

• Luca: Gino Ochello, Priya: Nikhita Essex, Raj: Hari Aggerwal, Emma: Rosie Brickwood, Via: Olivia Beazley, Tom: Charles Hagen, Lola: Carmen Parrilla Santander
• Description: Explore the universal desire for love as seven people navigate different paths in their quest for happiness.
• Performance: 4.45pm/7pm – Studio 102

The Maria Project (by High 5)

• Chris: Jacob Cowles, Ensemble: Scarlett Rousset, Maisie Christie, Isabella Laborde
• Description: Embark on a journey where reality is shaped by memories and experience a series of bizarre events as Chris explores his mind.
• Performance: 5pm/7.15pm – Studio 39

Power of Nature (by Truce Dance Company)

• Humans: Duncan Moffat, Matilda Ek, Emily Bromage. Nature: Robyn Vine, Polly Holmes, Rebecca Yianni
• Description: In a once harmonious coexistence, human greed for power led to nature’s exploitation. This sparked a fierce battle, where machines clashed with resilient forests, shaking the earth.
• Performance: 5:30pm/7:45pm – Studio 102

Ice Breakers (by Midnight Goats)

• Tony: Damien Weber, Anne (Penelope): Evie Williams, Anne: Jess Jenner, Raya (Trish): Kya Davis
• Description: Anne’s quest to impress her college bullies leads to a hilarious mix-up involving two teenagers and country lines.
• Performance: 5.45pm/8pm – Studio 39

Blondilocks (by DB and Co.)

• Narrator/Casting Director: Sasha Walters, Debby: Claudia Hadley, Chris, The Manager: Sam Cooper, Tish Bellemo/Choreographer: Lucy Bond-Rodriguez, Maria/Job Centre Receptionist: Tilly Wolstenholme, Dancer/Nervous Girl/Motel Receptionist: Darcie Faircloth, Bad Club Boy/Hotel Receptionist: Maikol Roque
• Description: A modern retelling of Goldilocks in the big city set to the music of Blondie. Follow Debby’s journey as she navigates the complexities of life.
• Performance: 6.15pm/8.30pm – Studio 102

Colour Scheme (by Isolated Productions)

• Brooke: Amy Scholar, Ellie: Summer-Maé O’Neil, Joe: KJ Phillip, Stacey: Lolabelle Backus
• Description: Follow Brooke Miller’s journey as an aspiring designer and discover the price of success in a competitive world.
• Performance: 6.30pm/8.45pm – Studio 39

Book Your Tickets

The 2024 BTEC Fringe Festival promises to be an extraordinary showcase of talent, creativity, and dedication. We invite you to join us in celebrating the hard work and artistic achievements of our students. Secure your tickets now, support our emerging artists, and be a part of this unforgettable event.

Book Here

The corridors of ArtsEd are abuzz with excitement and pride as the opening night of “The Drowsy Chaperone” approaches on January 23rd. This eagerly awaited production has already marked a significant milestone by selling out within just a few days of ticket sales opening.

Winner of 5 TONY Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, “The Drowsy Chaperone” is a tribute to the Jazz Age musical, filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, show-stopping numbers, and captivating music by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison.

Directed by Philip Wilson, the production is expected to be a grand showcase of the students’ skills and hard work, featuring a unique double-cast that adds diverse flair to each performance.

This success comes hot on the heels of another ArtsEd achievement: the sell-out of “Rent,” which saw all tickets snapped up in under an hour. Directed by Tania Azevedo and set to be staged from February 6th to 10th, “Rent” has further cemented ArtsEd’s reputation for high-caliber student productions.

These consecutive sell-outs are not only a testament to the quality of ArtsEd’s productions but also to the enduring love and support for musical theatre.

“We’re thrilled to be looking ahead to the final two shows of the School of Musical Theatre Season. The Drowsy Chaperone, directed by Philip Wilson, opens this week and Jonathan Larson’s Rent, directed by Tania Azevedo, opens on 6^th February. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre to see the talented 2024 Musical Theatre graduates in action.

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank the students and staff for all their continuing hard work, commitment and dedication to the training.

Applications are still open for 2024/25. Please visit the ArtsEd website for further details and the link to the application portal.

Finally, keep your eyes peeled later on in the spring for the School of Musical Theatre’s announcement of our 2024/25 season of musicals!”

Jonathan O’Boyle, Director of the School of Musical Theatre

To find out more about the Musical Theatre programmes, click below:

Find out more

As “The Drowsy Chaperone” prepares to raise its curtains to a full house, there is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation. This success serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the young performers, demonstrating that dedication and talent are indeed the keys to turning dreams into reality.

For the lucky ones who managed to secure tickets, an evening of laughter, fantastic music, and stunning performances awaits. And for those who missed out, ArtsEd encourages keeping an eye out for future productions that promise the same level of excitement and excellence.

There’s Still Time to Apply to Our Musical Theatre and Acting Courses

As the curtain is set to fall on another successful production at ArtsEd, it’s clear that the stage is just the beginning. If you’ve been inspired by the outstanding performances of our students and dream of taking your place in the spotlight, our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre or Acting course is your next step. ArtsEd is renowned for its rigorous and exceptional triple-threat training, offering an exciting and extensive curriculum designed to shape world-leading performers.

Applications for 2024 close on 1st March 2024.

Muisical Theatre Acting

We are publishing this article in response to recent media coverage regarding culture at ArtsEd. You may be aware of the historic complaints raised in the press over the last number of weeks, and that further complaints and concerns have come to light since then.

These are serious allegations and do not reflect our values or the organisation we want to be.

The Board of Trustees have instructed Ghazaleh Rezaie, a barrister from 12 Kings Bench Walk Chambers, to undertake a review of the allegations and wider governance at ArtsEd.

While it is up to Ms Rezaie to agree and finalise the Terms of Reference, we are keen that this investigation is as broad and inclusive as possible, and that people have the opportunity to make their voice heard. We are determined to establish a clear account of the events and identify lessons to be learned based on the findings.

With that in mind, an independent email address has been established for anybody that wants to contribute to the investigation. enquiries@independent-investigation.com. We would encourage anybody, including all staff, students, parents and alumni to use this email address to contact Ms Rezaie.

We plan for work on the investigation to commence as soon as possible with interviews and evidence gathering in January 2024.

We hope that this statement and plan demonstrates how serious we are about holding the institution to account and how we should be determined at all times, no matter how difficult, to judge ourselves against the highest standards.

Following the government’s confirmation that the roadmap out of lockdown is on schedule we are delighted to announce that ArtsEd EXTRA, our Saturday School, is returning to in-person teaching from 17 April!  

One of the most popular weekend Schools in West London, our Saturday Skills Academy provides Musical Theatre and Acting courses for ages 7-16. Taught by industry professionals and teachers from our Day School, Sixth Form and Higher Education courses, Saturday School pupils receive top quality training whilst making new friends and having fun! 

The Academy is run by Jessie Hills and James Wilson, both graduates of ArtsEd’s BA (Hons) Acting course. Here they explain a bit more about the return to in-person teaching this April. 

James: “We are really excited to return to face-to-face teaching however we also know that there may be anxiety among parents regarding safety. Rest assured we have lots of measures in place to be Covid-compliant, meaning pupils can concentrate on what we do best – having fun and exploring the wonderful world of performing arts!”

Jessie: “ArtsEd is a fully-functioning Day School, Sixth Form and Higher Education institution, so lots of safety measures are already in place within the building. For our Saturday classes, this means we are able to offer Covid-compliant procedures right from the first session back.” 

ArtsEd EXTRA safety measures include: 

• Pupils and parents meet Jessie outside the building for drop off  
• Temperature checks on arrival with an automated system that you just walk past 
• Hands sanitised on arrival and stations throughout the building 
• On arrival, students wait in the foyer and are then taken to class by an assistant 
• Start-times are staggered for all classes – avoids mixing of groups 
• Classes do not move – students remain in one studio and staff rotate 
• Class sizes are reduced and social distancing measures in place 
• Masks are worn in all common areas and (currently) in classes 
• One-way system in place 
• Curriculum has been adapted to promote activities with less physical contact 

Jessie: “The school building is ‘fogged’ on Friday evenings when all the full-time teachers and students have left for the weekend. This is a deep cleaning process, which is very effective. Our studios are cleaned and sanitised on a Saturday morning just before we start teaching, as well. The school really has been great in supporting us to ensure we can safely reintroduce face-to-face teaching on our EXTRA courses.” 

The need to provide online, blended learning when schools were closed means we are prepared for anything if the government guidelines change. Saturday classes will always continue in one format or another. 

James: “When schools were forced to close, we proved that we could adapt with very short notice! We are now confident in our ability to deliver classes online and can switch to virtual learning with very little fuss. But with everything opening up again, and the roadmap out of lockdown on track, we’re just eager to get everyone back in the building. Zoom has sparked some lovely, creative projects in the performing arts industry but at the end of the day live theatre is supposed to be just that – LIVE!” 

Jessie: “We’re really fortunate to have pupils and parents who have stuck with us through online classes and are returning for the new term. But there are some spaces available for newcomers, and now really is the time to join us. This term is going to be so much fun!” 

For the Summer term, the Saturday Academy is focussing on a Disney compilation show that will be performed in our in-house venue, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre.  

Musical Theatre students will be exploring songs, dances and scenes from Disney musicals and the actors will be using Disney characters to create their own unique scenes. The show will be performed in June. 

For more information and to book, click here

PHOTOS: Tess Henderson

ArtsEd is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan O’Boyle to the role of Director of the School of Musical Theatre, effective November this year. 

Jonathan, who is from Derbyshire, trained as an actor at the Central School of Speech and Drama and then went on to study directing at Birkbeck, University of London where he graduated with an MFA in Theatre Directing. He continued his training working with Jonathan Church at Chichester Festival Theatre and Daniel Evans at Sheffield Crucible. He has also held the position of Associate Director at Theatre503. 

He won Best Director of a Musical and Best Musical Production at the 2021 Off West End Awards for his production of The Last Five Years (Southwark Playhouse). His 2017 production of Hair (UK Tour/The Vaults/Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester) won Best Off West End Production at the WhatsOnStage Awards and will continue to tour internationally when theatres reopen. 

Jonathan’s extensive CV includes directing credits for Bill Kenwright (Cruel Intentions, Rain Man), This House, for Headlong and National Theatre, and a series of plays at Trafalgar Theatre; BASH, Rasheeda Speaking, and A Guide for the Homesick. He directed The View Upstairs (Soho Theatre) and for Southwark Playhouse, Pippin, and Aspects of Love. In 2019 he directed Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Cadogan Hall. 

On his appointment Jonathan said: 

“I am truly thrilled to be joining the ArtsEd family as the Director of the School of Musical Theatre.  As one of the leading drama schools in the country, with the UK’s premier training course in Musical Theatre, ArtsEd is firmly at the top of its game. I have always had the most joyous time working with the students at ArtsEd, and I can’t wait to continue that work and shape the future of the course.  

We are entering a challenging time in the arts sector. As we begin the road to recovery after the devastation of COVID-19, drama training will continue to evolve and change with the times. I am looking forward to that challenge, being at the centre of a school that strives for excellence.” 

In addition to his own directing career, Jonathan has worked with and assisted leading directors including Susan Stroman, Jonathan Church, Jeremy Herrin, Daniel Evans, Clare Lizzimore, and Jessica Swale. He assisted Christopher Wheeldon on An American in Paris at the Dominion Theatre and Neil Armfield on The Judas Kiss in Toronto and New York. 

For ArtsEd, Jonathan directed Nice Work If You Can Get It (2019) and will direct The Wedding Singer later this year. His appointment starts in November, after the autumn half-term, as he is directing Top Hat at The Mill at Sonning in September. This production will be Jonathan’s last show for a while as he shifts focus to concentrate on this new, exciting role. Jonathan will succeed Chris Hocking, Principal of ArtsEd since 2017 and Director of the School of Musical Theatre since 2006. 

Chris Hocking said: 

“I am delighted to confirm this fantastic appointment and welcome Jonathan to the ArtsEd family! His award-winning theatre career speaks for itself, and I’m certain he will add huge value to ArtsEd’s musical theatre training in what is an ever-changing landscape. I very much look forward to working with Jonathan as I hand over the School of Musical Theatre curriculum to him.” 

Photo: Nick Rutter

In a week of positive news for the performing arts and education sectors, we are delighted to announce a major donation of £250,000 from David Ian. This key gift launches our fundraising campaign for the ArtsEd Playhouse, the final phase of a ten-year, £20 million investment in our Chiswick home. This summer will see the official opening of the most recent element of this exciting project, a three-storey extension into an underused courtyard that includes new rehearsal rooms, dance studios and classrooms. The project was launched in 2013 with the creation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre.  

The ArtsEd Playhouse will replace the old Studio Theatre, enabling students to develop the skills required to perform in more intimate spaces and ensuring that we can continue to stage more than 20 professional standard productions per year. 

David Ian was appointed as a trustee to our board in November 2020. 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.  

David said: 

“As a long-time friend to, and supporter of ArtsEd, I was delighted to be appointed to their Board of Trustees last year. Their Chiswick home has undergone a remarkable renovation and extensive addition to its facilities, ensuring it will remain at the forefront of performing arts training in the UK for many years to come. I’m pleased to kickstart their final round of fundraising, which will allow for the building of the ArtsEd Playhouse and complete their capital campaign.” 

David took a tour of the new building in December, and Chris Hocking, Principal of ArtsEd, was pleased to show him the rehearsal studio named after him.  

Chris said:  

“David’s generous donation means we are now close to finishing what has been a ten-year project to improve and increase the facilities of our Chiswick home. This investment in ArtsEd demonstrates David’s commitment to supporting us as we provide world-leading training in the performing arts, despite the many challenges to our industry over the last year. I can’t wait to welcome audiences to the new ArtsEd Playhouse very soon!” 

Photo: Robin Savage

Photo: MA students rehearsing Love & Information, 2020. Photographer: Steve Gregson

“The biggest misconception about our course is that it’s academic – a theoretical study,” says Simone Coxall, joint leader of the MA Acting course at ArtsEd, “when it couldn’t be further from that!” 

Simone speaks with passion, as does her co-leader, Richard Neale, when it comes to describing the course. “It’s vocational training. Rigorous, focused and intensive vocational actor training. People hear ‘MA’ and assume they will be writing essays about theatre.” Richard jumps in to qualify, “but our MA a one-year, professional actor training course.” 

This is important for many reasons, says Richard. “There is the fundamental difference between academic and vocational in terms of the curriculum and learning, which is no small thing. Then there’s the funding element. Although the ArtsEd MA is a vocational course it is still eligible for government funding, a fact that is not widely known. People may be put off at the prospect of fees, but financial help is there if you look for it.”  

An online search for ‘postgraduate funding’ reveals encouraging government support for MA studies (more than £11k can be available for UK residents, for example), and there are several other options for support. Student finance, in the form of loans similar to those for undergraduates, is available. Funding options exist for single parents, low-income families, care givers and care leavers, disabled applicants, migrant students and more. Richard strongly advises applicants to look through all the information on the government website, which is linked at the bottom of this article. “Funding isn’t necessarily reliant on applicants having an undergraduate degree, either”, he says.

Which brings us to another misconception about the Acting MA – the idea that you must have an undergraduate degree in order to apply. “You don’t need to have done a degree to qualify for our course,” Simone confirms. “In terms of funding it’s not a necessity, as long as you fulfil other criteria and as long as the course you are applying for is eligible, which ours is. But entrance is not all about funding, anyway.” 

So, what is the criteria for the ArtsEd MA in Acting? What are Simone and Richard looking for in applicants? “Applicants need to know they want to be an actor!” says Simone. “An applicant must be hungry, curious, hardworking. We are seeking a really interesting, diverse cohort of students that demand something of themselves in a rehearsal room. I can’t give a tick list of attributes or experience we are looking for, because our course is very much led by the group. Every year will be different.”

Richard agrees. “We get inspiration from our students. The impetus comes from within the year group. It’s the lived experience of the students, and the wonderful individuality of those experiences that affects how we study and interpret a text. We aren’t gatekeepers of art. Art is a shared experience, and that’s how we work, every day with our MA students.” Simone is also keen to emphasise that “we aren’t looking for the finished article. Just as with any Actor training course, we’re looking for potential, and an eagerness to learn.” 

As joint course leaders, the pair complement each other brilliantly, often helping to finish a thought or evolve an idea. As Richard puts it, “we work differently towards the same outcome, and wrestle with ideas together, bashing around until we come to a meeting point and then ‘bing!’ we hit upon the same solution!”  

When it comes to their teaching style, and methods, they are completely aligned. “Simone and I teach through offers, suggestions, and guidance” says Richard. “It’s about personal exploration as opposed to ‘this is right, that’s wrong’, which is vocabulary that we don’t use on our course. It’s about unlocking, harnessing, and sharpening the thoughts and curiosity of our students.”  

As new course leaders, Simone and Richard take seriously their responsibility to consider the relevance and ongoing development of their curriculum, particularly given the current conversations and progress across the industry. “We are interested in keeping hold of the traditions that are constructive, and rethinking those that are less constructive, less useful now. We retain only the techniques and training that are actually useful for the actor working in the modern, progressive world.” 

Supporting them in their vision is Julie Spencer, Director of the School of Acting, to whom they directly report. Since her appointment two years ago, Julie has developed the ArtsEd Acting curriculum to decolonise techniques and training, and bring the students’ cultural experiences into the conversation, throwing off the long-established Eurocentric approach of ‘we say, you do’. In a recent article by Lyn Gardner for The Stage, Julie set out her stall: “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.” 

Why a one-year MA? 

Simone and Richard are keen to emphasise that the MA Acting course is not a three-year course simply crammed into one. “This is a course for many different types of people, different ages, with different skills and experiences, but perhaps with one major thing in common, which is that they have not taken the ‘standard’ route to vocational drama training” says Simone. Both go on to discuss the various circumstances a person might find themselves in when considering a one-year course instead of a three-year degree. Some are older than the average undergraduate, and perhaps pursued a different avenue before discovering a passion for acting. The course attracts a lot of musical theatre graduates, both from the UK and, particularly, America who decide they would like to spend a year sharpening their acting skills and technique. Others have some professional experience already and don’t feel it necessary to go right back to basics with a three-year course. The age range in the current MA cohort is 22 to 55, which Simone and Richard say is “brilliant – so exciting! It’s closer to what you’d expect to find in a professional company of actors.” 

What about the training? 

“The one-year format isn’t a diluted degree,” says Richard “it’s just accelerated. It’s intense. It’s highly focused work, eight and a half hours a day, five days a week, where we jump straight in, full throttle. There’s less time for slowly discovering oneself, which is fine because our students don’t sign up for that – they want to get cracking from day one, exploring a text and bringing it to life. Just like in a professional rehearsal room, that’s what we do!” Simone describes the MA process as “grabbing everything from around you and really making demands on yourself in that one year of focused work.” Both are keen to underline their understanding of the emotional challenges of a career in the performing arts and their commitment to preparing their graduates for the rigours inherent in the profession. “Our students leave us with the tools and skills they need to keep themselves physically and emotionally robust for the industry,” says Simone.  

The future 

Simone and Richard are excited to develop the MA in Acting course at ArtsEd and continue to push the boundaries of what it can achieve for its students. Both are strong advocates of diversity. “It becomes a positive feedback loop” says Simone. “If we create a truly diverse cohort our course becomes responsive and reactive to that cohort. The ‘who’ and the ‘what’ of our texts and our work is moved and shaped by that unique set of actors, working collaboratively. It becomes transformative.” 

For more information and to apply: MA in Acting

For more information about MA funding: UK Government website