10.09.2019
Yesterday, ArtsEd’s BA (Hons) Acting and BA (Hons) Musical Theatre students celebrated three years of hard graft, arriving in caps and gowns to collect their degrees and all qualifying with flying colours.
Surrounded by family, friends and the ArtsEd staff that have nurtured their talents throughout their time here, this year’s graduation was a joyful occasion, full of anticipation for the future of the talented graduates of 2019.
Principal, Chris Hocking, opened the Ceremony, inspiring the gradates with his words of wisdom:
“Congratulations for making it to the end – Three years, but I bet it feels like it has gone in a blink of an eye! You have all done brilliantly to get through our training. It is demanding and intense and there has been blood, sweat and plenty of tears. But it’s so worth it! We know that you will all go on to brilliant, varied and fascinating jobs in your journey through the business of show! Remember to keep learning and always be curious!”
Julie Spencer, ArtsEd’s new Director of the School of Acting and Chris Whitehead, Head of Third Year Musical Theatre, also addressed the audience, encouraging the graduates to be kind, to be brave and to be bold.
Addresses on behalf of the graduates were given by Nicole Baisden, representing the School of Musical Theatre and Michael Workeye, representing the School of Acting.
We were delighted to welcome Peter Polycarpou as our Guest Speaker. The wonderful triple-threat star of stage and screen underlined the importance of looking after yourself in the cut and thrust of the business:
“Mental health is crucial in this industry – look after who you are. Be prepared and be resilient. Give yourself space and time to be quiet and endeavour to bend, not break, like bamboo in the wind.”
Degrees were conferred by City, University of London, and celebrations continued back at ArtsEd where graduates joined the ArtsEd Alumni Network – ensuring that we can stay in touch and celebrate their successes well into the future.
And finally, some of the class of 2019 had some words of wisdom for their first year selves.
“Enjoy every minute – and face every challenge with a smile.”
“Don’t underestimate the power of rest!”
“Make every day count…it will all go by in a flash!”
