Headlines
Performing Arts Academy takes off
Performing Arts Academy Established
22nd October 2010
Over the past few years, the Theatre Studies department at Hereford Sixth Form College has been supporting students who wish to develop their performing skills and gain a place at the internationally recognised National Youth Theatre.
This year, in a move to parallel the hugely successful academy programme run by the PE Department, the Performing Arts Academy has been established. With its base in H5, the Academy now offers individually tailored acting and/or musical theatre singing and dance coaching to any student who wishes to get involved in any aspect of the Performing Arts. This year 50 students are members, taken from both first year and second year groups, with all of them now preparing for a wide range of acting exams, from solo speeches to choreography and musical theatre singing. Each student is allocated a coaching time during a free lesson in their timetable, so the size of coaching groups is kept to the absolute minimum.
This year, in a move to parallel the hugely successful academy programme run by the PE Department, the Performing Arts Academy has been established. With its base in H5, the Academy now offers individually tailored acting and/or musical theatre singing and dance coaching to any student who wishes to get involved in any aspect of the Performing Arts. This year 50 students are members, taken from both first year and second year groups, with all of them now preparing for a wide range of acting exams, from solo speeches to choreography and musical theatre singing. Each student is allocated a coaching time during a free lesson in their timetable, so the size of coaching groups is kept to the absolute minimum.
All students have the opportunity to take Trinity Drama/Musical Theatre exams, a qualification rated highly by many universities, with some institutions now recognising these qualifications as UCAS points. 40 of the Performing Arts Academy students are also applying to audition for the National Youth Theatre. The numbers of students who wish to get involved in Performing Arts in the College is really remarkable. Glee Club has started for the first time this term, meeting in H5 every Friday lunchtime, and the numbers attending have been excellent. Glee’s first performance will be very soon. This term will also see the Upstage Production Company present two full length plays in the College's Performing Arts Centre – the surreal black comedy The Trial by Steven Berkoff, and the powerful historical drama Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. With a cast of 35, and a large technical crew and publicity team, this term will see well over 150 College students involved in performing in College, from acting to singing and dancing. There is still plenty of opportunity to get involved. If you want to get involved in Performing Arts in the College – see the Theatre Studies Department in PA2 any break or lunchtime.