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28 Jun
Education NewsPerformance Studies students are a half term Halloween hit at Trentham Monkey Forest
For students all over the country, last week’s half term meant a week of private study and relaxation. However students from AS Performance Studies took the opportunity to gain some practical experience by volunteering at the Trentham Monkey Forest for a week of spooky Halloween related activities for young children.
There were a range of activities on offer from dances to story telling and during some shows, even the audience was encouraged to participate. The students said; “For some of our dances we involved the children, even the mums and grandparents wanted to take part too, it was a lot of fun.” The students performed five shows a day between 11am and 4 pm on a rota system that they developed themselves.
As well as putting their dramatic skills to the test, the experience offered a number of other challenges. Student Isabelle Vodrey, who took part in the performances said; “There were a lot of challenges we had to face during the week and we had to think on our feet to solve problems. We had to use our initiative.”
The students were happy to volunteer their time, free of charge, to benefit their own personal development and to give enjoyment to the local community. Isabelle added; “We gained a lot of skills by doing this such as increased confidence and the ability to manage our time. We also developed customer service and street theatre skills, as the visiting public were paying customers. We can use these skills for job applications in the future.”
The success of the performances gained a glowing report from the management at Trentham Monkey Forest. Managing Director Sue Wiper said; “Halloween was a great success thanks to all of the students who worked very hard. They were very much appreciated and were all great”. General Manager Matt Lovatt also added; “I have been thoroughly impressed with the students.”
Tutor Emma Stanway, who teaches AS and A2 Performance Studies, spoke of the ever strengthening relationship between the College and the local community. “We started doing two days of performances last year and this year it was extended to the full week. The Halloween shows are now a regular date in our calendar. We’ve also got Christmas performances coming up at a retirement home in Kidsgrove. I am already planning for two weeks of Easter Holiday activities at Trentham Monkey Forest. All of this demonstrates how the college is gaining a good reputation within the local area and the performing arts departments’ commitment to arts in the community.”
“I’m very proud of all the students and everything they have achieved”, she added. “They acted professionally and managed their own time. They also managed the content of the show by themselves. I gave them a brief and each group had to interpret that and put their own spin on the story; organise their own rehearsals and meetings with me.”
Some of the best feedback though was from the public. Holly Knight said; “After one of the performances, a parent approached me and said that our performances had really enhanced their visit to Monkey Forest. When people say things like that, it makes you feel really confident and gives you the belief that I’ve made the right career choice.”
The public and management at Trentham Monkey Forest were not the only ones to acknowledge the students’ contribution to the half term activities as the local press also ran a feature to promote the event. Student Liam Wilshaw was featured as the lead photograph in The Sentinel coverage of the event.