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Education NewsWork Experience in Performing Arts
Live Link Project - Performing Arts Work Experience 51110
Four of our AS Performing Arts students have set up their own miniature ‘Touring Theatre Company’ as part of a work experience programme at the college called ‘The Live Link Project’. The four were selected by their Performance Studies teacher, Emma Wootton, to pilot the project and act as the flagship group.
“In their first few weeks at the college these four students in particular have quickly showed real aptitude for performance and I was confident that they would work well together in a professional environment.”
Commissioned to haunt guests at Trentham Monkey Forest
During the half term holiday, the whole nation seemed to be struck by ‘Halloween Fever’ and Trentham Monkey Forest was no exception.
The four students had been commissioned to work over the Halloween weekend at the Monkey Park, working two five hour shifts, performing five shows each day to the paying public. The students’ brief was to entertain the guests with a 20 minute Halloween themed show and then coordinate workshops with the youngsters who were visiting the park.
Jason Wilkes, formerly of Haywood Engineering College, said: “We started rehearsing for the show a few weeks ago; using any spare time we had after college and between lessons to use the performing arts facilities to put together an entertaining show. It was quite a challenge as we really had to think carefully of our target audience - families and young people. Although the theme was Halloween, we had to be careful not to scare the youngsters who would watch us.”
Laurie Weston (pictured right), formerly of Brownhills High School said: “It was such a fantastic experience and really helped us to see what the public expect from a show. They had all paid £6.50 for a day out at the park and it was our responsibility to enhance their experience and entertain them. Part of the challenge was to encourage people to come along and watch our show, this helped us to become more confident and comfortable speaking to the public and we definitely learned how to attract the crowds after our first couple of performances.”
Laurie added; “In the future I would like to become a Drama Teacher, places on university courses and the current jobs market are so competitive at the moment. Taking part in a project of this nature and showing the commitment to give up my weekend and own time for rehearsals means that I will hopefully stand out from other students.”
Sue Wiper, Director of Monkey Forest, had commissioned the students to work at the visitors’ attraction, Sue said;
“The students brought a sense of realism to the activities at Monkey Forest this Halloween. Their professionalism and enthusiasm really came across and everyone enjoyed listening and joining in the activities that they created. Fantastic, well done and thank you from everyone on Monkey Forest. I was delighted to be able commission them for further work during our other special events.”
The students are now busy preparing for their next event at Easter. More students will be involved in the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Emma has introduced the ‘Live Links Project’ to her department to enable students to have the opportunity to gain some real work experience in the Performing Arts sector. Emma is hoping that following this successful pilot, the project will continue to expand as more students take up the opportunity and more companies commission work.