In September 2017, a group of young performers joined Stagedoor Learning, not really sure what to expect. In the two years since then, they have performed in numerous full productions, including That’s Show Last Century, a variety show, in the Everyman Studio, The Changing Room for National Theatre Connections both at the Everyman and The Egg in Bath, If Music Be The Food of Love, a showcase of Shakespeare and song, Zero for the Young Dudes, another contemporary play, again, in the Everyman Studio, and The Battle of Boat, at the Parabola Arts Centre. As well as these, they have created and performed community pieces, at Pittville Pump Rooms, in the open air for Cheltenham Volunteering Festival, for the Everyman Theatre Association and on the main stage of the Everyman, in the 100 Years On gala to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1, and at Cheltenham Town Hall. They have also been involved in professional productions and professionally led productions, including An Inspector Calls, On The Mend and Coram Boy, as well as gaining professional, paid work in projects such as Millionials by local playwright Shirley Halse, entertaining the crowds at the Wychwood Festival with Tiny Wild Fox productions, and working regularly for training company Iqarus.
They have experienced life in many departments of the Everyman, from marketing to education, from wardrobe to workshop. They also experienced life as front-of-house staff working alongside theatre company Hammerpuzzle in the Kings Theatre in Gloucester. Hammerpuzzle, led by a wonderful team including Bryn Holding & Tamsin Kennard, also let them sit in on rehearsals, really getting an insight into the creative process. The students also had a look at the level of research & development that goes into a piece of professional theatre when working with Theatre Temoin. All of these are experiences which will benefit them in their future careers, and we could not be more grateful to the professionals who have let them into their offices, rehearsal rooms, theatres and lives.
As well as performing in commercial venues, and for public audiences, from 6 weeks into the course, they have managed to watch (for free) a phenomenal 48 professional productions, mostly at the Everyman, but also, thanks to the kindness, interest and support of Strike A Light in Gloucester, some fabulous pieces at the Guildhall. We also had one brilliant trip to London to watch a brand new piece of theatre – Me & My Left Ball, written by and starring Jack James Ryan. Jack is one of a large number of actors, directors and writers who have worked with the students to develop their skills in workshops. The list is long, but includes actors Ben Thorne, Craig Mather, Hannah Louise Howell and Charlie Ryan, directors Bryn Holding, Kirstie Davis, Paul Milton, Ailin Conant and Ben Woodhall, Musical Director Jez Francis, vocal coaches Ria Keen and Michael Clifton, theatre practitioners Louse Partridge and Ian Wainwright, and a number of people who seem to fit into many different boxes and are of unlimited talents like Tamsin Kennard, Joe Hackett and Vinnie Heaven.
So what’s next for our Class of 2019? The vast majority of them auditioned for drama school and university courses, and were very successful, with every student receiving offers. This leaves them in the perfect situation of being able to make choices – what to accept and what to reject, whether to go this year or to take a year out. After two years of phenomenal experiences though, it is doubtless that their enhanced knowledge and understanding of the performing arts industry meant that they were more successful than the vast majority of 18 year olds applying for acting courses.
Gabriel Anderson decided to stay near home and so applied, successfully, to study for a BA in Performing Arts at the University of Gloucestershire.
Hannah Charman was offered a place to study BA Performing Arts at the University of Gloucestershire, as well as a place on a Teaching Assistant course.
Saskia Clifton was offered an unconditional place with the Fourth Monkey Actor Training Company. and had recalls at both LAMDA and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Mary Dunsby was offered an unconditional place with the Fourth Monkey Actor Training Company and an unconditional place to study for a BA in Acting at the University of Gloucestershire.
Angel Gale undertook her first professional acting contract in her second year at Stagedoor, working with Ice & Fire and performing in their verbatim piece This Is Who I Am. She has chosen to explore other options, though, and is going to embark on a law degree.
Sean Kilty received offers to train with Fourth Monkey and also to study for a BA in European Theatre Arts (Contemporary Actor Training) at Rose Bruford College.
Rose Mizen applied, successfully, for a place on the BA Acting course at the University of Gloucestershire.
Izzie Robinson will continue her studies at the Met Film School in London.
Joe Stanley received offers to study for a BA in Acting at Staffordshire University, Bath Spa University, Arts University (Bournemouth) and Chichester University, as well as for a BA in Film Acting at Chichester University and for a Foundation Degree at Oxford School of Drama.
Macie Timms was offered a place at Fourth Monkey, as well as places to study BA Acting at Worcester University at Arts University (Bournemouth)
We are immensely proud of all of our students, and wish them all the luck in the world as they head towards creative and exciting futures.
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