By Charli Ward – Learning & Skills Officer: December 2014
2013/14 really pushed Making Theatre students into the spotlight and there were endless opportunities for them to show their talents. Five Full Time Making Theatre students were chosen to be part of the cast of Gift this summer. In just two months, Gift reached audiences of over 2000 people in London, Glasgow and Bradford, and it was wonderful to see talented students put their training into practice by being involved in a professional touring show.
Full time students were able to showcase their individual talents to a very high standard during their Contained project which allowed them to create 15 minute pieces that audiences experienced in, on and around a shipping container. Some of the work they created included a haunted house, a beauty salon and two students even turned the shipping container into a crime scene. Their individual performances were performed in April 2014 to over 100 people and audience members were blown away by the student’s creativity:
“The performances felt together but so different from each other. Excellent work by the entire crew!” – Daryl Capper
“Very good way of giving all the students a platform. Inventive and creative! A good idea and good entertainment.” – Andrew Riley
Last year we made the transition to Arts Award as our accreditation partner allowing the students to gain a nationally acclaimed, transferable qualification. Students are able to make work that they are interested in and build on the theatre skills that best reflect their future ambitions. It has allowed making theatre to really explore the arts, visit the theatre, develop their presentation skills and even deliver their own workshops.
For the last three years Mind the Gap has run a Part Time Making Theatre course that has focused upon dance and performance skills. It’s been a successful model to engage with new students and a perfect first step towards progression on to the Full Time course. We are delighted to say that this year that Khadija Afza has done just that, and it’s a pleasure to have her with us for four days a week now.
Part-time students have had a busy and productive year and their end of year Showcase in July was a lovely opportunity to see the skills they have developed. The course featured development of dance technique in both street and contemporary styles and building choreographic skills. The students grew in confidence and ability throughout the year and impressed us with their commitment and enthusiasm. Part Time tutor Karen Bartholomew says:
“It was an absolute pleasure to work with the students last year. They worked really hard and developed some important skills. I was particularly proud of their end of year Showcase and would like to congratulate them on their achievements!”
This year, Making Theatre has a record 15 Full Time Students and 11 Part Time Students who are now enjoying 2 separate courses on a Monday and Thursday. They’re already producing some outstanding work and we can’t wait to see them grow throughout 2015 and beyond.