The College’s vibrant performing arts department is currently busy rehearsing for no less than four shows as part of its Final Major Project season. 

 

Course Manager and Lecturer Darren Mawdsley, Artistic Director of MAD ‘ED THEATRE, said: “We’re a busy department, but this time of year is especially busy preparing our performers for Final Major Projects that are the culmination of their University of the Arts London (UAL) qualification. It’s busy, but exciting!”

 

Just back from touring primary schools with plays written and produced by themselves, Level 3 Diploma Performing Arts students were straight into casting and rehearsal for a production of Our Town (Thornton Wilder) directed by Darren. Meanwhile, Level 3 Extended Diploma Performing Arts is on full lock down rehearsing for their final showcase at the College: a musical adaptation of popular TV series, Bad Girls (book by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus, Lyrics by music and lyrics Kath Gotts).

 

Musical Director and Lecturer, James Hall, who has also worked with Italia Conti and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is thrilled to have been given permission to stage what he describes as, “a hugely fun show,” going on to add that, “this is a great way to celebrate the end of the students’ journey with us, before they go onto university or drama school.”

 

With Level 2 Diploma Performing Arts students in rehearsal for Uprising, an original performance, and Level 1 Diploma nearing the end of their rehearsal process for Brainstorm (Ned Glasier and Emily Lim), our students and staff are certainly being kept busy. 

 

Choreographer and Lecturer, Stephen Mason, told us: “It’s a busy time of year, yes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.” Stephen, who is also the Head of Dance at Kingston University, continued: “That’s what people come here to do. Showing what we can do as a department to the public is the best bit!”

 

Acting Lecturer, Neil Duggan  who trained as a professional actor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama said: “Let’s not forget our A Level A2 Drama and Theatre students who recently performed four abridged plays to a visiting examiner. Across the year, there is so much creative output, its great and our students are like one big family."

 

Productions are performed in our state-of-the-art Sarah Siddons Theatre, Paddington Green Campus. If you would like further information about them, or if you would like to ask questions about applying to study performing arts at the college, you can email the team directly at performingarts@cwc.ac.uk  or click here to apply online.