Introduction to the Course

As any introduction into a new topic, a breakdown of the course was required. We were informed on how many units the first year course entails and what we’d be doing; this included theatre trips, workshop information, the residential trip to Scarborough, work placement opportunities and available work both voluntary and paid.

“What is theatre to you? Why do you act?” The first question posed before us helped to decipher why we chose performing arts and what we hoped to achieve completing the course. I believe in the educative purpose of a production and leaving the audience questioning or even possibly adapting things in their life.

As a part of induction week we were given the task of creating a piece which embodied the entirety of a famous film (or in some cases films) in no more than 6 minutes. Enabled free reign, my group were given 'Jaws' to interpret; other groups were given The Titanic, Harry Potter, Star Wars and Frozen.
The second year actors were also asked to put a piece together for us; it was cleverly strategised and involved a few of the first year students unknowingly. It was a promenade piece (which was also sight specific) that discussed segregation within sexuality, racism, sexual abuse, religious views and domestic violence. A rather powerful piece highlighted the effects of jokes on such matters and how quickly it can turn into something rather upsetting.

We also watched the production of 'The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time' at the Piccadilly Theatre. It was my second time watching it but with a different cast, which was more engaging.