Students put their theatre skills to the test

STUDENTS at Warrington’s Priestley College have been putting their singing, dancing and acting skills to the test during professional musical theatre and acting workshops with Liverpool Theatre School.  
The masterclasses were delivered as part of an outreach initiative by Liverpool Theatre School, whose alumni include Warrington musical theatre star Oliver Ormson. The performer, who is also a former Priestley College student, trained in professional musical theatre at Liverpool Theatre School before going on to land prestigious roles in The Book of Mormon in the West End and The Addams Family tour.
Nancy Serjeant, tutor at Priestley College, said: “During the interactive sessions, the team at Liverpool Theatre School gave students a valuable insight into the basic principles of both musical theatre and acting.
“We have had some excellent feedback from students, who enjoyed having the opportunity to pick up practical tips and advice on working towards a career in the performing arts industry.”
Adam Douglas, course director at Liverpool Theatre School, added: “I was extremely impressed by the level of raw talent, passion and ambition among the students at Priestley College.
“As part of the masterclasses, we are aiming to help widen access to professional performing arts training for everyone and to raise awareness of the support that is available for talented students. I hope the sessions will help inspire students and encourage them to consider professional theatre as an attainable career choice, regardless of financial background.”
Liverpool Theatre School, which recently became the first stage school in the country to axe its audition fees, is just one of two training organisations in the North West to offer the highly regarded Trinity College London Diploma in both Professional Musical Theatre and Professional Acting. The stage school also offers Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) and a number of funded places including scholarships with The Stage and the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation.
More than 90 percent of its graduates have gone on to achieve success in theatre or further education.
www.liverpooltheatreschool.co.uk