CALLYWITH COLLEGE

This September I'll be teaching my first sessions at Callywith College with the acting students on the Performing & Production Arts course. The course is designed to prepare students for progression to degree-level study or entry into the performing arts industry.

While the core focus of the course is acting, I'll be running a Musical Theatre session with the students and then following this up with additional sessions for those wanting to specifically apply to Musical Theatre colleges.

Choosing audition material is one of the hardest decisions a student has to make, and so guiding them based on my ten years of taking auditions at Laine Theatre Arts will give them an added level of confidence. I'm looking forward to helping the students with the next part of their journey to becoming professional performers, and also beginning my relationship with Callywith College.

HAIR - 20 YEARS ON

On 12th September 2005 it was the first preview of the Gate Theatre production of Hair, the official Press Night wasn't until Thursday 22nd. It was a reimagining of the original production, and was set in the present day. It still took the themes of the original, free love and anti-war demonsatration, but switched Vietnam for Iraq.

It was a bold reinvention of the piece by director Daniel Kramer, and it was an exciting opportunity for me to be both Musical Director and Musical Arranger. We were also lucky enough to have some new lyrics written for us by the original lyricist James Rado, which helped to add a further updated aspect to the production.

The cast and creative team have all gone on to have the most incredible careers, and it still remains one of my favourite shows out of the many I have done over the years.

The cast was made up of Charles Aiken (Claude), Gary Amers (Woof), Joanna Ampil (Sheila), Robyn Isaac (Jeanie), Lee Reynolds (Dionne), Golda Rosheuvel (Hud), Graham Tudor (George), Kevin Wathen (Berger), Nancy Wei-George (Crissy) along with Stuart Armfield, Miriam Elwell-Sutton, Kate Gillespie, Connor McAllister, Craig Perry and Laura Selwood.

The creative team was Daniel Kramer (Director), Soutra Gilmour (Designer), Charles Balfour (Lighting), Mick Potter (Sound), Ann Yee (Choreography), Penelope Challen (Costume), Steve Hill (Musical Director), Stephen Brooker (Musical Supervisor) and Stephen McCarthy (Music Preparation).

JASON THOMAS PERFORMING ARTS

I'm happy to confirm that I'll be joining Jason Thomas Performing Arts as their new Musical Director and Vocal Coach from September. I'll be taking over the reigns from Thomas Hare, who is leaving after an impressive ten years at the college. It's always chalenging stepping into an established course, but I'll be concentrating on continuing the amazing work that he has already achieved while also adding my own stamp to the lessons and performances.

Jason Thomas Performing Arts is based in the centre of Truro and combines a two-year Foundation Course in Dance and Musical Theatre, an Associate of Trinity College London Diploma, as well as evening classes for both children and adults. The broad range of both age and ability requires varying approaches, and so it will be great to draw on the experience I've gained in the various colleges I've worked at over the past twenty years and pass that on to the new and existing students.