The Alumni Newsletter Central school of speech & drama, university of london

issue 16 | january 2011

A MESSAGE FROM CENTRAL’S PRINCIPAL, PROFESSOR GAVIN HENDERSON There will be alumni who remember similar times – postwar austerity, the three-day week and power cuts of the mid- 70s, the recession of the early 80s, and the boom and bust of the early 90s. We came through it all, and as we did so, we aspired to better times and fairer access to that essential ingredient that powers all advances and achievement: education. What is different today is the seismic change taking place in how education will be resourced. There will be huge cuts to Higher Education, but considerable funds will also have to be generated to fund the loans that will supposedly ensure everyone’s right of access to university or specialist college.

Elisabeth, Donne and Jane Buck Gavin Henderson (by Patrick Baldwin)

We can look back on the last decade as a golden era, certainly in terms of funding for Higher Education and indeed for the arts. We now move into uncharted waters.

The impact of the cuts at Central will be the loss of 100% of our core funding in what is known as ‘Band C’. This will hit all the specialist arts colleges and conservatoires. What we don’t know is whether our extra ‘Exceptional Funding’ will survive. We have to assume that it will. This is a top-up grant which takes account of the very special circumstances facing our sector – equivalent to ‘laboratory status’ (which will be preserved for the so-called ‘STEM’ subjects under Bands A and B, which include Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Arts and Humanities have been marginalised since they are not viewed as primary engines of the economy. This assumption should be seriously questioned, as one of the most formidable UK economic achievements of recent years has taken place in the ‘creative industries’, in which theatre, in its widest sense, has played a vital part. Central does not have major industrialists to button-hole the politicians on our behalf as the CBI does for other industry. Many of our sector’s notable protagonists – such as the BBC and the National Theatre – have their own battles to fight. Our world is a tapestry of small-scale enterprises, but we have a level of resilience, determination and passion that many major corporations would love to emulate.

Ironically, art thrives in times of hardship and oppression. We present a mirror to the world; we question the actions of those in power; we stimulate debate; and above all we bring humour and joy to ease the grim realities faced by so many. Theatres are full, though many that depend upon public subsidy are threatened. Theatre, and indeed all the arts, nourish society – and whilst it may seem invidious to translate everything into economic terms, this is the defining issue of the moment. It is important that arts work undertaken in schools, communities, hospitals, prisons and so forth be recognised for its economic impact as well as for its innate social value. Impressive statistics show how much can be saved by preventative medical care, by diminished vandalism, reduction in reoffending, building confidence for the deprived, and enhanced presentational and promotional states in the workplace which engagement in the arts does so much to nurture. Can we really develop considerably increased levels of private philanthropy to bridge the gap? For Central the principal challenge must be to raise independent funds for bursaries and scholarships for students who may otherwise miss out. Graduates who have gone before and benefited from years of free, or substantially subsidised, education may feel a duty of care and protection for something cherished and too easily lost. Central has good foundations on which to build with confidence. We do not have a deficit, indeed we have reasonable reserves, and our recruitment record is excellent, but we can only build with the support of our wider community … and that community is essentially our alumni, and the contacts and friends who you can bring into our fold. For further details about ways in which you can show your support for Central, please read more on page 10.

STUDENT PROTESTs On 10 November 2010, over 500 Central students, staff and alumni marched together through central London as part of the national demonstration to oppose cuts in education funding. “The support was fantastic and made the day a tremendous success,” said Chris Priddle, Central’s SU President. “We represented Central peacefully and with creativity. We took with us a cannon to symbolise ‘education under siege’, a giant vulture representing ‘tearing the heart out of education’ and had a funeral parade to mark the ‘death of education’. Unfortunately a tiny minority of people caused disturbances on the day, but the real demonstration was fantastic. It showed the determination of staff, students and alumni to fight these devastating education cuts.” (Photos care of UCU and Central’s Student Union)

Your newsletter is about Central alumni in all fields of work (in the public arena or not) and our content depends on your contributions. If you have news or an experience to recount, please contact the Alumni Office at [email protected]. Tel: +44 (0)20 7449 1628.

2 | Alumni NEws

Awards and Nominations

Congratulations to our alumni for their many marks of achievement.

We do our best to find out about alumni who receive awards through the press, other alumni and our faculty. Please let us know if you receive an award or know of someone who has. Thank you! Performers: Are we on your agent’s email press release list? Please ask them to add us – [email protected].

King’s Cross Award and National Playwriting Award Evan Placey’s (MA WfSBM 07) play, Mother of Him, won both the King’s Cross Award for New Playwriting in the UK and the Under 30s National Playwriting Award in Canada. Mother of Him had its UK premiere at the Courtyard Theatre during the summer.

BAFTAs and BIFAs Riz Ahmed (MA CA 06) and Andrew Garfield (BA A 04) have both been nominated in the British Independent Film Awards; Riz for Best Actor for his role in Four Lions and Andrew as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Never Let Me Go. Both Riz and Andrew have also been long-listed for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Andrew was also honoured as Breakthrough Actor at this year’s 14th Annual Hollywood Awards Gala.

Grammy Award

Clockwise from top left: Andrew Garfield (by Dillon Bryden); Rachel Parris (by Carl Proctor); The Secret Garden (care of Dan Marsden); Tracy Ifeachor with David Suchet (by Vicki Couchman); Matthew Holt

Matthew Holt (SM 88) recently won a Grammy for Best Short Form Video for his production design of the Black Eyed Peas’ music video Boom Boom Pow. Matthew has also been nominated in the past for a Music Video Producers Association award for Best Art Direction for Beck’s Girl and for Best Video for Adele’s Chasing Pavements.

Ian Charleson Award Tracy Ifeachor (BA A 07) was presented with the Ian Charleson Award Commendation certificate by David Suchet in August 2010. Tracey was commended for her performance as Rosalind in As You Like It at the Curve, Leicester.

Brighton Fringe Awards Shirley Jaffe (S 54) was nominated for the Star of the Festival award at this year’s Brighton Fringe for her performance as Nana in the musical comedy Here Comes the Bride. Dan Marsden (BA TP 08), Alan Fielden (BA TP 08) and Ben O’Neill (BA TP 09) worked together on an Open Door Enter production of The Secret Garden which won two awards: the People’s Choice Award and the Argus Angel Award for Best Production. The show also received a four-star review from The Independent.

Funny Women Award Rachel Parris (MA AfS 07) was recently commended in the Funny Women Awards 2010 for her stand-up musical comedy show. The awards are an annual UK-wide competition for women with over 350 entries from across the country. The finals of the competition were held at the Leicester Square Theatre, and Rachel was awarded the second runner-up prize.

Alumni NEws | 3

International Playwriting Paul Wallis (MA ATP 99) recently won Trinity College London’s first ever International Playwriting Competition for audiences of children and young people. The competition, which encourages aspiring playwrights, culminated in a performance of Paul’s play, Normal, at the Garrick Theatre.

The Stage Award Mercy Ojelade (MA ATC 09) received the Best Actress Award at The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence for her performance in Roadkill, Cora Bissett’s immersive, site-specific play about sex trafficking. Mercy’s award adds to a haul for the show which includes Fringe First, Herald Angel, Amnesty Freedom of Expression, Total Theatre and Holden Street awards.

Broadway World UK Awards Gina Beck (BA A 04) and Rebecca Lock (BA A) have respectively been nominated for the Broadway World UK Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for their parts in The Phantom of the Opera.

Future Leaders Awards Shereen Phillips (BA DATE 10) and Candice La Touche (BA DATE 10) have both been recognised as part of the Future Leaders scheme, an annual award to find 100 of the UK’s most outstanding black students.

Total Theatre Awards Adrienne Quartly (MA ATP 03) has designed the sound for Reykjavik, a multi-sensory installation performance which was nominated for a Total Theatre award for innovation in Edinburgh.

Clockwise from top left: Rebecca Lock and Gina Beck; Reykjavik (care of Adrienne Quartly); Mercy Ojelade in Roadkill (by Tim Morozzo)

4 | Alumni NEws

Alumni Side-by-side The theatre world is relatively small, and inevitably our alumni find themselves working together on a variety of projects from time to time. If you have a story of collaboration to tell, please get in touch with the Alumni Office.

NATIONAL THEATRE

Joseph Mercier in a PanicLab production of Giselle (by Luc Boulianne)

PANICLAB PanicLab was founded just over two years ago by MA ATP 2008 graduates Hannah Ballou, Zlata Camdzic, Clara Giraud and Joseph Mercier. To date it has created four shows and performed in the UK and Canada. The company

OPERA NORTH During October 2010 Catherine Alexander (Senior Lecturer Acting, Collaborative and Devised Theatre) directed The Gypsy Bible, a lyrical, dark, atmospheric immersion into the magic and myth surrounding the creation of the violin for Opera North. The show included Central alumni Max Mackintosh (BA A 09) and Nadia Morgan (MA ATP 03) in the cast, was designed by Ruth Sutcliffe (BA TP 08) with the assistance of Rebecca Brower (3rd year BA TP), and stage managed by Simona Bitmate (BA A 10) and Sally Inch (2nd year BA TP). The Gypsy Bible (care of Katherine Alecander)

places the body at the heart of its work, challenges the distinction between dance and theatre, and creates performance that is personal, politically engaged, distinctly contemporary and raises issues of the body, identity, gender and sexuality.

Neil Stuke (S 91), Catherine Tate (S 93) and Oliver Chris (BA A 00) are currently starring alongside each other in Alan Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings at the National Theatre. The show, which runs until March 2011, offers an entertaining look at the misery and high-jinks of an average family Christmas. Season’s Greetings (by Phil Fisk)

Alumni NEws | 5

OLYMPIC SWIMMERS PROJECT Cressida Brown (BA A 06), Artistic Director of the site-specific Offstage Theatre company, is to direct a newly commissioned play, Amphibians, by acclaimed writer Steve Waters. Currently being developed at the National Theatre Studio, the piece is based upon interviews with past and current Olympic swimmers and will premiere in January 2011 at the Bridewell Theatre. The production has been supported by Central through the Centre for Excellence in Theatre Training and involves over 15 Central alumni, including: Movement

Eric Loren, Carol Starks, Corey Johnson and Sara Stewart

WEST END Central alumni Paul Chahidi (S 94), Corey Johnson (S 88) and Sara Stewart (S 88) co-starred in the West End and national tour hit Enron. The dialect coach for the show was Julia Wilson-Dickson (T 71), who taught voice to both Corey and Sara while they studied at Central.

Amphibians (by Phoebe Rudomino)

Director, Kate Sagovsky (MA MS 07); Media Designer, Cate Blanchard (BA TP 09); ASM, Rebecca Davey (BA TP); Creative Apprentice, James Cawson (BA TP 10); Cast, Leanne Davis (MA AFS 07), John Fitzpatrick (BA A 08), Jennifer Malarkey (MA MS 09), Danielle Meehan (MA ATP 07), Liz Wilks (MA ATP 10), Abigail Unwin-Smith (BA A 08), Sarah Calver (BA A 08) and recent graduate interns Freddie Errington, Lucy Skilbeck, Michael Gentle (BA DATE), Ruby Glaskin, Laura Milnes and Liv Wright (BA TP). To find out more, please visit www.offstage.org.uk/amphibian

6 | Alumni NEws

Alumni in the Community Central Alumni are shaping communities both at home and abroad through arts projects, teaching and charity work.

MAKEBELIEVE ARTS Ross Bolwell-Williams (DE 08) and Alice Edwards (DE 06) joined MakeBelieve Arts in 2009. Working as part of the creative team, Ross is the Creative Projects Facilitator, and Alice is the Creative Projects Coordinator. The company’s pool of freelance Creative Associates also includes a number of Central’s Applied Theatre and Theatre Practice graduates.

Lee Green Community Centre Launch (care of MakeBelieve Arts)

MakeBelieve Arts, a social enterprise and a theatre and education company, offers programmes to develop the creative potential

of children aged 2 to 15, and, in 2008, it was awarded the Quality Badge from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom. Committed to providing communities with creative and enriching experiences, the company opened the Lee Green Community Centre in Lewisham in partnership with Lewisham Youth Service and Lee Green Lives in July 2010. At present the centre runs a diverse range of projects, including a youth theatre, parent and toddler music groups, family play days, keep fit classes, art exhibitions and a knitting circle.

SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ART IN KENT

Gillian Stott

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE SUPPORT Gillian Stott (MA DMT 08) is a registered Dramatherapist specialising in working with adult and child survivors of domestic violence and abuse. She currently works for Gloucestershire County Council with disadvantaged children in mainstream schools throughout the Cotswolds. She has also worked with vulnerable adults with learning disabilities and with elderly and disabled people in both residential and day-care centres. In 2009 Gillian travelled to North Australia where she facilitated a Continuing Professional Development workshop: ‘Introduction to using Dramatherapy with Child Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse’. Gillian will return there again in 2011 and plans to offer further CPD work in the Tablelands area. She is passionate about rights and advocacy issues for vulnerable people and has recently joined the British Association of Dramatherapist’s Equality and Diversity Subcommittee to undertake research in this area.

SODA students (by Victoria Temple-Morris)

Victoria Temple-Morris (PG Dip AMT 03) set up the School of Dramatic Art (SODA) in September 2009 in the Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

The school is aimed at 6 to 18 year olds and gives students the opportunity to be involved in community productions, festivals, competitions, and exams as well as their own shows. Victoria initially began teaching in children’s theatre schools to fund her own education and, as her acting career developed, teaching became a regular additional income. She created SODA to give children the opportunity to study drama as an independent subject, and the school has gone from strength to strength during the past year. The students competed in the Tunbridge Wells Speech and Drama Festival, where they received a special commendation, performed at Trinity Theatre during the Chinese New Year celebrations and performed by invitation for the local mayor.

Alumni NEws | 7

COSTUME DESIGN RAISES AWARENESS OF CHILD ABUSE Karen Hobbs (Ad Dip CD 1992) recently embarked on a costume design project to raise awareness of attachment issues that develop as a result of neglect and trauma in early life. Karen will be exhibiting her work at her studio, and the project also launched the new therapy suite at PAC (formerly known as The Post Adoption Centre). Karen discovered the organisation as an adopter herself and hopes that her work will help to illustrate the difficulties encountered on a daily basis by those affected by these issues. For further details of Karen’s work visit www.greatwestern studios.com Happy Days (by Karen Hobbs)

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER Handheld Arts, a new performance collective formed by Alexander Garfath (MA ATP 07), Sara Saddington (BA DATE 09), SarahJane Wingrove (MA ATP 07) and Ilana Winterstein (MA ATP 07), are currently researching Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in war veterans for their new show, Paper Tom. Paper Tom was first shown as a work-in-development piece at the PULSE 10 Fringe Festival in May. Following the positive feedback they received, the company continued developing the piece, and this led to a meeting with Talking2Minds, a leading charity established to support war veterans. Talking2Minds offers help to those suffering from the symptoms of PTSD using a coaching programme called ‘Spectrum Therapy’. Over an intense four-day period, the company met veterans of several conflicts and listened to their stories, as well as witnessed the positive, life-changing shifts they made as a result of this unique therapy. Handheld Arts was also fortunate to receive support for this second development period of the play from Arts Council England, with additional funding from Theatre Venture.

Paper Tom (by Chris Hudson)

GLASS ONION Founded by Rebecca Crowther (MA AT 10) and Jayne Allen (MA AT 10), Glass Onion is a theatre and arts collective that brings together people from a variety of backgrounds who may not normally have the opportunity to experience theatre to participate in the creation of shared performances and theatrical events. The company visits organisations such as homeless shelters and care homes across London, Birmingham and Oxford and seeks to develop theatrical skill and creativity whilst encouraging individuals to celebrate themselves, their communities and their stories as well as exploring issues and themes pertinent to them.

8 | Alumni NEws

SCREEN NEWS

Central alumni star on both the big screen and the small screen.

Clockwise from top left: Catherine Tate (care of Twentieth Century Fox); Martin Freeman (by Colin Hutton care of Hartswood Films Ltd); Emma Campbell-Jones (by Ric Bacon); Amy Manson (by Alexandra Cameron); Victoria Atkin (care of Lime Pictures Publicity); Danny Horn (by Clare Park); Philip Glenister (care of Ken McReddie Associates)

Fox Films, Gulliver’s Travels Catherine Tate (S 93) stars as the Queen of Lilliput in Gulliver’s Travels, Fox’s big-budget adventure comedy starring Jack Black as the free-spirited travel writer who finds himself a giant among men on a mystery island in the Bermuda Triangle. Gavin Fitch (BA TS 96) also collaborated on the project as Art Director. BBC, Sherlock Holmes and MGM, The Hobbit Martin Freeman (S 95) starred as Dr. Watson in the BBC’s adaptation of Sherlock Holmes and has also recently been announced as the next Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, a two-part prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, due to be released in 2012. Appearing alongside Martin will be James Nesbitt (S 88) who will play Bofur, one of the dwarf company that accompanies Bilbo on his quest.

BBC, DOCTOR Who Recent graduate Danny Horn (BA A 10) appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas special playing a younger version of Sir Michael Gambon’s character, Kazran. Danny auditioned for the part just three days after finishing his course at Central and five days later found himself filming opposite Sir Michael, Katherine Jenkins and the Doctor himself, Matt Smith. Sky1, Mad Dogs Philip Glenister (S 90) is to star in Mad Dogs, a new Sky1 high-definition drama about a group of school friends who get more than they bargained for when they go abroad for a retirement party. The drama is due to air on Sky1 and Sky1 HD in four 60-minute episodes in the spring of 2011. BBC, Outcasts Amy Manson (BA A 06) is set to star in a new BBC space-drama, Outcasts. The eight-part drama series created by Ben Richards for BBC One follows a group of individuals faced with a unique opportunity to build a new and better future on another planet.

Channel 4, Hollyoaks Recent graduate Victoria Atkin (MA MT 09) has landed a major role in the Channel 4 series Hollyoaks. Victoria plays the part of Jasmine/ Jason Costello, a transgender teen going through the transition from female to male. “I am so thrilled to have been given the opportunity to play such a gritty and challenging role,” said Victoria. “It is the first time a soap has looked at this topic in such detail and the research for the part has been terrific. My year at Central was definitely a vital part in preparing me for such an incredible opportunity.” ITV, Taggart Emma Campbell-Jones (BA A 04) can be seen playing Katie Wallis in episodes 1 and 6 of the new series of Taggart. Already showing in Scotland on STV, the show will be airing elsewhere from January on ITV. Emma has also recently finished filming a guest lead role in Holby City.

Alumni NEws | 9

ALUMNI IN THE BUILDING

PASTURES NEW FOR MICHAEL GRANDAGE

Michael Grandage (by Thomas Haywood) Geoff Colman and Michael Feast

Neil Stuke

Alumni return to Central as visiting speakers, to collaborate on student projects, to attend reunions, to mentor and to encourage Central students in a wide range of ways. If you plan to visit, please contact the Alumni Office on [email protected].

Alex Bingley (MA VS 03) is currently teaching at Central on MA Voice Studies, MA Acting and MA Acting for Screen courses. Petrus Bertschinger (BA TP 84), Matt Watkins (BA TP 06), Alex Stone (BA TP 06), Ian Hawkins (BA TP 01), Joanne McDonnell (BA TP 94) and Charlotte Padgham (BA TP 99) have all recently been working with Stage Management students from the BA Theatre Practice course Mads Schaltz Christensen (MA MS 09) has been teaching movement workshops with BA Theatre Practice puppeteers.

has included a plethora of stage, film and TV roles, and his most recent appearance was this autumn at The Chichester Festival Theatre in Chekhov’s A Month in the Country. Andrew Garfield (BA A 04) visited Central during October 2010 and gave a talk to BA Acting students. Vanessa Leadbitter (BA TP 10) has been working with BA Theatre Practice Scenic Art students.

Jamie Crabb (MA PPR 07) is teaching on the BA Drama, Applied Theatre and Education course.

MA Movement Studies graduates Diane Mitchell (09), Karin Fisher Potisk (09), Ita O’Brien (07), Dave Nolan (09), Mads Shaltz Christensen (09) and Vicky Araio Casas (09) have been teaching at Central this term on both MA and BA courses.

Recent graduates from MA Applied Theatre Practice Rob Drummer, Liz West and Liz Wilks have been in the building giving talks to the new cohort of MA ATP students.

Neil Stuke (S 91) popped into Central in October 2010 to discuss a possible visit for BA Actors to the set of his show Season’s Greetings at the National Theatre.

Robin Evan-Williams (MA AMT 06) recently gave a talk to current students about her work with the Festival of Niagara on the Lake in Canada.

Recent graduates Colin Waitt (MA AfS), Claudio Beghelli (MA TP) and Mi Yoo (MA VS) provided invaluable support for the International Student welcome session during October. The session, which aims to help reduce anxiety levels by meeting and talking to staff, alumni and other new students before the main inductions, was attended by over 80 new international students.

Visiting Central in November for the first time in many years, Michael Feast (S 67) found that there was much to see around our buildings and much to discuss in terms of the School’s development. Michael’s acting career

It was announced in October 2010 that Central’s President, Michael Grandage, is to step down as Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse. In a statement Michael said, “I have spent fifteen very happy years running subsidised theatres and I am now keen to develop my work as a director in other ways.” Michael, who previously ran the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, took over the 250-seat Donmar from Sam Mendes in 2002. Initially some sceptics suggested that the theatre would struggle to maintain the reputation it gained under Mendes, but Michael presided over a string of acclaimed productions, and the theatre went from strength to strength during his nineyear leadership. Michael is formally due to step down in March 2011, and all here at Central wish him the very best with his future projects; we are ever grateful for his continued support as Central’s President.

welcome to the central graduates 2010 Central’s graduation ceremony was held in the spectacular surroundings of London Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall on 13 December 2010. Over 1,000 people watched the graduating cohort receive their degrees, which were conferred by Professor Paul Webley, Deputy ViceChancellor of the University of London. We would like to take this opportunity to offer our congratulations to all our new alumni and extend a warm welcome to your first newsletter!

10 | Alumni NEws

Support your central If you believe that your Central training had a positive influence on your career, please consider whether future students deserve the same chance. There are many thousands of Central alumni – if enough people become involved, together you could make all the difference. Find out more below. On 12 October 2010, Lord Browne published his review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance. It has raised the inevitable prospect that institutions such as Central will have to raise the level of fees they charge students dramatically to compensate for drastic losses in funding from the Government. This will have a correspondingly profound impact on the ability of our students to attend Central. Central will have to find new ways to help students fund their fees and living costs. We will also need to find new sources of funding to maintain core parts of the training we provide. To do nothing risks failing to maintain our position of excellence in the field of theatre training: a position that generations have striven to establish over the past 100 years. The training that Central provides has had a transformational impact on the lives of thousands of our alumni and, in order to safeguard our future and that of our students, Central is seeking support from our alumni, friends and benefactors.

Support is sought for the following areas > Assistance for students experiencing financial hardship meeting living expenses or fees. (Our students typically spend far more time in classes, practical work and placements than those in non-specialist universities, often finishing late at night. It is therefore more difficult for them to earn supplemental income.) > Workshops and placement costs > Travel expenses for students’ outreach projects and further learning during the holidays

> Funds to help enable students to take part in public festivals, thereby gaining exposure and experience > Termly student public production costs > Equipment and facilities > Student recruitment drives, both at home and abroad > Enhancing the profile and reach of our events and publicity materials > Expanding our network of contacts both inside and outside the industry We are aware that our alumni have immense potential to support us, not only financially but also in non-financial ways, because you move in circles in which we may not have direct contacts.

Ways in which you can show your support Become an annual donor Direct debit donations can be arranged, and no matter how modest the individual contribution, these aggregate to significant sums. If you live abroad we can assist in making the best use of your tax arrangements or provide options for paying in non-sterling currency. Please contact the Development Office on the details below for further information. Single donations One-off donations made by cheque or credit card will be gladly accepted. Please complete and return the enclosed donation form in order to make a single donation.

Remembering Central in your will A will is a very personal and sensitive document, and we strongly advise you to consult your legal advisor before drafting a new will or updating an existing one. It is entirely up to you whether or not you wish to disclose any of the details of your will to Central; however, it would help us to plan for the future if we know of your intentions in advance. Introduce us Perhaps an individual or organisation you know would be interested in sponsoring, or donating to Central or providing a contribution in kind. Could you introduce us? Help in kind Alumni who are engaged with corporate organisations may be able to provide relevant in-kind support (for example by contributing towards our termly productions through the provision of technical supplies or providing a venue or hospitality for a fundraising event). Alternatively, you may be able to support our activities by volunteering to contact your year group, by agreeing to act as a figurehead for a fundraising campaign, or by supporting us in a charitable trust application.

Contact Us If you would like to show support in one of these ways, or have ideas of your own, please contact: Caroline Clark, The Development Office [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 7559 3997 To make a donation to Central, please see the Donation Form enclosed with this newsletter or contact us as above.

THE CENTRAL ALUMNI SURVEY – Help us help you The Central Alumni Association works hard to provide services which are useful to our alumni and which support Central as an institution. In 2011/12 we intend to make some significant developments to the online services we are able to offer our alumni, and your ideas and opinions are an important part of our planning efforts. In November 2010 we opened an online survey and received hundreds of responses.

The survey covers questions such as: How useful would you find a free Central email account for life? Would the ability to search for and post job adverts online help support your career? And what type of specialist discounts and offers would be of interest to you? Thank you to all those alumni who have already taken part and, if you haven’t done so already, please complete the survey by visiting www.survey.cssd.ac.uk/central_alumni.

Alumni NEws | 11

BA THEATRE PRACTICE ALUMNI SUPPORT CURRENT STUDENTS During induction week, new firstyear BA TP students were given the opportunity to visit both the National Theatre and the Royal Court.

Pieter Hofman (by Eugene Swartz)

Wendy Craig (by Patrick Baldwin)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS! A heartfelt thank you to all alumni who have donated to Central since our last newsletter. Special thanks go to alumnus Pieter Hofman (SM 67) who retired recently from the internationally acclaimed Amsterdam Muziektheater. Pieter has signed a Gift Agreement for an annual donation to our Scholarships and Bursaries fund for the next 15 years.

Special thanks also go to Wendy Craig (S 54) for her generous donation. We have received numerous donations from our alumni and we hope to publish a full list of names in the summer edition of the newsletter.

Al Parkinson (BA TP 03) arranged a talk with key production team members from Danton’s Death at the National before the students saw the performance, and Ruth Hawkins (BA TP 09) organised a similar visit at the Royal Court before students attended a performance of Tribes. Al and Ruth work in the Education departments of their respective theatres, and our thanks go out to both of them. If you are in a position to provide similar visits for students, please contact the Alumni Office on [email protected]

ALUMNI BENEFITS As Central alumni you can take advantage of benefits here at Central as well as special discounts through our industry partners. Please check our website regularly for up-to-date details. Pieter Hofman, Jason Barnes and Gavin Henderson

DONORS and sponsors EVENT Our Principal, Gavin Henderson, hosted a small Thank You reception last term for some of our donors who have for many years been loyal supporters of the School. These included suppliers who have donated, philanthropic trusts or foundations supporting financial hardship or awards for excellence, industry organisations providing prizes or bursary awards and individuals who have provided prizes or committed to Annual Giving. Our guests met those Central staff closely involved in their areas of interest and the students who are the current recipients of their generosity. They concluded the evening by joining Professor Henderson for the evening’s public production of A View from the Bridge, by Arthur Miller, performed by the BA (Hons) Acting students.

Current discounts and benefits include: > Central box office concessions > Central library concessions > Discounted rehearsal space hire > 20% off Michael Wharley Photography > 10% off subscriptions to PCR (Production and Casting Report) > 30% off the RRP at The Guardian Bookshop To find out how to access these offers, please visit www.cssd.ac.uk and click on the ‘alumni’ link.

12 | Alumni NEws

Alumni Abroad

Central Alumni are spread far and wide. In addition to the notices below, read more about their activities in the ‘Where Are They Now?’ section of our website.

australia

CROATIA

William Zappa (S 71) worked for a number of years after graduation at the Dukes Playhouse in Lancaster before moving to Melbourne, Australia, to take up the post of Head of Movement at the Victorian College of the Arts. He was also able to continue his acting career, and, having worked at the College for four years, William decided to return to acting full time. Currently he is working on his own one-man show, Winter’s Discontent, and hopes to one day tour the show to the UK.

Jelena Vukmirica Makovicic (MA CA 05) has been living and working in Zagreb since 2006 as a freelance artist and movement teacher. In 2009 Jelena co-founded her own theatre company, ActLab. Her first monodrama, Identity Card, which explores conformist behaviour and the lengths to which individuals are willing to go in order to fit into societal requirements, was well received by audiences. ActLab is currently working on a new project entitled Waiting Room. This work-in-progress explores issues surrounding pregnancy and has coincided with the birth of Jelena’s own baby boy.

Joan Melton (AD VS 90) recently headed a major research study at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, focusing on breath management strategies of elite vocal performers across a wide range of performance genres. Categories included: acting, classical singing, musical theatre, jazz, pop, rock, and country.

BRAZIL

Clockwise from top left: William Zappa; Joan Melton (by Hunter Canning); Geoffrey Wade (self portrait); Amelia White (by Geoffrey Wade);Pink, Me & the Roses (by Marco Caselli Nirmal); Rita Gaspar; Marcio Mello; Jelena Vukmirica Makovicic

Marcio Mello (MA CA 05) teaches Text and Physical Precision at the Sao Paulo School of Theatre (Escola SP de Teatro) in Brazil and has recently joined forces with a director to research and develop classical texts. They are currently rehearsing Chekhov’s The Harmful Effects of Tobacco and have started work on a production of Hamlet with a plan to use a British and Brazilian cast performing the play in both Portuguese and English.

ICELAND Thorsteinn Gunnar Bjarnason (MA AfS 07) moved home to Iceland shortly after graduating from the MA Acting for Screen course and undertook directing and performing in his first feature film, Johannes, which was released in October 2009. The film went on to become the most successful Icelandic film of 2009 and stars some of Iceland’s most well-known comedy performers, including Stefan Karl (Robbie Rotten from Lazytown). Thorsteinn is now preparing his next film, Rollywood, which is due to be filmed this spring.

Alumni NEws | 13

A NEW INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI GROUP The East Asian Alumni Network Recent graduate Josephine Yim (MA TS 10), who now lives in Hong Kong, has set up the first of Central’s international alumni networks. Andrew Mathys in Pygmalion (by Marc Broussely)

ITALY Benno Steinegger (MA ATP 08) has founded a theatre group called Codice Ivan, which won Italian theatre’s leading awards celebration, Premio Scenario, in June 2009 with the show Pink, Me & the Roses, which is currently touring around Italy.

MEXICO Rebecca Root (MA VS 08) recently attended the Voice And Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) annual conference in Mexico entitled Many Languages, One Voice, where she hosted a peer-reviewed lecture-workshop on voice work for the transgender client. Rebecca is also the winner of the 2010 Clyde Vinson Memorial Scholarship for ‘excellence in the dawn of a career’ bestowed by VASTA. Upon her return to the UK, Rebecca was temporary Course Leader for MA Voice Studies at Central.

POLAND Agnieszka Tomaszewska (MA ATP 2006) is a costume designer who has worked on numerous theatre and TV productions in Poland. She has also collaborated on a film production based on Dorota Maslowska’s debut novel Wojna Polsko-Ruska (Snow White and Russian Red) directed by Xawery Zulawski and the Polish version of the Disney teenage sitcom As the Bells Rings. Agnieszka has also worked as a stylist for various music videos, photo sessions, commercials and independent film productions and was recently employed by the TVP television station as a scenographer.

PORTUGAL Rita Gonzaga (MA DMT 09) spent four years in London working as a counsellor and studying for her MA in Drama and Movement Therapy. Now at home in Lisbon, Rita is a private practice psychotherapist and works with children in the mental health service. She also organises workshops and liaises with other professionals to promote dramatherapy. “It has been a great

challenge to work in an emerging field in my country, and I love being back here, although, I do find myself missing the London buzz sometimes!”

USA Geoffrey Wade (née Keller) (S76) and Amelia White (née Pamela) (S76) live in Los Angeles and spent the summer playing opposite one another in Lincoln as President and Mary Todd Lincoln at the Lincoln Amphitheatre, Indiana. Other recent projects for the pair include Amelia’s performance in Misalliance at the South Coast Repertory theatre, and Geoffrey’s in Tale of the Allergist’s Wife at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Melissa Kollwitz (MA VS 09) is an adjunct professor at New World School of the Arts in Miami, teaching voice, speech, accents and dialects. Melissa has also recently had a piece of writing exploring the work of Central alumna Catherine Fitzmaurice (T 58) accepted for presentation at the International Song, Stage and Screen Conference at the University of Winchester. John Longenbaugh (Adv Dip CT 93) is the PR manager for the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle. John has also continued to work as a freelance director and playwright, and his last two plays, My Time with the Lady and Arcana, received excellent reviews. His latest play, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, premiered at the Taproot Theatre, Seattle, during December.

INTERNATIONAL TOURS Ian Andlaw (BA TP 07) has been stage managing on the world tours of A Disappearing Number and Shun-kin for Complicite, and Leonor Lemée (BA A 06) and Andrew Mathys (MA AfMT 06) have both been touring with Tour de Force Theatre productions this season. Leonor performed the part of Toinette in Le Malade Imaginaire by Molière, and Andrew is playing Freddie in a European Tour of Pygmalion until April 2011.

The East Asia network, which Josephine is coordinating through Facebook, will connect alumni living in or visiting the area with news of shows, projects and work opportunities of interest and will serve as an informal social networking group. If you are not already a member and would like to link with the group please search for ‘CSSD Alumni - East Asia’ and request to join. We are keen to set up similar groups in other areas of the world, especially America, Australia and Canada, where we have high numbers of alumni residing. If you would like to be involved in coordinating a group, please get in touch with the alumni office on [email protected] for more information.

INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI AMBASSADORS Calling all alumni with links in the US, Canada, Hong Kong and India We are on the search for alumni who are willing to join our International Alumni Ambassador scheme. Ambassadors are alumni who live or work overseas and who actively support Central by spreading the word of our international auditions and overseas activities to their networks using promotional materials we supply. If you would like to find out more about the scheme please contact our Student Recruitment Manager on [email protected]

14 | Alumni NEws

CENTRAL ALUMNI TOP THE LIST OF THE 10 GREATEST ACTORS OF ALL TIME In September 2010 The Stage launched their Greatest Stage Actor series asking readers to decide who they think is the greatest stage performer of all time. The shortlist of ten included three central alumni: Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave.

Vanessa Redgrave (care of Gavin Barker Associates Ltd)

When discussing a performer’s greatness, the critical judgements employed to measure technique are often viewed differently if that performer is a woman. The work of an actress is always discussed in relation to something else. Redgrave’s current Broadway success in Driving Miss Daisy was recently noted in the British press not for her acting but for proving that at 73 “she can still make an impact”. When younger, her acting was prefaced by an observation of her beauty – and even younger still, with an easy association with her father’s skill. There have also been periods when her work as an artist has been critically framed by her politics, her brother, her sister, her daughter and the man in her life. Maybe we should talk about her acting. Vanessa Redgrave is a very fine actor indeed. She trained for eight years at the Ballet Rambert School and subsequently graduated from Central in 1958. Her film career (she has made over 80 films) quickly followed, including Behind the Mask (1958), A Man for all Seasons (1966), Camelot (1969), Charge of the Light Brigade (1968), Isadora (1969) and The Devils (1970). Redgrave joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in July 1961 to play Rosalind in As You Like It at the Aldwych, Katharina in The Taming of the Shrew at Stratford and Nina in The Seagull all within three years of graduating.

Nearly 30 years after playing Nina, Redgrave’s daughter Natasha Richardson (S 83) would play the same role at the Queen’s Theatre opposite Redgrave as Madame Arkadina. Richardson was quoted at the time as saying, “Having a legend for a mother is one thing, but facing her on stage night after night is quite another. It was scary. The first day, I was suddenly aware that I’m on the stage with this overwhelming actress. It made me want to run and hide.” I have followed Redgrave’s London stage appearances for over 25 years, but one particular performance will remain lodged with me forever. Redgrave was cast as Mrs Alving in David Thacker’s 1986 Young Vic production of Ibsen’s Ghosts. At one point Redgrave’s Mrs Alving, with tears in her eyes, says to the character Pastor Manders, “I just want to say this: that when you pass judgement on me, you are simply taking it for granted that popular opinion is right.” Then, in the silence that followed, she took out a handkerchief and wiped her nose. Still in silence, she then tucked the handkerchief away. The smallest of moments. A simple action. I was so taken with her performance that I booked to see it again the following week. To my amazement, at the same moment she performed exactly the same movements, again with tears and again in silence. Craft. Shape. Technique. Storytelling. I had thought that this was a one-off action from an actress at the top of her game. The second time I saw it, I realised that this is

what great acting is really about: the invisible made visible. Knowing that this moment was as crafted as a musical phrase and not (as I had first thought) the accidental spontaneous physical response to an unprepared moment did not spoil or diminish my appreciation of it. It inspired me. There are rare moments in the theatre that have completeness – moments that capture one’s dogged perseverance at returning time and time again only to be disappointed or short changed or even outraged. These moments transcend any thoughts of being entertained or having a night out. At such moments, I have seen Vanessa Redgrave standing on stage.

Judi Dench (care of Julian Belfrage Associates)

Over the following ten weeks The Stage ran feature articles presenting each of the top ten in turn. Geoff Colman, Central’s Head of Acting, put forward Vanessa Redgrave’s case:

We are delighted to report that on the 15 December Dame Judi Dench was named as the winner of the Greatest Stage Actor poll. Our congratulations go out to both Judi and Vanessa for their outstanding achievements.

Alumni NEws | 15

WARDROBE THE CENTRAL CAT A memoir by Kirsty Rowe

Wardrobe the cat Talia Scholar

BA (HONS) THEATRE PRACTICE Alumna Talia Scholar is cruising to success I have been lucky enough to have constant employment since graduating from the BA Theatre Practice course in 2007. I specialised in technical and production management, and in 2009 I joined Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a Stage Technician. After two contracts I was asked to join the ‘start up’ team for their newest ship, the Allure of the Seas. In October 2010 I flew to Turku in Finland to join a team of thirty working on the ship in the dry dock shipyard where we finished equipping all the entertainment venues and loaded in all the scenic elements.

dance show called Blue Planet, which features an enormous mountain set piece with three trampolines. This show has come a long way from the usual song and dance revues seen on cruise ships. We are challenging the performers and the technical staff and using state of the art lighting, sound, projection, scenic and flying equipment. We also have CHICAGO – The Musical onboard direct from Broadway, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with the original lighting designer, Ken Billington, as well as the producers, director and choreographers.

The Allure of the Seas is currently the largest ship in the world and is now partnered with Dreamworks Animation. On board we have an ice rink with two ice shows called Ice Games and Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon on Ice, an aqua theatre with diving, acrobatic and flying shows called Ocean Aria and Dreamworks’ Madagascar. In the Amber theatre, which is the venue I primarily work in, we have a fantastic aerial, acrobatic and

We are currently on our maiden voyage from our homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida heading down to the Caribbean and Mexico, and I feel extremely proud and privileged. The productions are amazing, as are the creative team, and I’ve learnt so much from working with companies at the forefront of our technical and entertainment industry.

When I joined Central in 1986 as Costume Supervisor, I inherited ‘Wardrobe’, the Central Cat: a long-haired brown tabby with attitude. So named because of his tendency to spend his days in and around the costume department, Wardrobe would amuse himself by leaping out of boxes at unwary Stage Management students. Wardrobe had access to the building by means of the fire escape and cat flaps that used to exist in most doors. His food came out of the petty cash, and the lovely George Eddy (School caretaker for over 30 years) ministered to his needs at weekends. Knowing that Wardrobe was getting on in years, I took him home with me during one of the holidays, and my husband, Derek Bergmann (Tech 70), immediately recognised him – “That’s Sherry!” It seems Sherry (AKA Wardrobe) was found as a stray kitten in the late 60s by Marianne and Gerry Romaine who ran the school canteen. They brought him in, named him Sherry, and he lived in the building from then on. By 1988, Wardrobe’s health was deteriorating, and he retired to my house, having attached himself to me, and become, to all intents and purposes, my cat. Wardrobe made it to the grand age of 20 – a very good age for a cat – and now rests in peace in our back garden, still wearing his bow-tie collar.

16 | Alumni NEws

After Central In this section we like to hear from alumni whose careers have taken unexpected or interesting turns since graduating.

TERENCE DOUGHERTY (S 69) As a Tour Director the world is your stage I left Central in 1969 with strong ambitions, high hopes and a choice between two jobs! The Tempest in Manchester or a job with Stuart Burge in Nottingham. Manchester was a known Central team: Hall, Pisc and Eliot; Nottingham was a step into the unfamiliar. I chose Manchester and had a wonderful time, but, in hindsight, it was probably the wrong choice, and I should have challenged myself more strongly. I stayed in the theatre for a few years and also dabbled in business and education (even teaching and directing music at Central!). Terence Dougherty

“Every day of my working life I use my imagination to persuade, entertain, cause mirth and tears among an amazingly varied audience.”

Over the years life took several different turns, but then 20 years ago in 1991, I found a fresh branch of show-biz to satisfy my creative needs. I discovered a travelling stage with an everchanging audience and became a tour director / tour guide in the travel business. Every time I read poetry to my customers, I pretend Cis Berry is listening, encouraging or cajoling me. Every time I sit at a piano in a hotel or an Irish cathedral and play to my clients, I imagine George Hall is in my fingers with his light touch and inventive countermelodies. When I describe history and illustrate

with the poetry of Yeats on a Kerry mountainside or tackle a Shakespearean role that no theatre would give me by a stream in Stratford, I no longer think of my illustrious contemporaries who have triumphed where I have not! They have made their wonderful ways, and I’m proud of them, but every day of my working life I have the opportunity to use my imagination to theatrical advantage and attempt to persuade, entertain, cause mirth and tears among an amazingly varied audience of backgrounds, nationalities, ages and faiths. So you won’t find me in The Stage, or at award ceremonies, or in the reps, or the soaps, or the panel games, but I’m most definitely still an actor/musician with constant work and good pay! Today my theatre was a wet, windswept, rocky hillside in County Clare where I got my applause for an ancient Irish folk tale. Ambitions change and mature, but I am successful in my world, and I’m glad I trod this path. I’d still love to do radio though, and with my microphone skills well honed after 20 years of talking on coaches, I think I’m ready! Any producers out there?

YVONNE NELSON (née Scott) (T 46) Co-founder of The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy For over 60 years I have taught in both this country and abroad. However, for only in the first five years were my teaching skills channelled purely through the human voice. My interest in horses as a child led me through a labyrinth of routes to a hot day in the summer of 1976 when I co-founded what has since become an innovative part of further specialist education in this country – The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy (FCRT) in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Fortune Centre offers students, aged 16-25 with special needs, access to the Further Education through Horsemastership course. This three-year residential course teaches life and social skills through a horse-based extended curriculum using Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) to change the focus from disability to ability. Through the use of horses, the Fortune Centre uses EAT both to achieve learning and provide

therapy. The horse is placed at the heart of the exchange of teaching and learning, being used as an alternative seat of understanding. Many naturally occurring routines and activities in a horse environment act as the basis of new understanding. If horses interest and motivate an individual, then learning about them provides a learning purpose. For many people, if traditional methods of teaching and learning have failed to make sufficient impact, and if the individual is motivated by horses, the use of the horse as a learning-teaching medium is logical and effective and provides students with both selfconfidence and the ability to learn muchneeded life skills. For more information about The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, please visit www.fortunecentre.org

Yvonne Nelson with Henry and Rolo

“For only the first five years of my career were my teaching skills channelled purely through the human voice.”

Alumni NEws | 17

The Autogenic Meditative & Relaxation Technique A ‘Coping Strategy’ for Preventing Performance-Anxiety for Peak Performance By Giovanna Reitano (MA AT 09)

As performers we have the privilege to represent the ‘medium’ between the arts and the audience. Our attitude towards performance and the ability to express artistic meaning in the most creative but truthful way is the key to successfully reaching the audience and expressing ourselves as artists. Constant practice is needed to maintain and develop technical skills while caring for our well-being. Being focused and energized, relaxed but awake, physically and emotionally fit are essential for peak performance. But experience teaches us that a performer’s life and work schedule is often not easy. Published research shows that performers often work under high levels of stress and pressure and that many artists suffer from various psycho-physical illnesses, the most common of which is performance anxiety which may lead, when persistent and at strong levels, to panic attacks. Other discomforts include lack of self-esteem, feelings of failure, lack of focus and concentration, anger, fear or emotional block. Since the 1920s, medical research has confirmed the benefits of Autogenic Training on brain function, such as those of the right (more creative) and the left (more rational) hemispheres, the regulation of the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response and the homeostatic mechanism. AT has been successfully applied in various clinical and non-clinical contexts; it is simple to understand and easy to practice. Through my experience as a performer and as an Autogenic Trainer (I qualified as an Autogenic Trainer in Germany in 2006), I have seen that AT represents a great tool for musicians, actors, dancers and other artists to prevent or cope with performance anxiety and other stress-related discomforts as well as for peak performance such as enhancing focus, concentration and emotional flow. For more information, please visit www.musarteandmore.com

Well Balanced Man by Giovanna Reitano

INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS WORKSHOP A special alumni-only workshop, provided at a discounted rate Through meditation-based techniques, the practice of mindfulness helps us develop greater concentration at work and play and an ability to get our thoughts and feelings into perspective. Its focus on the here-and-now moment can increase the vibrancy of our everyday experience.

participants the opportunity to explore mindfulness techniques and consider how mindfulness skills might be applied in their daily lives. The event was extremely well received by the participants and, due to popular demand, we are considering putting on further courses in the future.

Many people are finding mindfulness practice a support to their general well-being and quality of life and, on 27 November, 14 alumni participated in a mindfulness workshop run by David Petherbridge, Head of Student Support Services at Central. The day offered

If you would like to receive email alerts about future alumni workshops, please ensure that you register your email address with the Alumni Office. All our contact details are listed on the back page.

Image by Marcus74id, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

18 | Alumni NEws

School-wide news

INTERarts exhibition (by Catherine Mcnamara)

LGBT INTERARTS PROJECT INTERarts is an intergenerational arts programme for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered people exploring age in relation to gender and sexuality.

The project, facilitated by Fiona Burgess (BA DATE 09), was run by Gendered Intelligence, an organisation co-funded by Central’s Deputy Dean of Studies Catherine McNamara (PGCE 98), and run in collaboration with Age UK. The project aimed to consider how age plays a part in forming one’s gender identity and sexuality, and to explore how different genders and sexualities are expressed across our aged (younger and older) bodies. Participants were involved in photography, film, drawing, creative writing, spoken voice and performance workshops, and the project culminated in a final exhibition on 4 December at Central.

CENTRAL WINS BID FOR RESEARCH INTO UNIVERSITY/INDUSTRY COLLABORATIONS Central has won an award of nearly £7,400 to fund research into collaborations between universities and their industry partners. The project, entitled Exchange, will identify current and innovative examples of partnerships between universities and business or community organisations, looking in particular at internships, apprenticeships and special projects. The project team will explore the challenges and opportunities of these sorts of student experience and will outline distinctive models of practice and offer guidelines on how to make the collaborations work best. The current financial climate makes it even more important for Higher Education institutions to engage closely with their professional and community partners whilst offering additional support to their graduates as they enter the world of work. Exchange responds to these very practical needs, and its benefits will extend far beyond the walls of the university and into the future.

Alumni NEws | 19

CENTRAL WINS FUNDING TO GIVE A HELPING HAND TO ALUMNI CAREERS Central has a commitment to its students, which remains in place after graduation, seeking ways in which we may be able to support the development of their careers. The creative industries have long expected graduates to work without payment in exchange for hands-on experience to improve their curriculum vitae. Central wanted to address the impact that this has on our alumni, especially those from low-income backgrounds who cannot afford to sustain lengthy unpaid internships, which are often a vital first step in establishing a career. During the summer of 2010 Central was successful in its bid to the Higher Education Funding Council, England to receive funding to support 30 paid internships for its alumni with its industry partners. Opportunities were created through the School’s long-established relationships with industry organisations, such as the British Film Institute, Hampstead Theatre, Roundhouse and the Shakespeare’s

Globe Education, for recent graduates from across all of the undergraduate disciplines. Positions included: Stage Manager; Lighting Designer; Video Editor; Education Project Manager; Fundraising & Marketing Assistant; Producer; and a range of other roles with theatre and community organisations. The interns’ achievements included: researching funding applications for more than £100,000; devising the installation of a new dimmer and stage management desk for a working theatre; and increasing a theatre’s revenue by 30%. We were delighted that 88% of these internships led to securing subsequent employment, and all of those who took part said it was an excellent experience.

This pilot supported Central’s commitment to widening participation and the conviction that the creative industries should be accessible by people from all backgrounds. As both Higher Education institutions and arts organisations find their way in difficult times, partnerships such as those cemented by Central’s Internship Scheme will become more important to students, Higher Education institutions and their partner organisations. The results of our pilot demonstrate how much more these collaborations should be celebrated. If you would like further information, or to offer internships and/or placements, please contact the Placement Coordinator on [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR VOICE (ICV) It has been a busy year for the ICV. Not only have they welcomed Central’s new Head of Voice, Jane Boston (Ad Dip VS 87) (who succeeds Katerina Moraitis who has returned home to Australia to work at NIDA), but they have also been joined by Cathleen McCarron (MA VS 10) as ICV Coordinator and Rebecca Root (MA VS 08) as Professional Consultant. The new team has run numerous successful workshops throughout the year, including those from Margaret Pikes of the Roy Hart Theatre and from Frankie Armstrong, who gave a workshop entitled ‘Singing from the Soles of the Feet’. Jane Boston (by Lemon Richard Studios)

Introducing Jane Boston (Ad Dip VS 87) Senior Lecturer, MA Voice Studies and Head of the ICV: My return to Central represents a full circle which began as a student on the Voice course, continued with heading up the Voice department on the acting course, and is now completed by taking up leadership of the MA in Voice Studies and the ICV. This three-decadelong connection certainly indicates that all paths lead to Central – eventually! I am extremely glad to be back at Central and excited by the opportunities presented by this new post. In linking the MA in Voice Studies

Professor Kristin Linklater

with the International Centre for Voice, there is huge potential for an ever more forward-looking and far-reaching era. At this time of widespread recession and budgetary caution, it is ever more important that Voice professionals should be able to maintain a vibrant platform upon which to debate questions of their future. This, then, is an invitation for all Voice Studies Alumni and professional voice trainers everywhere to join the ICV and to contribute their wisdom and experience toward realising this latest phase in the development of spoken voice training.

Linklater at Central In August 2010 Professor Kristin Linklater, world-renowned voice teacher and author of Freeing the Natural Voice, held the first part of her two-part Teacher Training Programme. This popular course included international participants from Canada, Germany, the US and UK, and included several MA VS alumni (Christine Berg, Daron Oram, Stephen Kemble and Simon Ratcliffe). For more information about all upcoming ICV events and membership details, please visit www.icvoice.co.uk. You can also follow ICV on Facebook – just search for ‘ICV’.

20 | Alumni NEws

Research at Central PUBLICATIONS BY CENTRAL STAFF

Mark Swetz

PHD AT CENTRAL Researching vision-impaired spectatorship – “If you can’t see performance, what do you make of performance?”

Mark Swetz is a first-year PhD candidate at Central researching blind spectatorship. Mark’s interest in the experience of those who cannot see extends from his work with Compañía Y (www.yeca.org), an arts collective he co-directs in Madrid and London. “Our company produces a lot of physical theatre and contemporary dance. When we started having more and more people attend our shows who had low or no vision, I wanted to understand their perspective and create a better audience experience.” Mark was attracted to Central’s practice-based PhD programme because it allows him to test his theories in a laboratory. His goal is not only to explore and explain how performance is perceived without vision, but also to publicise and promote tools that any director or producer can use when staging and conceiving a show. His research has already been presented at several international conferences, and he is vigorously pursuing publishing and production opportunities. His goal is to teach at university level, while maintaining an international career as a practitioner: “Central’s practicebased PhD allows me the best of both worlds – access to exceptional academic and practical resources, people and advisors.”

Ross Brown (Dean of Studies and Professor in Sound) Sound: A Reader in Theatre Practice Published by Palgrave Macmillan. This unique collection of key writings on sound design explores how sound is used to create meaning and atmosphere in the theatre. Sound draws on a wide-ranging compilation of newly commissioned work as well as rare readings and interviews, held together by a fascinating and provocative narrative.

Andy Lavender (Dean of Research and Professor of Contemporary Theatre) Mapping Intermediality in Performance Edited by Sarah Bay-Cheng, Chiel Kattenbelt, Andy Lavender and Robin Nelson. Published by Amsterdam University Press. This volume examines afresh the impact upon acting and performance of digital technologies. It is concerned with how digital culture combines the traditional ‘liveness’ of theatre with media interfaces and internet protocols. The time and space of the ‘here and now’ are both challenged and adapted, just as barriers between theatremakers and the ‘experiencers’ of events are broken down. Making Contemporary Theatre: International Rehearsal Processes Edited by Jen Harvie and Andy Lavender. Published by Manchester University Press.

This publication reveals how some of the most significant international contemporary theatre is actually made. Using eye-witness accounts and over 80 photographs, it offers extraordinary insights into the innovative and exciting methods used by the most influential emerging theatre companies, including the UK’s Complicite and Forced Entertainment and New York’s The Builders Association, as well as directors, such as Belgian-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

Nick Moran (Senior Lecturer, Lighting Design and Pathway Leader, Design for Performance) Performance Lighting Design Published by Methuen Drama. This book serves students of lighting design and is also intended to be accessible to anyone with an awareness of technical theatre. Practical knowledge is combined with aesthetic and theoretical considerations. The book also addresses the difficult area of finding inspiration and evolving design ideas through a broad range of performance genre. The author discusses the pros and cons of several computer-based techniques and incorporates 25 years of his own professional experience in the UK and Europe. Performance Lighting Design has been published in Czech, titled Svetelný Design; translated by Robert Tschorn. The book was produced with assistance from PQ 2011, the Arts and Theatre Institute of Prague and the Institute of Lighting Design in Prague.

Alumni NEws | 21

COLLISIONS FESTIVAL

Simon Shepherd (Deputy Principal, Academic and Professor of Theatre) and Simon Donger (Lecturer, Scenography and Performance Arts) ORLAN: a Hybrid Body of Artworks Edited by Simon Donger with Simon Shepherd and ORLAN. Published by Routledge. This book is an in-depth academic account of ORLAN’s pioneering art in its entirety. The book covers her career in performance and a range of other art forms. This accessible overview of ORLAN’s practices describes and analyses her various innovative uses of the body as artistic material. The collection highlights her artistic impact from the perspectives of both performance and visual cultures.

Simon Shepherd (Deputy Principal, Academic and Professor of Theatre) The Cambridge Introduction to Modern British Theatre Published by Cambridge University Press. British theatre has long been regarded as a world leader in terms of its quality, creativity and range. Starting in 1900, this book introduces the features that characterise modern and current British theatre. These features include experimental performances under motorways alongside plays by Stoppard and Ayckbourn, amateur theatre and virtual spaces, the emergence of the director, the changing role of writers and political and community shows. The book is clearly divided into four sections: where it happens, who does it, what they make and why they do it.

Collisions Festival (by Sarah Ainslie)

The Collisions Festival was an eclectic gathering of theatre, dance, puppetry performance, installations, workshops and lectures/demonstrations by current PhD students and Research Fellows at Central. Experimental, original and provocative, the festival celebrated the rich variety of innovative research in performance practice at Central. Charla Givans, a current PhD student, gives her personal review: Imagine an exquisitely designed scene from Genet’s The Maids that adds an eerily prescient puppet with the face cast of the researcher. Or another researcher’s painfully moving dance that articulates, through the body, violence done to a “sissy”. Or a naked dancer constructing an anti-ballet of his life with Giselle that questions the meaning of masculine. Or explorations of violent language against women. And a clown, a clown facing an existential crisis through being human and being exposed. It’s all colliding now: being stuck in a tunnel, tunnel vision, seeing or “not seeing”. Being watched, watching. Am I expected to be a performing spectator monkey? Is that what the bananas are for? Teacher as elder and Equus rising. Rose petals and lipstick, dead dried leaves, potions and spells, slow-moving sadness. Projections. Comic predictions of demise ... Stop. collis

ion ca talogu

e.text

s.4:La

yout

1

10/8/1

0

13:46

Page

www. collisio ns

festiva l.org

Booking :

Eton Ave

+44 (0) 20

nue, Lon don NW

3 3HY

7722 81 83

Swiss Cot tage

(Programme designed by Russell Warren-Fisher)

Let me explain the potions and spells. Room X has never been so beautiful as when it was transformed into a Magisterium for the festival: an alchemist’s den of treasures that caught my eye anew each day. Here recipes for “good theatre” were collected by the alchemist, who offered tailor-made potions and spells – honey vodka was my favourite – to everyone who entered. Did I mention they were magic? I found work that pushed, pulled, told a story, experimented with the intersection of research and creative practice, and left me thrilled to be a part of it all; thrilled to be one of the researchers questioning the ways of the world and trying to shift, even in a minuscule way, the limits of our respective fields. I am etched with fragments caused by rich collisions that inspired, moved, and left me speechless in the presence of what felt important and soulful PhD work.

2

ssin gC Ma han giste ge… rium Valu Oth e Vo er P ids? iece s ...acc ept the poss 21st ibil Cen ity o tury f fier Con Clo y dem Sen wn sus ise... Flyin gC row Edu s an dH cato one rs, E y Cha ca lder kes: llen s an imm ging dE ersi quu Now The on in s: b Cha her alan the e ngel cing und Gis ing erw elle role : tra , or orld s in nsla I’m risk ti Sissy n too y per g se ! Horn xua form lly v y to ance Con iole be a stru wo n t la Pri ctin ngu nce g th AD age (wo eO isgra acro rk in ther cefu prog in Th Mo lW re vem aste eM ss) ent aid of S Tra s: on pace Dem inin tolo _2 onst g fo g y, rati r Act other 241 on o ors: ness : Bel f La a new and la ban In Th emb pra way ctice odim e Tu teach in S ent nnel ing My chil in ler’s 5 – 9LaObact Mee n ober 20 ting Ma 10 ry S Flesh with tu : reli Kan art giosi tor’Fe s Usti ty a mbva nd relll of New Perfo its ci a rmance nem and Th atic eory repre senta tion

22 | Alumni NEws

School of Professional and Community Devel The School of Professional and Community Development (SPCD), an outward-facing department of Central School of Speech & Drama, is committed to high-quality enhancement and the application of knowledge about theatre and performance techniques within local, national and international communities.

SATURDAY YOUTH THEATRE Inter School Drama Competition (care of SPCD)

KOLKATA STUDENTS ATTEND THEATRE COURSE IN LONDON Each year prize winners of the Annual Inter School Drama Festival in Kolkata, India, are invited to attend the Youth Theatre for Actors course here at Central. The festival, presented by Central and supported by the British Council, has gained a strong following amongst schools in Eastern India, and several up-and-coming celebrities of Bollywood and Indian theatre have had their first stint in acting through the project.

Saturday School students (care of SPCD)

The Saturday Youth Theatre continues to flourish, and it enjoyed a successful summer term focussing on the themes of ‘Manners, Morality and Metaphor’: broad themes open to a variety of interpretations. The plays presented by the senior students ranged from Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle to Sheridan’s The School For Scandal. The juniors explored more contemporary works such as Small Fry by Neil Duffield, Us and Them by David Compton, Fairytale Heart by Philip Ridley and Yeh Shen, a Chinese version of Cinderella by Ai-Ling Louie. The Musical Theatre group of mixed ages gave a lively version of The Little Shop of Horrors, which ended the performances on a high note. At the beginning of the autumn term we were very pleased to welcome back a good number of

returning students and a healthy number of new recruits, and we look forward to a challenging, creative and productive year ahead. “The Saturday class is a collection of inspiring people who come together once a week. The students and teachers I found when I joined were supportive and warm. The students work hard in the sessions and their commitment through the course is something truly special. The students explore complex work and come through shining. The sharing at the end of the course has a sense of love, passion and hard work.” – Jason Wong (BA DATE 07), Saturday Youth Theatre tutor. For more information about the Saturday Youth Theatre, please visit www.cssd.ac.uk or contact [email protected]

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY LIAISON ACTIVITY Central’s School and Community Liaison Officer, Richard Harrison, works with schools, colleges and youth theatres to deliver a series of Higher Education Audition/Interview Workshops for students in Years 7 to 13. These interactive workshops, which take place at schools across London and England, aim to introduce students to the study of drama in Higher Education as well as the interview and audition processes.

Many of the workshops take place at schools where Central alumni teach; if you’re a teacher in a state-maintained secondary school or college and would like Richard to deliver a workshop for your students, contact him on [email protected] or call +44(0) 20 7449 1597. Workshops are free of charge to schools and colleges in the maintained sector and are consistently rated ‘excellent’ by teachers. Bookings can be made online at www.cssd.ac.uk/schools

Winning students and a teacher from the 2009 festival spent a week with us over the summer when the young actors performed in DeoxyriboNucleic Acid (aka DNA) by Dennis Kelly to an invited audience of parents, carers and friends. “We are delighted that schools in Kolkata have this opportunity to share ideas and knowledge with regards to theatre,” said Sujata Sen, British Council Director East India. “We hope that this festival will bring forth the talent these young people have and encourage them to develop it further.” Bruce Wooding, Central’s Head of Professional and Community Development, said, “This drama festival offers a unique opportunity for Central to share ideas and knowledge with local educators in India. Theatre and drama can be used to facilitate effective learning and enhance the learning experience of every student. Students will be exposed to ‘collaborative competition’, enabling them to realise their potential in areas such as strategic thinking, teamwork, decision making, leadership, cultural and artistic awareness, confidence building and professionalism.” Over 40 schools registered for the 2010 festival, and we look forward to hosting the year’s winners in the summer of 2011.

Alumni NEws | 23

opment News CENTRAL SHORT COURSES The School of Professional and Community Development offers a range of adult short courses, which run throughout the academic year. Courses can be taken independently or cumulatively to form a unified programme of practical study, and tutors are all industry professionals with experience of drama school training.

Short Course Success Stories

To date I’ve completed the one-year, part-time Acting Diploma, Stage Combat & Fighting and the Summer School at the Moscow Art Theatre School. I’m now undertaking the Shakespearean Acting course, and the experience has been truly inspirational. Through improvisation, text analysis and character work I have become more confident with my own abilities and benefited greatly through the voice exercise and movement classes. I have had the opportunity to polish my approach to character work, transition techniques and teamwork skills. Whilst preparing for Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat by Mark Ravenhill, I learnt the value of reactive acting and better appreciate the logistics of putting on a play. During this time I also played the lead role in a short film called The Wall, which was showcased during 2010 at the London Film Academy Graduation Screening and Awards Ceremony.

Central alumni are invited to register their business details for further information by contacting Lizzie Yirrell on lizzie.yirrell@ cssd.ac.uk or +44(0) 20 7559 3954. Yiannis Alexiou

CREATIVE SPACE LEARNING EVENT

Anita Goudar I think it was George Eliot who said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been,” and I couldn’t agree more. I’m certainly living up to that quote, and it feels great! From the moment I started the Introduction to Acting course I knew that acting was going to be something I wanted to continue. By the time I moved on to my second short course I was loving meeting new people and making so many new friends through Central’s programme. It made for great nights out at the theatre, interesting after-class conversations at the Swiss Cottage pub and generally broadened and enlivened my social circle. I took as many courses as I could within the Short Courses syllabus, and when my employer announced that they would be rolling out redundancies, I used this opportunity to really consider a clean break from my career in television production and try to follow my heart and apply for a postgraduate acting degree. After successfully gaining a couple of offers I chose to accept an offer from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and take their MA in Acting.

Central’s Knowledge Transfer programme facilitates the sharing of skills which are generally used in the training of actors, such as voice, speech and presentation techniques, to unlock untapped potential within businesses. Central, along with Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Europe’s leading programme helping UK businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity, have teamed up to produce a programme that works by establishing a partnership between a business, Central and one or more trained ‘associates’. The associate works on a project within the business and is jointly supervised by company personnel and a senior academic from Central to facilitate the sharing of knowledge.

Yiannis Alexiou

I can say with great pride that I have progressed as an actor, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead; I am in talks with agents and looking to audition for either a BA or an MA in the UK or New York.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIPS

I really feel Central is where my rediscovered theatrical passions were ignited, and I would recommend Central’s short courses to anyone who has ever wanted to explore their creative side, to play or discover new elements in themselves. Proceed with caution however, because taking a Short Course at Central may change your life far more than you expected!

Creative Space Learning, an organisation which helps businesses to develop objectives and strategies, has teamed up with Central to help companies to grow through enhancing creative thinking and improving internal communications. On 22 September 2010 an exclusive event for Human Resource Directors was held to launch the partnership. Hosted by Bruce Wooding, Head of SPCD, along with Halina Pytlasinska, Director of Creative Space Learning, the event was particularly timely from an HR perspective, as the recession has created challenges for HR departments charged with the unenviable task of arranging redundancies and making cutbacks. Anne Walsh, Voice and Communication Coach, delivered a workshop on the effective use of the voice in the work place, and the event offered the opportunity for companies to engage with the project and informally meet members of the team.

Anita Goudar

For further information, please contact Lizzie Yirrell, Project Manager, by email lizzie.yirrell@ cssd.ac.uk or telephone +44(0) 20 7559 3954.

24 | Alumni NEws

ALUMNI event news EDINBURGH FESTIVAL GATHERING Central alumni officially gather during the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time. The Edinburgh Festival is always an exciting time of year with many Central students, alumni and friends performing in and visiting the city. This year, for the first time, Central held an alumni gathering at the Festival. Over 30 guests came to The Library Bar of The Gilded Balloon and met hosts Gavin Henderson (Principal), Sally Mackey (Deputy Dean), Nick Wood (Senior Lecturer, Dramaturgy and Course Leader, Advanced Theatre Practice) and Caroline Clark (Head of Alumni Relations). Our thanks go out to all alumni and friends who dropped in including: Colum Butler, Kyu Choi, Ian Dunn, Sascha Ertel, Robert Frater, Rob Harris, Eddie Latter, Denyre Macpherson, Sally Munday, Noelle O’Donoghue, Mercy Ojelade, Lauren Overs, Graeme Phillips, Penny ScottAndrews, Sam Webb and Andrew Williams. We hope you enjoyed the rest of the Festival as much as we did, and that you will join us again next year (details will be announced during the summer term). Edinburgh Festival gathering (by Caroline Clark)

SPEECH THERAPY ‘85 REUNION Over the summer Kathryn McCormick played detective and managed to track down former members of the Speech Therapy 85 group and coordinated a 25-year reunion. Kathryn’s efforts over several months managed to find alumni, many of whom Central had lost contact with, all over the UK, Australia and Greece. The reunion was a great success, and all but four of the graduates have been traced. If you are able to help in tracking down the following people: Deborah Rabin, Sarah (Kit) Himbury, Suki Hayes and Susan Ball, please contact the Alumni Office which can put you in touch with Kathryn.

Cindy Metcalfe (née Dennis), Cathy Sparkes, Alex Kelly, Hazel Dewart, Susie Summers, Cathy Lenton (née Claydon), Kay Coombes, Pippa McHaffie (née Gaines) and Kathryn McCormick (née Hallifax)

Alumni NEws | 25

ROYAL ALBERT HALL REUNION 2

Susie Summers, Karin Parkinson, Sally Rycroft and Noel Wight Boycott

A REUNION DOWN UNDER Two years ago, in the dark recesses of a Kentish Town eating establishment, three members of an erstwhile four-strong tutorial group (Therapy 75), hatched a plan to drive from Adelaide to Darwin. Sadly, but sensibly perhaps, aspirations of making Priscilla II reconciled to reason, and a week in a camper-van in the Kakadu National Park was proposed instead. So it was that during the summer, Susie Summers and Karin Parkinson met up with almost-native Aussies Sally Rycroft and Noel Wight Boycott to reconnect after 35 years. We were delighted to discover that bonds formed in the classrooms and less salubrious corners of Central had not diminished with time. Even in the confines of a camper-van, harmony could reign.

Royal Albert Hall Reunion 2

Following a year on from the spectacular Royal Albert Hall reunion day in October 2009, Central hosted its second annual gathering for our RAH graduates.

It was the first time that many of our RAH alumni had visited our ‘new’ site at Swiss Cottage, and although a smaller affair, it was no less thrilling an occasion. The gathering was an opportunity for alumni to meet once again with their fellow graduates, and tours of the campus also gave them the chance to see our fantastic facilities, including the theatre, rehearsal rooms, media editing suites, library, design and construction workshops and more. The tour groups were lead by students from our current cohort, and the wonderful sense of an extended family gathering was

felt throughout the day. There was also an opportunity for alumni to chat with current staff members and to browse again through the RAH memorabilia. As last year’s reunion was an opportunity to rekindle friendships and reminisce over old times, so this event allowed our RAH alumni to connect with Central as it is today: to visit our new facilities and see how the Central family has grown over the years. We hope that all our visitors enjoyed the opportunity to see what we have become and feel proud of the institution they helped to found.

Maybe this was helped by the fact that we had each in our own way journeyed into the world of things psychological and relational in our professional careers: Susie as a therapist, Karin as a counselling practitioner and hypnotherapist; Sally can now be found managing the complaints and risk department of Manly hospital; and Noel as a psychologist. Following our amazing camper-van trip, the four of us met up again in Sydney for dinner and were joined by Adrian van den Bok (Stage 75) who, over the years, had moved from acting, to advertising, to psychotherapy. Our time together reminiscing about ‘the good old days’ was all the more precious knowing how infrequently it was likely to occur. But we seemed to tolerate each other so well that tentative plans were made for a two-week trip in a camper-van, but next time it will be in Europe!

26 | Alumni NEws

RESEARCH EVENT NEWS The following Research Events took place at Central during the autumn term:

Archiving Culture, Archival Practices: Recording Black British Art, Theatre and Culture

Aurality of Objects

Artist Michael McMillan, archivist Kelly Foster (Black Cultural Archives) and Simeilia Hodge Dallaway (National Theatre Black British Play Archive), with chair Lynette Goddard (Royal Holloway, University of London)

Puppet Theatre: What’s the offer?

‘From Grounded Foot to Leaping Foot’ Practice and Pedagogy Forum

Reality, Celebrity and the Art of Acting

Student Show: The Edge (Devised)

Thursday 10 February, 2.30 - 4pm

Wednesday 16 - Saturday 19 March, 7.30pm; Friday 18 - Saturday 19 March, 2.30pm

Tuesday 15 - Thursday 17 February, 2pm and 7pm Performed by MA Music Theatre students with the Ligeti String Quartet. Theatres of Experience February/March tbc Toni Sant (University of Hull), Liesbeth Groot Nibbelink (University of Utrecht) and Kate Adams (University of Salford) explore work in contemporary theatre performance in the UK, US and Europe that engages participation, immersion and the experiential encounter.

Exchange Symposium: Enhancing Collaborative Models of Learning and Teaching in the Performing Arts Thursday 13 January, 1.30 - 5.15pm Supported by PALATINE, Exchange is a research and knowledge exchange between universities and business or community organisations. Looking in particular at internships, apprenticeships and placements, the project aims to outline distinctive models of practice and offer guidelines on how best to make such collaborations work. Introduction to Commedia as a Performance Tool Saturday 15 January Barry Grantham and Jon Davison will lead this workshop and will follow it up with a discussion of the practice.

Creating Performance Environments: Scenography in Contemporary Art and Performance

Debbie Green (Central) and Ita O’Brien (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts)

Student Show: Sigrun’s Fire

Forthcoming Events

Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones (Handspring Puppet Company)

Brigitta Zics (Plymouth), Andrea Cusumano (Central Saint Martins), Sally Jane Norman (Sussex) and Jan Kattein (Bartlett School of Architecture/Jan Kattein Architects), with Simon Donger (Central) as chair

Mary Luckhurst (University of York) and Susan Smith (University of Sunderland) examine performances of ‘real’ and ‘celebrity’ personae and the complex interplay between the two.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood (by Patrick Baldwin)

Gregg Fisher (Central) and Dot Young (Central)

Research Centres Launch Event Wednesday 23 February, 6pm This event inaugurates the beginning of the work of Central’s two new research centres Applied Theatre: Centre for Performance and Social Practice and Puppetry. Participants will discuss the work associated with the Centres and their programme for research. A wine reception will follow. Student Show: Europe Wednesday 2 - Saturday 5 March, 7.30pm; Saturday 5 March, 2.30pm Performed by BA (Hons) Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre students Student Show: Guys and Dolls Monday 7 - Saturday 12 March, 7.30pm; Friday 11 - Saturday 12 March, 2.30pm

Performed by BA (Hons) Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre students. Student Show: The Captain of Köpenick Wednesday 16 - Saturday 19 March, 7.30pm; Friday 18 - Saturday 19 March, 2.30pm Performed by BA (Hons) Acting students. Accent and Dialect Symposium: the Role of the Coach and its Development Friday 1 April, 11am - 4pm This symposium brings together practitioners to discuss accent and dialect training for actors and the ways in which the role of the accent and dialect coach has changed and developed over time. What is the function of the coach, now and in the past? How does the tuition of the coach assist in the actor’s production of a target accent? In what ways is the work of the accent and dialect coach applicable to professions within and beyond the performing arts? A range of speakers will explore these questions. Sandpit: Hybrid Performance for Hybrid Spaces Friday 8 April, 10am - 5pm and Saturday 9 April, 10am - 2pm This spring Central invites artists to participate in a research and development sandpit exploring ‘hybrid performance for hybrid spaces’. Recognising that artworks are increasingly interdisciplinary and hybrid, this event will encourage individuals to brainstorm ideas in new collaborative, interdisciplinary teams in order to present a potential project to a panel. The winning proposal will be facilitated at Central and will result in a showcase in July. Further details will be released in due course.

Performed by BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre students.

Please check our website www.cssd.ac.uk for full event details and booking information.

Alumni NEws | 27

On Interdisciplinarity Baz Kershaw (Warwick), Maria Chatzichristodoulou (Hull) and Geraldine Harris (Lancaster) The Christmas Pantomime Millie Taylor (Winchester), Keith Orton (Central) and director Joyce Branagh To be added to the Research Events mailing list, please email your details to [email protected]

Student Show: Antony and Cleopatra Wednesday 13 - Saturday 16 April, 7.00pm; Thursday 14 - Saturday 16 April, 2.00pm Performed by MA Acting Students. The Accidental Festival Thursday 19 - Sunday 22 May Now in its sixth year, the Accidental Festival is produced and programmed entirely by second-year students and showcases the work of leading and emerging professionals. It serves as a unique platform for presenting the performance, design and production work of Central’s students. The programme will be launched and tickets will be available from 7 March. For more information go to www.accidentalfestival.co.uk or find them on Facebook and Twitter. Alumni Free Ticket Night to Student Production Each term 30 free tickets are made available to alumni for one of our student shows. Following the performance we hold a private alumni reception where you can meet other Central graduates over refreshments. For details of the spring term’s alumni night, please consult our website. Authoring Theatre Conference: New performance, text and the return of the auteur An international conference Thursday 14 - Friday 15 July Theatre and performance have long been preoccupied with the problem of authorship. In recent years we have seen a ‘return to writing’: not only with the phenomenon of ‘new writing’ – Kane, Ravenhill, Crimp, amongst many others – but also the return to writing within performance work as instanced by practitioners including Claudia Castellucci with Societas Raffaello Sanzio, Robert Lepage with Ex Machina and Tim Etchells with Forced Entertainment. The call for proposals will be going out in January.

Alumni Publications MELANIE HUGHES (S 74) Mrs Fisher’s Tulip This is the story of one summer in the early sixties in darkest suburbia: a place where things are not always as safe as they seem. Sally is a schoolgirl. Julie is seventeen and an ice skater – a figure of unimaginable glamour. Sally becomes drawn into Julie’s world of secrecy and adult passion, then watches helplessly as her family is torn apart by the conventions it fights so hard to maintain. Published by YouWriteOn.com

GERARD BENSON (T 62) A Good Time Gerard Benson lives in Bradford, where he is the city’s poet laureate. His children’s books have won the Signal Award and been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. A Good Time is his fourth collection for grownups, along with a number of anthologies, including the Poems on the Underground series, of which he is a founding editor. Published by Smith/Doorstop.

MEL CHURCHER (MA VS 00) A Screen Acting Workshop Introduced by Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, A Screen Acting Workshop is an informative, accessible and practical guide. Five written workshops and an accompanying DVD cover all areas of screen acting and are

packed with exercises and techniques for all actors, however experienced. Available from 17 February. Published by Nick Hern Books.

REBECCA CLARK CAREY (MA VS 01) and DAVID CAREY (COURSE LEADER MA VS 86-03) The Verbal Arts Workbook This book details a practical course for speaking both classical and contemporary text with clarity and power and is designed to be used by teachers and students of drama. It is a companion book to The Vocal Arts Workbook and DVD, which were published in 2008. Published by Methuen.

SUSAN WOOLDRIDGE (S 71) The Hidden Dance

Winner of the Big Red Read award for Best Debut Novel 2010, The Hidden Dance is set in 1933 and follows the story of Lily Sutton as she sets sail on board a luxury liner from Southampton en route for New York. On board Lily is caught between the world she leaves behind, with its attendant riches and position in society, and her new-found love and the life she is looking to begin anew in America. A special offer price of £5.99 (£2 off RRP) and free p&p is available by entering the promotional code HD25 when buying online at www.allisonandbusby.com or calling +44(0) 207 580 1080. Offer ends 28/02/11.

28 | Alumni NEws

in memoriam GEORGE KITSON (Principal 1978-87)

drama department at his local school, where he was well known and very much loved.

George Kitson, former Central Principal 197887, made a significant contribution to theatre education. George presided over the Speech Therapy course and the Drama Teachers’ course, which had both been diploma or certificate courses before his time and were raised to degree level while he was principal. He also introduced the Voice course to train voice teachers.

In his final days Nick travelled around Europe with his friends making the most of every moment he had. Nick appreciated everything; he appreciated people, their capabilities and was always willing to collaborate. He would always involve himself, stick up for what he believed in, and most of all he was a fighter. I will never forget Nick for his willingness to try, to rise to the challenge and to execute his vision as a confident, established and fearless practitioner.

When George retired from Central in 1987, he went on to serve on the National Council for Drama Training and helped to set up the Conference of Drama Schools, of which he became chairman. In his final years he initiated a street theatre festival, Arts Fresco, in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, which has taken place every September from 2002, and he ensured that local funds were put up to maintain it. He was also active in the Market Harborough Drama Society and directed many plays for them. Though steadfastly unassuming, George was a leader who always supported innovation and created an atmosphere in which others felt encouraged to do their best.

NICK PENN (BA TP 2006) By Kate Jales Anyone who knew Nick would remember him as an energetic and passionate guy who had a brilliant sense of humour. His ideas were dynamic, fearless and exciting, and his work as a talented director made me light up inside. After Central, Nick volunteered his skills and time to encourage, direct and be a part of the

LYNN REDGRAVE (S 61) “She lived, loved and worked harder than ever before. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, writer, actor and friend will sustain us for the rest of our lives,” said her three children in a statement after Lynn passed away in May 2010 following a sevenyear battle with breast cancer. Lynn was nominated for two Oscars during her 50-year career, once in 1967 for best actress in Georgy Girl and again in 1999 for best supporting actress in Gods and Monsters. Lynn was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for her role in the film Shine, and she was awarded an OBE for her services to drama in 2002.

contact Can We Reach You? We have over 1,900 alumni contacts with no registered email address. Help us to keep costs down by registering your email today. Please either complete and return the enclosed feedback form or register online using our automated form in the alumni area of our website. Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)20 7449 1628 By post: Alumni Office, Central School of Speech & Drama, Eton Avenue, London NW3 3HY, UK Website: www.cssd.ac.uk (click on the ‘alumni’ link). You can also join our official Facebook group: ‘CSSD Alumni News - official site’. The Facebook group is designed to let you network with other alumni and to publicise your work. Thanks from the alumni team: Zoe Haddock and Caroline Clark.

Her stage credits include her one-woman play, Shakespeare for my Father, Mrs Warren’s Profession and The Constant Wife, which all received Tony nominations. In the last two decades, Lynn started on a new professional path as a writer, and in 2004 she released a book about her fight against cancer.

Acknowledgements

Where are they now...? Well… they are now on the Central website!

Over the last few years the volume of news we receive from our alumni has grown significantly. In order to save space in the newsletter the ‘Where are they?’ section has been moved to the alumni pages of the Central website. Please visit www.cssd.ac.uk and click on the ‘alumni’ link to read all the latest news.

With thanks to all featured alumni and photographers and to the following Central staff for their contributions towards this newsletter: Amanda Stuart-Fisher, Andrew Lavender, Ayse Tashkiran, Bruce Wooding, Caitlin Adams, Catherine Alexander, Catherine McNamara, Cariad Astles, Geoff Coleman, Greg Duke, Gail Hunt, Jane Boston, Meg Ryan, Nick Wood, Richard Harrison, Selina Busby and Susan Oman. Designed by: Nimbus. Printed by: Disc to Print. Photographs: all credits (where provided) have been included in the newsletter.

Central School of Speech & Drama, Embassy Theatre, Eton Avenue, London NW3 3HY. Tel +44 (0)20 7722 8183 Fax +44 (0)20 7722 4132 www.cssd.ac.uk Alumni Office: Tel +44 (0)20 7449 1628 Email [email protected] This newsletter is written for alumni using information from alumni. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the staff or the governors of Central School of Speech & Drama. This newsletter is printed on environmentally friendly paper from managed sustainable forests. Central School of Speech & Drama is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee, with exempt charitable status, in England and Wales under Company No. 203645. Its registered office is as above. VAT No. GB 672 6982 88.