Barry Comprehensive School

‘A' Level Theatre Studies students at Barry Comprehensive are busy rehearsing for their Practical examinations. In order to boost their confidence and develop their acting skills, what better way of providing this necessary boost, than working with professional actors/directors. During a two day workshop, Year 12 and 13 students, studying Drama and Theatre, worked side by side with professionals Anita and Cerin. Both actresses have worked extensively in film, theatre and television and are part-time lecturers at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Their passion, enthusiasm and serious talent for acting, spilled over into the students and after just one hour, we could see a marked difference in their confidence and performance skills.

Exploring a variety of drama techniques, games and improvisation exercises, Anita and Cerin complimented the students on their willingness to learn and make progress with the practical element of the ‘A' level course. The main focus of the workshop was to help with their character development and after watching small extracts of their plays, Anita and Cerin gave advice on how to improve their performances and create believable characters.

This was a valuable experience for all the students involved and is certainly a way forward at looking at how professionals work in the theatre. The Drama Department, hope to make this an annual event and a lasting partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where hopefully, some of our potential actors will be applying to train for a career in acting.

Photos:
The 6th Form students working side by side with professionals Anita and Cerin