Performing Arts students were once again given the chance to audition for a leading drama school at Loughborough College this week – hoping to build on last year’s outstanding success, when every budding actor from the College who auditioned was offered a place.
The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) was the first drama school offering training which included live theatre, television, film and radio and amongst alumni who have found major stage and screen success are British TV and now Hollywood star Miranda Hart, Lucy Liemann – who appeared in The Bourne Ultimatum, Dr Who regular Samuel Anderson, Amina Zia – from the revived Porridge and Denise Gough, who performed at the National Theatre this year in Angels in America.
Andy Blake, lead acting tutor at ALRA, offered students at Loughborough College’s Creative Arts Academy theatre a taste of the training they might expect if they study at the drama school with a workshop designed to develop a range of skills vital during rehearsal and performance such as listening, coordination, non-verbal communication, rapid response, memory and problem-solving. The young actors were then tasked with quickly developing a short performance, testing their ability to work creatively under pressure. Finally, eight students each performed a contemporary monologue and a classical monologue before being interviewed by Andy.
“It was fantastic to welcome ALRA back to Loughborough College. It’s a prestigious drama school and there are hundreds of applicants for their courses in London and Greater Manchester every year – so we were very proud that every one of our students who auditioned in 2016 was offered a place,” said Performing Arts lecturer Melanie Potts.
“We always deliver the Auditions for Actors part of our course early in the second year so although our students are only a few weeks in they were fully prepared, articulate and confident throughout the workshop, the monologues and their interviews with Andy.
“We plan our course very carefully to give our students the best possible preparation for their next step so it was also very reassuring to see that some of Andy’s exercises were the same as those we use and that the standards we have at Loughborough College in Performing Arts including punctuality and healthy eating were highlighted as important for studying at ALRA or any drama school.
“Andy commented on how professional our students appeared and how great they all were to work with - and he was impressed with the standard of our facilities, such as our theatre’s industry standard lighting rig.
“The whole day was really positive and we’re looking forward to hearing about the outcome of the auditions over the next few weeks. But even if students are not offered the opportunity to study with ALRA, we have some fantastic feedback from Andy on improving the chances of gaining a drama school place which will be incredibly beneficial to them all for future auditions.”
Pictured: ALRA’s Andy Blake puts Loughborough College Performing Arts students through their paces during auditions for the drama school