A performer from Loughborough College has secured a place at one of the country’s leading performing arts schools.
After a rigorous audition process, Heather McDowall, 18, landed one of only 30 places on the Institute of Contemporary Theatre’s BA (Hons) Performing Arts degree from an astounding 9,000 applicants.
Heather has spent three years at Loughborough College where she has worked through the Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC in Performing Arts but will now study at the Institute’s base in Brighton.
She said: “I feel very accomplished because this has been a long-time goal for me to get into drama school and, for many years, I have been working on improving my skillsets, my weaknesses as well as my strengths. It was so surreal when I got into ICTheatre because it happened so quickly and I knew that, although I’ve worked hard and stayed determined, there was a very small chance of getting into drama school so the skillsets that I’ve built over the last three years was what I had to rely on.”
As part of the audition process, Heather had to send a selfie video of a contemporary and classical speech, as well as a snippet of a song, before being interviewed by the Principal.
The shy teenager initially threw herself into performing arts as a way of expressing herself and to build confidence, but also to spread a little joy.
“I found that I loved performing to an audience, making somebody I don’t know go away from a performance either thinking or feeling something was rewarding because I knew I had done my job,” she said.
And Heather passionately recommends the Loughborough College experience to any aspiring performers.
She said: “This course is a roller coaster. You will go through times where in certain units you won’t be as great as in others, which is completely normal, but with the tutors they will support, guide and challenge you to unlock your fullest potential and help you realise that you can do things that you thought you never could.
“My tutors have been the most supportive I could have ever asked for. They have believed in me more than I've believed in myself, they have genuinely been such a pleasure to work with.
“I don't think I would have had the confidence to audition for drama school without that training and support. I just hope that new students joining next year realise that this experience is something that is going to help, challenge and prepare them so much for their next steps.”
Emma Ledsam, a performing arts lecturer at Loughborough College, said: “We are delighted for Heather and so proud that she’s going on to study her degree. It is so tough to get on to performing arts degree courses because the competition is fierce and there is a wealth of talent out there. But Heather’s outstanding ability and attitude shone through and we are excited to see her career develop.”