This week, HSDC has been enriching the learning of its performing arts students by bringing in a wide variety of industry professionals to run workshops, give talks and provide the students with a valuable insight into the contemporary creative industries.
These workshops spanned a truly diverse range of disciplines. On Monday, a stage combat workshop was held in the South Downs theatre by weapons-trained Alex Vasu Rajan-Iyer, a former HSDC student, providing the students with industry-level insight into how to safely perform stage combat.
The stage combat workshop, ran by Alex Vasu Rajan-Iyer.
Tuesday saw HSDC host Youberry Productions, a local theatre company composed entirely of former South Downs acting students who formed the company during their final year of their studies at college. They returned to South Downs for a day of workshops and panel discussions, telling students about their experiences at HSDC and how these helped them succeed in the industry.
Various performing arts schools were also invited in to share their expertise and advice for students wishing to take their performing arts skills to the next level.
Seamus Allen, Head of Foundation Courses at the Oxford School of Drama, ran a workshop for South Downs’ Acting and Musical Theatre students. The OSD is one of the leading drama schools in the country, making sessions such as these invaluable experiences for HSDC’s students.
This workshop was based on a call-back audition, and focused on having an absolute commitment to your art. Seamus gave the students tips on how to ease nerves, roll with the punches and to take themselves less seriously. Speaking to the students, Seamus said:
“All of us here were born to be actors. When you make a mistake, it’s okay. It’s important to own your mistakes, and use them in a way that works for you.”
Seamus Allen’s OSD workshop provided invaluable experience for the students.
When asked if he had advice for the aspiring actors, Seamus said:
“Be the person who volunteers in any activity. Just stand up and go for it. Having fun together is fundamental to acting training, and that’s what we’ve worked on today.”
Seamus also ran a mock audition session in the afternoon, providing constructive feedback for second year and Level 4 students to apply to their future ambitions.
Other schools involved were the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS), a collective of leading drama institutions dedicated to maintaining high standards in performing arts education. The FDS provided HSDC’s students with information about auditions and drama school training, as well as practical workshops where students could meet representatives from various schools.
HSDC’s commitment to artistic excellence means that the College has fostered a strong network of creative alumni, many of whom returned to campus this week to talk to students and staff about their industry experiences.
Ellie Cristofoli is one such alumna, studying the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dance, Performance & Choreography at South Downs from 2015-17. After leaving college, Ellie graduated from Laine Theatre Arts, one of the most prestigious performance schools in Europe, and has since had an illustrious career as a professional dancer on cruise ships.
Ellie Cristofoli’s dance workshop provided students with strength-based guidance.
This week, Ellie returned to HSDC to run a 90-minute dance lesson and to provide insight into the modern dance industry, focusing heavily on the importance of strength and the use of arms when performing complex moves. From arabesques to pirouettes, Ellie helped the students to identify areas of improvement within their routines, providing advice that they will take with them for the remainder of their course.
The industry week was then rounded off with a fantastic Shakespeare workshop with Vicky Gaskin from Open Bar Theatre, before witnessing an incredible performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s ‘King Lear’ at Havant Campus and Alton College.
Sally Barlow, South Downs’ Head of Faculty for Creative Industries, said:
“Our Performing Arts Industry Week is always a powerful demonstration of what it means to be a professional creative. By immersing students across Acting, Dance and Musical Theatre in masterclasses from elite institutions like the Oxford School of Drama, Brighton Academy and Italia Conti, alongside workshops in Shakespeare, stage combat and theatre-making with leading industry professionals and successful alumni, we achieved something vital. Our students weren’t just learning skills; they were building the confidence, connections, and professional mindset necessary to transform their passion into a career. From audition prep to shadowing back-stage roles with the RSC, this week has been foundational in shaping them into versatile, resilient young artists.”
By giving these students a glimpse into the performing arts industries, HSDC ensures that its learners will leave College with the knowledge, skills and experiences required to have a successful career in performance.