The cast of New York State of Mind
Performing above expectations
T 32
he facilities at West Suffolk College aren't just for students – a world of entertainment, food and pampering is on offer to be
sampled by the general public. Where can you get your hair done, enjoy a beauty treatment (from manicure to massage), have a meal and a drink plus see an excellent show all under one roof? All these things can be experienced and enjoyed at West Suffolk College – and as those offering the services are students, prices are a fraction of elsewhere. When it comes to performing arts the College has transformed its offering in an exciting and dynamic way having created a centre of excellence last year rebranded as Conservatoire EAST (Entertainment Arts and Supporting Technologies), with a new Performing Arts theatre - The Inspire Theatre – a purpose-built, versatile performance space seating up to 100. Gary Willis, West Suffolk College’s Director of Performance brought a visionary transformation for the creative and technical arts offering at the College. Now in post for a year Gary says: “We have ambitious but achievable plans to make Conservatoire EAST a nationally
Caroline Fitton discovers wide-ranging opportunities for students and the public at the West Suffolk College
dancing, and provides a perfect foundation for further study at drama school or university, or career in the entertainment industry.
Face to face: The play Dracula Jonathan Harker dances with Lucy Westenra
renowned performing arts centre, offering an excellent learning environment to produce dynamic, successful students who will make it in the creative entertainment industries.” A new course which started last September (Performing Arts Musical Theatre Extended Diploma Level 3) offers vocational training in the three main principal disciplines of acting, singing,
Gary explains: “On this exciting, creative and disciplined two year course students are learning all they need to know about working in musical theatre. It's all very exciting at a time when funding for the arts and arts subjects in education is being cut; at this difficult time West Suffolk College is investing which is wonderful.” The Conservatoire Season provides the area with another local community arts centre, offering a platform for student work and visiting professionals, and the labours are already bearing fruit with three exceptional major productions under their belts. At the end of 2014 New York State of Mind was staged, an all- singing, all-dancing spectacular with impressive choreography and staging not to mention performing. February saw a suitably Gothic and blood-curdling production of Dracula with superb special effects, and more recently a drama, The Suicide by Nickolai Erdman, showcased strong acting skills. At Saturday shows catering students are on hand to serve
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92