The South West’s next generation of performing arts professionals are showcasing their acting talents online, thanks to an innovative collaboration between Exeter College, Exeter Northcott Theatre and Luke Jeffery of film and theatre company Wandering Tiger.

Exeter College’s Performing Arts Academy, which comprises of a collection of the College’s talented students who are studying related courses, has long worked in association with the Northcott Theatre, who provide learners with stretching workshops and guest speakers to help enrich students’ experience and give them a real insight into the industry. Now, however, things are stepping up a notch as the collaboration adapts to the new digital world brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic.

From joining the Academy I have gained invaluable skills that will further my career and goals in the future.

Lara Fullalove – Performing Arts Academy student

Students had been hard at work preparing a series of productions for the Northcott’s stage but, due to restrictions, had to adapt their performances for the digital spotlight with support from Luke Jeffery of Wandering Tiger, an award-winning theatre and film making company. Luke provided intensive masterclasses to students, showing them how best to film and create impactful short-form video performances. These performances were then weaved together to create a film – Behind the Curtain – which is now available to view on Exeter Northcott’s website.

Exeter College’s Head of Faculty, Katie Wild, said: “I’m thrilled we’ve been able to continue our long-standing work with Exeter Northcott Theatre by stepping in to the digital performance world with our students. Working with the Northcott Theatre is an incredibly worthwhile relationship for our students, and this Showcase is just another way of showing how, by working together, creative people can adapt to the current restrictions. I’m looking forwarding to seeing what the students produce!”

The project focused on the theme of indoor and outdoor spaces, a somewhat poignant theme considering how many have had to adapt their lives over the last 10 months.

Exeter Northcott Theatre Children and Young People’s Producer, Lisa Hudson, said: “It has been hugely exciting to deliver the Academy provision for Exeter College this year. We’ve had to adapt and develop our teaching and learning in line with the changing restrictions, but throughout it all the Academy students have been resilient and, above all, passionate about learning more about becoming tomorrow’s theatre makers.”

Working with the Northcott Theatre is an incredibly worthwhile relationship for our students, and this Showcase is just another way of showing how, by working together, creative people can adapt to the current restrictions.

Katie Wild – Head of Faculty for Media and Performing Arts at Exeter College

Since the start of the current academic year, the Northcott Theatre has continued to provide relevant industry-led training and development opportunities for learners, including devising scripts, developing ideas and acting for different formats. In previous years, this collaboration has also seen Performing Arts students work with major artists like Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) and even Sir Ian McKellen.

Performing Arts Academy student Oliver Copper said: “The Performance Academy sessions have been really enlightening on how theatre is created, both practically and creatively. Talking to people in the business gives a dynamic perspective on theatre that you don’t usually get from normal lessons.”

Fellow student Lara Fullalove said: “From joining the Academy I have gained invaluable skills that will further my career and goals in the future. From being able to collaborate with likeminded people, I have understood the need for communication and feedback when working on a joint piece of theatre. Moreover, from listening and working with professionals in the industry, I have begun to understand the skills needed to be successful in this line of work.”

The production can now be viewed online.

You can find out more online about the Exeter College Performing Arts Academy.