To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re recognising some of our inspirational creative female students.  

Wide Awake

Thirteen of our incredible Performing Arts Academy students recently produced and performed their own scratch performance, Wide Awake.  

Based around the theme of protests, the students explored how it’s going to be their generation who has to save the world. From placards to speeches, soapboxes to flash mobs, the students creatively represented the art of protesting.  

The students worked together well to create and develop the scratch performance; undertaking field visits, workshops and meeting with industry professionals. 

Drama and Theatre Studies student Ella Edmonds said, “This Scratch Performance shows a different type of theatre – it’s not one long linear play, it’s made up of different elements and approaches. I think it’s also quite a fun way to bring up the points that we wanted to without it being preachy. It was a lot of fun and we all enjoyed the experience.”  

With the support of freelance theatre practitioner Katie Villa, students wrote, produced and performed the thought-provoking show. The experience helped students develop skills in a wide variety of disciplines; something that should help them in a competitive industry.  

The concept of a scratch performance within the industry is to share work and gather feedback, discovering what does and doesn’t work. This again helps students to build upon their skills and learn for future performances.  

Audience member Kailem Hodge shared his opinion on the performance, “It was really good. I enjoyed the getting involved in writing a placard at the beginning; it felt very inclusive like we became a part of the performance.”

Forge

Chloe Harris, a second year Foundation Art Degree student, has recently had her work exhibited in Exeter.  

Titled ‘Forge’, Chloe’s triptych work was shown in the AWEsome Art Space in February this year.  

When talking about her styles and influences Chloe said, “I am increasingly finding creating art in a set of images works well with my abstract style.  Triptych, for these three, provided a consistency to the still life subject.” 

Chloe continued, “It was great to see my art in a professional context and I’d welcome another opportunity to exhibit again with more work. I have already entered the triptych for the Royal Academy Summer Show. 

“It’s important women take part in creative subjects because they are a great way to communicate. Also, for women with less confidence, the art can speak for itself. People’s perception and interpretation of art is what interests me the most.”