Arts

Applications rise for East 15

East 15 Acting School, have recorded an all time high application rate for 2003. With the increase of UCAS applications up nearly 60 per cent on last year, the School is without a doubt one of the strongest and most sought after drama schools in the UK.

UCAS applications have jumped by 58 per cent meaning that securing a place on one of the vocational courses is more difficult than ever with more than 30 applicants for every one place on the BA Acting Course. For postgraduate courses, there are now four applicants for every place.

Over the past couple of years new courses have been introduced to meet the demands of the professional Theatre, TV, film and related industries. In 2001 a new Postgraduate Acting for the Media Course was introduced for students wishing to make their mark in film, TV and radio, this was followed by a new Contemporary Theatre course which commenced in 2002. New buildings and improvements have been made to accommodate the rapidly expanding school.

Director of the School, John Baraldi said 'It is rewarding to see the growing popularity of East 15 courses. From what we understand, RADA – the most famous and well-funded drama school in the UK – registered almost 1,700 applications this year. So our 1,400 is a credible achievement. Part of our success is our targeted marketing of key sources of students. But word of mouth is also important. Our audition process lasts a full day during which time we give small groups of students an experience of acting, movement, and singing – and feedback on their audition pieces as well. Thus even rejected students go away feeling that they have achieved something.'

He added: 'There has also been a positive spin-off for our summer schools as well. Last year, we registered over 109 students for our adult summer schools – many of those attending being students who failed to gain entry to our full-time courses. It is fascinating to see the range of applicants – from Oxford trained lawyers to reformed drugs addicts – from students with four As at A level to mature students with hardly any proper schooling. Somewhere in the world of HEFCE measuring devices, there must be a special place for a school with such a diversity of applicants!'

In September the School is due to open a new teaching and technical building. This will house state of the art facilities for technical support in wardrobe and set design as well as space in which to teach a new BA degree in stage management and related technical subjects from 2004.

Impressions success

Anyone who has walked past the University's Albert Sloman Library in recent weeks cannot have failed to notice a recent addition to the campus. The striking Hollywood sign, a tribute to the famous one in Los Angeles, is part of the current Gallery exhibition False Impressions?

The Hollywood sign being installed

The sign was installed over a three day period by artist Keran James and MA Gallery Studies students. It was just one of the works of art on display that were viewed by well over 150 visitors who attended the private view, which was attended by numerous well known artists taking part in the exhibition.
The students who have curated the exhibition have reported continued success following the private view, with approximately 40 visitors per day.

Boost for Wivenhoe arts venue

Plans to convert a disused railway shed into a community arts centre in Wivenhoe have been boosted by a £75,000 grant.
The Engine Shed Project, which aims to provide performance, rehearsal and exhibition space, will receive the grant from the Railway Heritage Trust.

The University is supporting the project as a potential user of the centre, which would be managed and promoted by the charitable Wivenhoe Community Association.

With the University keen to develop its arts outreach programme, it sees the venue’s potential for workshops linked to Lakeside Theatre productions, and schools activities, as well as providing additional space for student-led drama or music productions and rehearsals.

The Railway Heritage Trust grant will help meet the first phase cost of restoring the listed building at Wivenhoe railway station. Further grant applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council are planned.

For more information about the project, see www.wivenhoe.gov.uk/engineshed.htm