When you start training at any drama school, everyone is very much aware of the importance of showcase in their final year of training. It is one of the few opportunities that is certain to happen, and it is the first moment of exposure to industry professionals for every student right before graduation.
Ruth Page
BA Acting student
We had three weeks to prepare our showcase. This included finding material that would make sense as a stand-alone scene as well as offering equal roles for all the characters; contacting and inviting industry professionals; and rehearsals with our course leader and director, Daniele Sanderson.
On the 1st February, we performed our showcase to students, teachers, agents and casting directors based in and around Birmingham. As our audience entered, a small group from our class played live music, formed of three guitarists and two others scat-singing. This was original music written and performed by us, enabling us to showcase additional performance skills. In this ever-changing industry it’s so important for us, as performers, to display a range of skills, a requirement that the school clearly recognises. After our Birmingham showcase we received really positive feedback from our peers and tutors, some of whom have seen us progress over the full three years of training. We were so ready to get to London showcase the next week!
On the following Tuesday (5th February), we performed at the Soho Theatre in London to an invited audience of agents, casting directors and other industry professionals. The Chancellor of BCU, Sir Lenny Henry, was also in attendance which was a real honour for us! There was definitely a buzz backstage. Showcase is essentially the first audition in the professional industry as graduating professional actors. Also, for student actors who are currently based in Birmingham it’s an amazing opportunity for us to perform on a London stage! After the show, which lasted around 45 minutes, we were able to chat to those who had time to stay behind about future opportunities and communications. We are so grateful to all those who attended our showcases in both Birmingham and London, and it was wonderful to receive such great feedback from everyone who came.
We’re now in rehearsals for our final round of shows as students at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
The BA (Hons) Acting spring season is as follows:
Laburnum Grove by J.B Priestley
Directed by Tony Bell
Performances: 13th-16th March at Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham.
The Terror
Devised and directed by Stephen Simms
Performances: 13th-16th March at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham.
Picnic by William Inge
Directed by Daniele Sanderson
Performances: 20th-23rd March at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham.
If you want to find out more about the RBC graduating class of 2019, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @RBCActors2019.
