IT’S show time over at Stockton Riverside College as the curtain goes up on a season of one-off performances.

Performing Arts students have put together an ambitious line-up of shows to mark the culmination of their studies.

The two-week festival promises a variety of performances from variety shows to live music and even film.

The Teesside University students will not only star in the shows, but they have also taken the lead from initial idea through to production.

“It is a real challenge, but it has been really enjoyable,” said BA Hons Performing Arts student, Jade King, who has produced To Infinity... an evening of live music, featuring songs from iconic artists that are no longer with us.

As producer, director and performer, the 21-year-old, who is originally from Cardiff, said: “We have learnt such a lot through this process, not just about performance but about theatre as a business.”

She said: “It is very much like a real life scenario, you have to organise all aspects of putting on the production, from the venue to casting, to the set, sound, lighting and even making sure insurance is in place.”

Bringing cult science fiction musical Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens to the stage is fellow BA Hons Peforming Arts student, Emma Louise Taylorson.

She said producing and art directing the show, as well as performing, has proven a testing but also rewarding experience.

“I wanted to push myself, and I really have,” said the 21-year-old from Chester-le-Street, who had to purchase performance rights to the popular musical.

Setting the theatre out to look like a cabaret bar, where the audience are the punters, she said: “I always knew I wanted to put on a musical because it adds something different to the mix.”

The Higher Education festival, which runs from Tuesday May 5 to Friday May 15 at the college’s Margaret Armstrong Theatre, will include eight individual performances presented by nine Performing Arts students.

Programme leader Narelle Dalton said: “The aim of the students’ final projects is to bring everything together they have learnt on the course.

“If they succeed with this then it shows they are ready to work in the industry. It shows they have the skills and knowledge of what it takes to put on a performance or event and these are all highly transferable skills.”

The BA Hons Performing Arts top up course is delivered at Stockton Riverside College in partnership with Teesside University.

The festival line-up:

Arcanum, Tues May 5, 7pm, tickets £5/£4
A short horror film produced and directed by Hannah Parsons and Shanice Beaven.

Two, Wed May 6, 7pm, tickets £6/£4
Vanessa Trathan presents Jim Cartwright’s play about everyday life in a Northern pub.

Adversity, Thurs May 7, 7pm, tickets £5/£4
A personal journey reflected through song and dance produced and directed by Marisha Dickinson.

Ingenium, Fri May 8, 7pm, The Georgian Theatre, Stockton, tickets £6 adv £8 on door
A live music event showcasing Teesside talent brought to you by Bethany Groom.

Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens, Tues May 12, 7pm, tickets £6/£5
A high energy sci-fi musical brought to you by Emma Louise Taylorson.

Lost and Found, Wed May 13, 7pm, tickets £6/£5
An evening of song and dance produced and directed by Evangeline Dodds.

To Infinity… Thurs May 14, 7pm, tickets £6/£4
Jade King presents a music variety show featuring the music of icons no longer with us.

A Night with Jenny Poole and Guests, Fri May 15, 7pm, £6/£5
A live music show with a classy American cabaret bar feel.

All performances are at the Margaret Armstrong Theatre, Stockton Riverside College, Harvard Avenue, Stockton (unless stated otherwise). Tickets available from the Stockton Riverside College box office on 01642 865465 or www.performingarts.org.uk