After months of waiting in the wings, Stockton Riverside College is celebrating the official launch of its new Academy of Performing and Technical Arts (APTA).
The initiative brings together creative students from across the college, to further develop their skills by working on collaborative projects.
First up was the APTA launch show, which due to go live earlier this year, had to be put on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions. But this month the creative team was finally able to showcase what they can do, transforming it into a virtual performance.
Stockton Riverside College principal, Lesley Graham, said: “I was delighted to see the students share their performance after all the hard work, rehearsals, planning and set-up.”
Developing students’ creative and technical knowledge, growth and development manager, Tom Guest, explained, APTA is about far more than what you see on the stage. Based at the college’s Stockton campus, the academy brings together students from subjects including performing arts, art and design, fashion, makeup for stage and screen, and film and TV.
Tom said: “It will bring more opportunities for collaboration between our students than ever before.”
APTA also offers new higher education opportunities with the launch of new Foundation Degrees in Acting and Musical Theatre, delivered in partnership with Teesside University, as well as developing core skills in enterprise.
While the creative industries have been hit hard by the impact of Covid, college principal Lesley said: “The arts is a massive industry which contributes a lot to our economy, I believe it will bounce back. People are finding new and different approaches to get the arts and the creative sector out there, and our own show was an example of that.”
To find out more about APTA or any of the creative courses available at Stockton Riverside College visit www.stockton.ac.uk or join the college’s next online open event on Thursday November 19th, 5.30pm-7.30pm.
Behind the scenes with APTA…
Behind the camera
The role of the film and TV crew at Stockton Riverside College stepped up a gear when the APTA launch was swapped to a virtual performance. Behind the camera was student Tom. “I have never filmed a performance before, so it was a completely new challenge,” he said. “We had to come up with ideas for different shots, think about the camera angles and set up the equipment.” He admits it was hard work and even stressful at times but, he added: “It’s probably some of the best work I have done so far.”
The make-up artists
There’s more to being a makeup artist than just makeup, as makeup for stage and screen student Elouise will tell you. The, 17-year-old from Thornaby, said: “There is the planning and design, taking into account scripts, costume, themes and colour schemes, and then there’s the budgeting.” Working alongside other creative subjects, she said, gives you a much greater appreciation of other people’s roles, and the best bit is: “You feel more appreciated too.”
The artists
APTA has been a source of inspiration for art and design students at Stockton Riverside College. Lecturer Liz Dixon said: “Being part of a whole creative team demonstrates how everything links together and shows the diversity of careers in art and design, such as set or costume design, model making or graphics.” Currently designing their own miniature theatre sets, students Jamie, 20, from Stockton, and Millie, 16, of Billingham, are embracing the challenges. Millie said: “APTA is a really good idea because a lot of the creative subjects cross over and it’s good to talk to and work with people from other creative areas.”
On stage
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of full theatre when it comes to performing, but APTA students have been learning to adapt to new ways of reaching their audience. “We knew there was a chance we wouldn’t be able to do the live performance, so filming was a contingency plan,” said Musical Theatre student Eve, 17, of Yarm. Izzy, 18, of Thornaby added: “In this business you have to be adaptable and able to think on your feet. Looking into a camera is so different to live performing but it was a new challenge and a new skill.” FdA Musical Theatre student Ellie, 19, of Thornaby, said: “I want to learn and explore as much of the industry as I can. This was something new and different and we were just pleased to still be able to share our work.”
