The seniors have been working hard towards their performance of THE VOID on the 18th March. We are so excited to share what we've done with our audiences. Only three weeks to go and still so much to do. Of course there's always time for games though.
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This is what RADA undergraduate Bea Svistunenko has to say about her training with Sherina and Russell Actors:
''I joined a group called the Young Actors' Company in 2007 when I was 12, after a school friend invited me along to audition with her. We were both lucky enough to have been offered places, and since then, I attended weekly classes every Saturday until I left for university in 2013. Over these six formative years, I was taught by the wonderful Sherina Russell, who now leads her very own acting group, Russell Actors. Everything I learnt and all the skills I developed whilst studying with Sherina, from confidence to connectedness, creativity to clarity, have absolutely informed my progress through life, and continue to help me out to this day... They're a gift that keeps on giving. Some of my happiest memories are from her classes, improvisation festivals and productions, where my most solid friendships formed with talented and generous people with whom I'm still close to. Sherina herself has gone from teacher to mentor to a dear and valued friend. Without her guidance over that time I doubt I would have been offered a place on the three year acting BA at RADA after uni in 2016, which is where I am now studying, and am due to graduate from in 2019. I cannot recommend joining Russell Actors enough, as it is a company that will undoubtedly change your life.'' Robbie started training with Sherina when she was in charge of the Colchester branch of Young Actors Company (head of Russell Actors) back in 2008, and stayed for five years. He now works as a Theatre Director and Writer in the UK. Sarah grabbed 5 minutes with him to interview him on his experience with Sherina and Russell Actors.
Sarah: Can you tell us what’s been happening for you since graduating from Russell Actors (then The Young Actor's Company)? Robbie: I went to Cambridge University to study Sociology but ended up doing more Theatre than my degree. I acted in various plays, including a tour of the USA. I then turned to directing, directing a number of student shows. Since graduating from University I have worked professionally in theatre. This has largely been with the Mercury Theatre running workshops, but also assisting directors in West End and off West End venues. I've also created a one-woman play, Wife, that has toured to various venues and went to Edinburgh Fringe. S: Have you got anything coming up that you can tell us about? R: Wife is going to the Manchester Royal Exchange in April which is exciting. I'm also directing Rabbit by Nina Raine for Protocol That at the Mercury Theatre, which will then tour to Ipswich and London. I'm planning on taking a play to Melbourne Fringe Festival in September 2018. I'm currently editing a short film that I wrote and directed, which should be finished and out in early 2018. S: Wow, Amazing stuff. I can't wait to see all of these things in action! How long were you with Russell Actors? R: For about 5 years! Then I helped out with running classes and still go back to run workshops sometimes. S: Has Russell Actors helped you in your development as an artist? R: It's definitely helped me a lot for my professional life in theatre. S: In what way? R: It introduced me to concepts, styles and attitudes in theatre-making from an early age that set me up well. I also had a confidence and security in knowing some ways to go about making theatre because of the opportunities RA gave us to grow our own projects. It also taught me to make theatre in a way that avoids pretentiousness and is collaborative and open. Rabbit will open at The Mercury Theatre on the 23rd March. Tickets available here: https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/rabbit/ Follow Robbie on Twitter @RTaylorHunt On Saturday we had our Improvisation Festival at The Lakeside Theatre, Colchester! This is a chance for the two branches to get together and put their improv skills to the test. We've just done a whole term on improv in preparation for this, and the young actors really impressed judge Neil D'arcy Jones (Packing Shed Theatre) by throwing themselves into group and solo improvisations. Prizes were given out at the end and and lots of fun was had. There was time to play games and lift each other up in the air too of course!
Last Friday we had a ridiculously exciting excursion- we not only saw the hilarious west-end show 'The Play That Goes Wrong' but we also got to meet the cast afterwards and ask them all about the secrets behind the scenes! The play was the perfect inspiration for our Impro Festival, and the cast were so warm and welcoming as they shared their stories and asked about our group. Such a treat! Huge thanks to Mark Bell the director who helped to arrange this for us :)
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