A Standing Ovation for Year 10 at Leeds Grand Theatre
Our Year 10 Performing Arts students recently took centre stage for a day of professional industry insight at the historic Leeds Grand Theatre.
The day began with an exploration of the vast "behind-the-scenes" world. Students discovered that the industry goes far beyond acting, learning about careers in scriptwriting, lighting and sound engineering, marketing, costume and set design, session music, and even the specialized craft of puppeteering.
To understand the business side of the arts, students were tasked with designing a seasonal programme for the Grand. This required them to balance creativity with commercial logic, costing out productions to ensure they could put on a profitable and popular show.
The afternoon focused on technical and performance skills:
Atmospheric Design: Students experimented with lighting techniques to transform the mood of a stage.
- Performance: The group put their acting skills to the test by performing short pieces from a professional production.
- The Grand Tour: The day concluded with an exclusive tour of Leeds City Varieties. Students explored the backstage areas, soaked up the history of the dressing rooms, and even stood on the iconic main stage.
It was an unforgettable experience that brought the magic of the theatre to life. Oulton Academy would like to extend a huge thank you to the staff at Leeds Grand Theatre for such a fantastic and inspiring day.
