Final year students to face the final curtain

Final year LIPA students are being encouraged to to take charge of their own productions in preparation for entering into one of the most competitive job markets when they leave education.

The world-famous Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) presented the talents of acting students Holly Easterbrook, Tamira Hamam and Stanley James among others in the 13th annual agent showcase held at the institute on 19th January.

The showcase featured each actor in a group musical piece, an individual monologue and a paired scene.

Preparation for the showcase was very much student led. The actors decided on their own roles considering their individual ‘selling points’. This meant that they had to research their material, reading plays and seeing a variety of productions for their monologue and paired scene before deciding which was best suited to them.

Tutors assisted by guiding the students on how they wanted to portray themselves for their speeches to planning and developing the performance itself.

The institute prides itself on being able to produce ‘thinking practitioners who have the confidence to be both entrepreneurial and creative about their own careers’ but even with this collaboration with others is something that they must do in order for them to realise success.

Tamira Hamam, 21, from Essex said: “In LIPA you learn so much from your colleagues. They’re an amazing group of people.”

James Stanley, 24, from Luton added: “LIPA is good as it encourages everyone to support one another.”
The skills that the institute provides for graduates acts as a firm foundation for them to begin their career but also encourage them to develop skills that they can transfer their knowledge into related work if they are not successful.

Holly Easterbrook, 20 from South West London said: “Even if I end up with £20,000 worth of debt I want to do something I will enjoy and have a passion for. At some point in the future, I might like to use my skills to teach.”