WITH former students including Simon Pegg and Ben Elton, Stratford College’s performing arts department has celebrated its 55th anniversary.
Current and past students poured through the doors for a reunion celebration to share memories of the past and celebrate all the students, staff and successes from the past half-century.
Based in Stratford, a cultural centre of the UK as the birthplace of Shakespeare and home to world-class theatre company the Royal Shakespeare Company, the college continues to develop the next generation of talent for the stage and screen.
Former students include film and TV stars including Simon Pegg, Ben Elton, Tobias Menzies, Jo Joyner, Joseph Mawle, and more, along with many current West End stars, dancers, musicians and entertainers.
The performing arts department has covered a range of performance and production practises across many disciplines over the years and currently boasts a variety of subjects including acting, dance, music performance and production, backstage production arts and musical theatre.
The anniversary event was a chance for old and new students to connect, with past students sharing their experiences of the college as well as giving the former students a chance to see the new facilities and reminisce with staff.
And in true performing arts style, guests were also treated to performances including a flashmob dance featuring current students as well as impromptu piano and song performances and a sing along.
Programme manager Claire Morley said: “It has been wonderful to welcome back so many former students to celebrate this anniversary. To hear about the fantastic achievements so many of them have accomplished following studying with us is incredible but even more special is how fondly they speak of their time at college.
“A big thank you to all of our talented and dedicated staff, past and present, without whom none of this would have been possible. I am so proud of each and every person who has been a part of our 55 year history.”
