KEIRA GAINS PLACE AT PRESTIGIOUS LIVERPOOL INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS SIXTH FORM COLLEGE.

Keira Colley, Year 11 student at Richmond School, recently found out that she has been offered a conditional place to study Acting at the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts Sixth Form College, one of the only further education providers in England to focus on the creative and performing arts.

We caught up with Keira to find out about her recent success and to look back and discover how she arrived in such a unique position.

RS: When and how did performing arts start for you, Keira?

K: I was four years old when I started going to Lazer Cheer. I loved it! The feeling of having an audience – knowing that people were watching you and were loving what you were doing – it was amazing. Also, a big part of what I loved – and still love – was the feeling of making people proud – especially mum!

Later I started going to the Georgian Theatre Royal Youth Theatre in Richmond – I went to the Acting and Musical Theatre classes. I’m still going, in fact. I also started to really enjoy performing arts at school – I chose dance and drama for my GCSEs.

RS: Ok, so you definitely have a good foundation in dance, music and acting. What have been some highlights?

K: One of them was just the other night – the Richmond School Dance Showcase. It was such an amazing evening – the performances and the people. It was a bit emotional too, actually, because I’m moving on next year – so are the Year 13 students. Another highlight is singing with the seniors at the Georgian Theatre, especially One Day More from Les Mis. and the Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge. And the feeling of being able to communicate with tiny changes of expression and movement – I’ve loved finding out that I can do it well and that I can always improve. Also the relationships and teamwork that develop between performers have always been highlights in whatever performance I’m involved in.

RS: You obviously love the performing arts – what made you decide to take it further and apply to LIPA Sixth Form College and how did the application process work?

K: Well, Mrs. Fox said I should have a look first. I wasn’t sure to start with but the more we looked into it, the more it made sense. Ok, it was in Liverpool, but there are loads more performing arts opportunities in a place like that compared to here in Richmond. I applied for two of their courses online – Acting and Musical Theatre – they called me to an audition for both courses.

The first audition was for the Acting course. It started with a workshop where we got to know the other candidates – there were about 20 of us. We were being observed all the time so even though it was quite relaxed, it was still important. We then had to perform a monologue that we’d prepared earlier – that was quite stressful! Then there were interview questions. Again quite relaxed but still quite hard! The second day was the week after – Musical Theatre. The structure of the day was similar but including singing and dance.

Some time later I got an email offering me a conditional place on the Acting course. I have to get at least five grade 4s including in English and Maths, but if I do I’m in!

RS: So, while many of your peers will be living at home studying A-Levels or doing an Apprenticeship or moving on to employment, you’ll be living away from home studying Acting. That sounds scary!

K: A bit, yes, but the accommodation is amazing – it’s mixed between college and university students. Plus I’ll be visiting home a lot! The course is what makes it so brilliant – definitely worth making some sacrifices for. I’m also very aware I’ve had a lot of support to get here – my mum in particular, but also Mrs Fox, Miss Pemberton, Miss Manning and Mr Birdsall at school, amongst many others. Thanks also to Ed Batchelor at the Georgian Theatre – he gave me loads of help with my monologue and audition for LIPA.

RS: It certainly sounds amazing. What about these GCSEs – they’re coming up very soon. How are you feeling about them?

K: A bit nervous, but excited as well. I feel as though I’m quite good at exams so I’m looking forward to doing  my best in them and then concentrating on my future at LIPA Sixth Form College.

RS: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us today Keira. We wish you all the very best with your GCSEs and your future at LIPA. Don’t forget to contact us next year to tell us how it’s going!

The photos show Keira rehearsing for her GCSE drama exam with Paige Baker, a group shot of the cast of a GCSE devised piece and Keira performing at the Georgian Theatre Royal.