CAPA College launch new website for their Outreach and Education programme CHARGE

CAPA College have launched a new website for CHARGE, their inspirational Outreach and Education programme, as they look to expand their artistic offering to people of all ages from across Yorkshire and the North of England.

CAPA College (Creative and Performing Arts College) has successfully gained a reputation for excellence in Arts training and education for students aged 16-19, offering its students access to exceptional teachers alongside industry standard facilities. Launched in September 2019, CHARGE has expanded this training to provide even more high-quality Arts opportunities to the wider community.

CHARGE kickstarted with an exceedingly well-received dance workshop tour for schools in Yorkshire in 2019. Aimed at students in Key Stages 3 & 4, these CHARGE Education workshops promote progression routes within the Arts by offering free access to CAPA College’s Arts training within mainstream education.

CAPA College’s Talent Development Leader, Sean Selby, says, “It has been amazing going to different dance departments across Yorkshire. CHARGE Education’s school workshops tour has allowed the teachers to access further knowledge and support to help raise the profile of dance within their school.”

In addition to CHARGE Education, the programme has now widened its reach to include CHARGE Boys and CHARGE Outreach, offering workshops to boys aged 12-16 and community groups across Yorkshire, including the launch of the Children in Care Choir.

CHARGE Boys offers free weekly workshops, allowing young men in the community to develop their dance skills, fitness and confidence. The programme adapted to the restraints of UK lockdown and interactive workshops are now held virtually. With first-class dance training being provided by a highly experienced and inspiring all-male, professional teaching team in a variety of styles from contemporary, jazz and urban to breakdancing, the students are given all the skills to excel within the Arts.

“This has been the best experience that I wish could go on forever”, said a member of CHARGE Boys. “Coming from a non-technical dance background I was a bit worried about if I would be good enough but the support from the teaching staff has been amazing.”

CHARGE will continue to expanding its offering and provide even more opportunities to people across the North of England in the upcoming months.

The new dedicated CHARGE website will enable people to keep up to date with the latest news and information as well as access details about how to get involved in the events, workshops and performances that the programme has to offer.

Alongside the launch of the new website, follow @chargeukarts across Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with CAPA College’s Outreach and Education programme, CHARGE.

Visit the CHARGE website here: chargeukarts.co.uk

Follow CHARGE on social media: @chargeartsuk

Momentum Theatre discuss what we don’t talk about in If Not Now, When? workshop

“I dunt like it when you talk abart it”

As we continue to work through our read through, discussing the context of this play in light of what is happening in the world today, we found that this week we raised the question, “what do we avoid talking about?” Grief and death were at the focus of this question in response to    the following lines from the two main characters, siblings, Liam and Chelsey:

Liam: And you dunt have to say owt either. But I know this int reyt.

Chelsey: Yeah. I dunt like it when you talk abart it me. Makes me feel reyt uncomfortable. Like, dya know when you see two toothbrushes kiss. It’s exactly like that.

Liam: No it’s not mate.

What Liam is talking about here is the lack of discussion that they have surrounding the death of their mother and their avoidance of expressing their grief together.

Initially I asked the cast and creatives, “what doesn’t Chelsey want to talk about regarding her mum?” but the conversation developed, and we began to consider what we don’t always address generally in society and the funny things we keep to ourselves.  This helped to develop thoughts about the little things we miss about people we lose and how a small thing can become a precious memory; sometimes too hard to talk about, sometimes something to laugh out loud about.

Two of the cast, Freya and Ryan have recorded their responses to this which you can listen to below:

CAPA College stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter  

Over the past two weeks, staff and students at CAPA College have spent time reflecting, listening and learning in light of global events and the Black Lives Matter movement. To all of our black students, colleagues, alumni, artists, audiences and community – we see you, we hear you and we are with you. We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. 

We have had a multitude of open discussions with students in classes and tutorials, allowing both staff and students the opportunity the share their thoughts and feelings about Black Lives Matter. The compassion and bravery of our students has been incredible, and their input has been essential in planning how we can, should and will respond.  

We continue to put equality and accessibility to outstanding arts education at the heart of what we do but will strive to do more through our work to challenge racial injustices and amplify marginalised voices. As a starting point, CAPA College students discussed and shared their favourite books, films, TV shows and podcasts that highlight black history and the black experience today. There is more to do, and we acknowledge that this work is both ongoing and essential. For now, CAPA College greatly encourages our readers to listen, learn and spread the message that Black Lives Matter. 

Find ways to help Black Lives Matter here: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ 

Recommendations 

TV Shows: 

• When They See Us –2019, Created by Ava DuVernay 
• The Hate You Give – 2018, Directed by George Tillman Jr. 
• Atlanta –2016, Created by Donald Glover 
• American Son –2019, Directed by Kenny Leon 
• 13th – 2016, Directed by Ava DuVernay  

Films: 

• BlacKKKlansman – 2018, Directed by Spike Lee 
• Get Out – 2017, Directed by Jordan Peele 
• The Help – 2011, Directed by Tate Taylor 
• 12 Years a Slave – 2014, Directed by Steve McQueen 
• Just Mercy – 2019, Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton 
• Detroit – 2017, Directed by Kathryn Bigelow 

Books: 

• To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee 
• The Colour Purple – Alice Walker 
• The Bluest Eye- Toni Morrison 
• Noughts & Crosses – Malorie Blackman 

Books (non-fiction): 

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou 
• Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge 
• White Fragility – Robin Diangelo 
• How to be an Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi 
• So You Want to Talk About Race – Ijeoma Oluo 

Podcasts: 

• The Diversity Gap 
• About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge 
• 1619, a Podcast from The New York Times 

CAPA College prepares to embrace life after lockdown

Wakefield’s prestigious Creative and Performing Arts College welcomes students back through its doors and announces exciting plans to broaden the city’s artistic provision

Like schools, colleges and universities up and down the country, CAPA College closed its doors on Friday 20^th March. In the uncertainty of coronavirus its students faced a summer term with no final examinations, end of year show or straightforward progression to higher education and professional employment. But the remarkably resilient College, which is no stranger to fighting for its students’ futures, responded to the challenges of Covid 19 with zeal.

In a matter of days CAPA College, which has already positively embraced the use of technology in its teaching and learning, launched its new virtual campus. Laptops were issued on long-term loans and since then students have been taking part in a full remote learning timetable with live-streamed classes, active-participation dance, drama and singing workshops, collaborative digital projects, virtual tutorials and guest masterclasses with celebrated performers and creatives from the world of film and television. The response has been phenomenal with an average 96% daily attendance this term.

This week CAPA College’s second year students are marking their final week at the Wakefield institution. While things are certainly unorthodox – final celebrations will take place exclusively online via conference calling – the College have worked tirelessly to ensure that its students still have bright futures ahead. Graduates this year have already gained offers to study at the UK’s top universities and arts conservatoires, including ArtsEd, Mountview, the Guildford School of Acting, Rambert, The Place and Laine Theatre Arts.

CAPA College’s first year students also have plenty to look forward to, as some students will return to the College’s city centre campus for face-to-face classes and tutorials from next Monday 15^th June. For the rest of term students will be working with professional artists from across the UK to create a series of new digital productions, which will be showcased at prestigious virtual events in upcoming months.

CAPA College is currently renting temporary accommodation at Unity House, Wakefield while it awaits the completion of its new, multi-million pound, purpose-built facilities on Mulberry Way (opposite Wakefield Westgate train station). Work on the flagship home of CAPA College, which will house a 150-seater theatre, rehearsal studios, production workshops and an amphitheatre, temporarily halted at the beginning of the year when Clugston Construction fell into administration. However construction will resume on the site in the very near future as the College are currently working with the Department for Education to appoint new contractors and work swiftly towards the completion of the incredible building, which is already being heralded as the ‘Gateway to Wakefield’.

In the meantime, however, CAPA College have been exploring other opportunities in the city and can now announce that from September 2020 they will be expanding their provision with unprecedented use of Unity House. Work is already underway to transform the Grade II-listed office building, which is also home to Lobby 1867 and The Establishment, into a spectacular Creative and Performing Arts centre.

CAPA College’s residency at Unity House will see the installation of nine industry-standard Performing Arts studios alongside rehearsal spaces, singing studios, a state of the art media suite, specialist production workshops, classrooms, offices and meeting spaces. The College will also bring to life Unity House’s 600-seater Major Hall, which once brought the likes of Eurhythmics, The Specials and Iron Maiden to Wakefield.

These facilities will be home for the College’s 250 full-time students who are enrolled on four specialist artistic pathways: Performing Arts, Dance, Drama and Production Arts and Media. However, for the first time members of the public will be invited to take part in classes, workshops and projects led by College’s team of award-winning teachers, dramaturges, choreographers, musical directors, designers and technicians.

CHARGE, the highly anticipated Outreach and Education Programme from CAPA College, was launched in September 2019 and already provides unique opportunities for talented young people aged 12-16 and works alongside key organisations such as Wakefield Children and Young People’s Partnership. However from the new artistic hub at Unity House, CAPA College will be expanding its outreach provision and offering more opportunities to our community in the new academic year. Watch this space!

Claire Nicholson, Principal of CAPA College, says ‘We are so excited about what will be able to offer from our new extended base at Unity House. It is paramount to the ethos of CAPA College that our students have access to the best teaching, facilities and experiences as we look to inspire and train the next generation of performers, creatives, designers and technicians. But we are also thrilled to now be in a position to share some of the magic of CAPA College with the wider community. We hope that CAPA College will become another hub for artistic talent in the North of England.’

Once again CAPA College has proved that with its dedicated, award-winning team in place and with ongoing support from its governors and Enhance Academy Trust, no obstacle is insurmountable in the quest to nurture the North’s greatest young talents. Thanks to CAPA College the future of British Creative and Performing Arts lives right here in Wakefield.

If Not Now, When? development continues as the Momentum Theatre cast begin their first read through

In last week’s rehearsal we were meant to focus on finishing our first read through…we read 10 pages. One line, “you know what mum would say”, sparked the question, “what does she say?” or rather, “what do our mums say?”.  With that, we all listed the little things that we hear/heard in our own homes from those who we are dependent; whether that be mum, dad, sibling, aunt, uncle etc. There was much laughter at the oddities of each family’s little quirks and moments of “my mum says that”, and we found commonalities with the echoes of mums shouting “if I get to three” or “it’s like Blackpool illuminations in here”.  We’d love to hear the phrases that remind you of home so do share some in the comments! 

With the production being developed by the cast playing the roles in collaboration with their peers, we were able to select those phrases that are common amongst us all, things we all own and save these as sources for improvisations when we return to the studio. As a director I am very much inspired by Ariane Mnouchkine and Théâtre du Soleil in terms of the importance of improvisation and the “ownership” of a role, “… actors had to give up in the first phase any notion of owning a role or even an improvised moment- a moment that would often be slipped into another actors repertory” (Judith Miller).  When asked by Andrew Dixon for The Guardian why Mnouchkine thought improvisation was so important, she responded with the following:  

“It is a strange question, because would you ask an author why ink is important? It’s a way of writing. In our company, actors are really the authors.” Even when they’re dealing with a pre-existing text? “Theatre is not only what you say, it’s what you do. It’s the reaction that has to be caught, it’s the mood, the emotion, the state of mind.” 

As the writer, Isabel is there ready to catch these moments too and we are almost all co-authors of the memories we are building for Liam and Chelsey, fleshing out the relationship they had with their Mum.  Even if we don’t hear these things as an audience they serve as a little bit of that needed subtext that can drive the performance between them all on stage…an unspoken play transparent in their physicality.   

So, we may have only read 10 pages but we have created many possible structures for future “in the flesh” improvisations and the collaboration between creatives gets stronger.  Here’s a couple of moments from the read through for you to enjoy.  The first is Dominic playing Liam and the second, Kayleigh who plays Chelsey (please note the second recording is not appropriate for young ears!) 

Listen here:

CAPA College’s virtual alumni event reunites Performing Arts stars from across the UK 

On Friday 29th May, CAPA College (Creative and Performing Arts College) launch their first alumni event to reunite their graduates living nationwide with the Wakefield based College. As Wakefield’s first DfE-funded Free School, CAPA College provides specialist education and training in various aspects of media and the theatrical arts for students aged 16–19. Students receive professional Arts training alongside rigorous academic study. But while the studios of the College’s multi-site campus are usually alive with a sea of leotards and ballet shoes, recently it has been a different story. 

Like schools, colleges and universities up and down the country, CAPA College closed its doors on Friday 20th March. The College successfully faced lockdown head on, now offering a full remote learning timetable with live streamed classes, active participation dance, drama and singing workshops, collaborative digital projects and face to face tutorials for ongoing pastoral support. Covering everything from ensemble singing and devising to ballet, Fosse and jazz, these interactive lessons ensure students can continue with their artistic studies in these uncertain times. 

The success of College’s online campus caught the attention of their alumni. CAPA College graduates took to social media to express their enthusiasm to join in with the classes that they missed so dearly. One past student said:  

“Would love a good insanity workout right about now!! Miss CAPA College so much!” 

CAPA College alumni have gone on to study at the best Arts universities and conservatoires in the UK. Their graduates’ impressive careers have led them to star on the West End stage, appear in Hollywood movies and become the next generation of directors, designers and technicians. Most recently alumni have stared in Saturday Night Fever UK & International Tour, along with West End shows Waitress and City of Angels. These alumni located across the UK will now be reunited as the Wakefield based College that kickstarted their success has planned a virtual alumni reunion, allowing CAPA College graduates a chance to take a step back in time from the comfort of their own homes. 

Claire Nicholson, Principal of CAPA College says: “We are so proud of the impressive careers that our graduates have gone on to achieve and we’re excited that our virtual event will reunite us with all of our talented past students. We’re so pleased that our alumni look back so fondly on their time at CAPA College – it shows we’re giving them the best start.” 

The online event will be so much more than your standard meet & greet reunion as CAPA College have timetabled a jam-packed ‘step back in time’ programme for their graduates. Along with catching up with staff members and other graduates, alumni will have the opportunity to participate in their favourite classes from their time at CAPA College. From commercial dance classes to physical CORE and jazz workshops, they will re-live some great memories and put their stamina to the test. 

CAPA College plan for this to be the first of many alumni events as they open their new state-of-the-art facilities next year. CAPA College’s permanent home on Mulberry Way (opposite Wakefield Westgate train station) will house dance, drama and singing studios as well as industry-standard production facilities and media suites, a 150-seat theatre, a public café and an amphitheatre. As the ‘Gateway to Wakefield’ this facility will not only be open to current CAPA College students, but graduates and the wider community alike. 

See the highlights from the virtual event:

Meet the Cast of If Not Now, When? 

CAPA College recently received National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England to develop, If Not Now, When?, a play written by second year student and emerging young writer Isabel Hague for a regional tour. Research and development of the play has continued despite social lockdown with online workshops ensuring that the project continues with strength (listen to the If Not Now, When? R&D Podcast here). 

The play will be performed by CAPA College’s in-house theatre company, Momentum Theatre. With the cast list recently announced, students can now begin to fully explore the characters that they are set to perform. Directed by in-house directors Stacey Johnstone and Katy Dartsch with support from guest director, Joseph Hancock, If Not Now When? will become a full-length studio performance of 80 minutes and will tour across the Yorkshire region.   

Watch the video below to hear Isabel Hague talk about her journey so far and meet the cast of If Not Now, When?: 

CAPA College’s exciting new Masterclass programme kickstarts with renowned guest artists from across the world 

After implementing its phenomenal new remote learning timetable (read more here), CAPA College has now set its sights on broadening the range of online classes and enrichment opportunities for its students. 

In addition to offering a jam-packed timetable of interactive live classes taught by the College’s team of top professional teachers, directors, choreographers, musical directors, designers and technicians, CAPA College has now introduced an innovative new programme of guest masterclasses. 

Each week, CAPA College students will take part in workshops hosted remotely by industry renowned artists from across the world. These award-winning creatives from Mississippi, Holland, Belgium and beyond will be delivering exclusive content in the upcoming weeks. 

As well as live dance classes, scriptwriting workshops, digital media masterclasses and much more, students will have the unique opportunity to take part in question and answer sessions with these acclaimed guests, allowing them to gain valuable advice on the Arts industry from experts within their field. 

The new and innovative Masterclass programme commenced with a series of high-energy dance classes delivered by West End performer Lisa Mathieson to students enrolled on the Dance and Musical Theatre pathways.  

Lisa’s astounding career in musical theatre has seen her perform in incredible shows from ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ to starring in the original cast of Tim Minchin‘s Olivier Award- winning musical ‘Groundhog Day’. With such an impressive career, students were keen to receive her valuable advice on how to succeed with their training at CAPA College: 

“You have to make sure that you work really hard. It is hard work. I am so competitive because in my head I say I need to be better than that person. If she can do three turns then I’m doing four, if she can leap high then I’m leaping higher. Have an end goal and be ready to work for it.” 

The CAPA College Masterclass programme has continued with spectacular success. Last week an incredible array of acclaimed artists provided exclusive workshops for students enrolled across all four pathways (Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre and Production Arts & Media). From professional actor Ashley Pekri’s interactive drama workshop to musical director and CAPA College alumni, Billy Bullivant providing valuable mock auditions, students have benefitted from a one-to-one audience with some of the world’s top creatives. 

Students have taken to social media to express their gratitude to the guest artists: 

“thank you so much @ashleypekri for the masterclass today @CAPACOLLEGE. It was so so helpful and I’ll definitely be reading over my notes and using them for future reference!” 

One highlight of the Masterclass programme has been a series of exciting live classes from Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions winner Glen ‘Pulse’ Murphy. The dancer, best known as being part of the duo act ‘Twist and Pulse’, was impressed with the positive attitudes and hard work shown by the CAPA College students.  

CAPA College would like to take this opportunity to thank the guest artists for their engaging and innovative workshops. 

CAPA College provides it students with professional training and academia which combined with these enrichment activities are a huge part of what makes the College unique. Despite the uncertain current climate, many of the College’s second-year students have already received offers from the best Arts universities and conservatoires in the UK. 

With even more incredible Masterclasses coming up, keep up to date by following CAPA College on social media: @capacollege 

CAPA College begin research and development for play ‘If Not Now, When?’ by launching an insightful new podcast 

CAPA College received National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England to develop, If Not Now, When?, written by young, emerging writer Isabel Hague (read more here). Research and development has now begun for the CAPA College student’s 2019 National Theatre New Views annual playwriting competition winning play If Not Now, When?, which is set to tour across the Yorkshire region. 

The play will be performed by CAPA College’s in-house theatre company, Momentum Theatre, directed by in-house directors Stacey Johnstone and Katy Dartsch and supported by guest director, Joseph Hancock who will contribute to making If Not Now, When? a full-length studio performance of 80 minutes.  

Despite the current uncertain times brought by the UK lockdown meaning that R&D must begin in an unconventional way, the show must go on! CAPA College’s Momentum Theatre have already begun online workshops ensuring that the project continues with strength. 

Director, Stacey Johnstone says: “Like many companies, funded and/or planned projects are one of those things we are holding on to and carry with us through these isolated but not entirely disconnected times. These projects are the good kinds of baggage, the things we choose to carry forwards with us. The very title of the show is what many people will be asking of venues If Not Now, When? We are sitting with “when”, being in the future, a future that will inevitably happen, after many deep breaths together.” 

If Not Now, When?, explores character Liam’s turbulent relationship with his sister Chelsey. Liam is misusing alcohol, but Chelsey sees his potential. In a world fractured by their family’s past, Chelsey and Liam try to piece together their future. As the R&D begins, it is important for the cast to explore the character relationships to create a meaningful and poignant play. Isabel Hague says, “Their relationship is clearly unique but despite the fact they are siblings by definition, they will always be friends by choice.” 

Director Stacey Johnstone has begun documenting this process in an insightful new podcast. Starting with characterisation, continue to follow the journey of Momentum Theatre’s R&D of If Not Now, When? in weekly new podcasts which will be added to this news story. Listen to week one’s podcast below: 

The future of online education? Meet the Yorkshire College thriving during lockdown

The top choice for budding singers, dancers, actors and creatives in the North of England, CAPA College is home to over 250 of the country’s most promising young stars. As Wakefield’s first DfE-funded Free School, CAPA College provides specialist education and training in various aspects of media and the theatrical arts for students aged 16-19 with alumni going on to star on the West End stage, appear in Hollywood movies and become the next generation of directors, designers and technicians. But while the studios of the College’s multi-site campus are usually alive with a sea of leotards and ballet shoes, recently it has been a different story.

Like schools, colleges and universities up and down the country, CAPA College closed its doors on Friday 20th March. In the uncertainty of coronavirus students not only faced a summer term with no exams, they were also denied the opportunity to showcase their recent artistic creations, develop their all-important portfolios and broaden their training in this highly competitive industry. But when one door closes, another one opens. While other educators scrambled to find online resources and create remote learning packs, CAPA College was already ready to power up its online campus.

Since opening its doors in 2018 CAPA College has invested heavily in technology and its digital infrastructure. The College is proudly paper free and operates a ‘Bring Your Own’ device policy for lessons, while making a range of technical equipment from laptops to cameras, microphones and drones freely available. With the structure of systems like Office 365, RingCentral and Dropbox, students enrolled across the four pathways (Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre and Production Arts & Media) are used to creating digital notebooks, submitting their work and receiving feedback online and accessing the latest e-learning resources.

Eddie Copp, Artistic Director of CAPA College, says ‘The use of technology in education is extremely important. We strive to ensure our students have access to the latest equipment and are kept up to date with advancements in the industry. Whether they are learning to tech a show with lighting, sound and costume or simply market themselves online, these digital tools are vital to kickstart a professional career.’

With an award-winning team of teachers, directors, choreographers and dramaturgs at the helm, lockdown proved to be a mere stumbling block for this innovative College. With laptops issued on long-term loans, in a matter of days students were taking part in lessons from the new virtual campus. CAPA College now offers a full remote learning timetable with live streamed classes, active participation dance, drama and singing workshops, collaborative digital projects and face to face tutorials for ongoing pastoral support. Covering everything from ensemble singing and devising to ballet, Fosse and jazz, these interactive lessons ensure students can continue with their artistic studies in these uncertain times.

The response to CAPA College’s virtual learning has been phenomenal with an average 96% daily attendance and many students logging on to take advantage of the College’s extra Easter timetable which was offered to provide some stability during lockdown. Parents have been quick to express their support for the College:

‘I am in awe at what your staff have managed to achieve in such a short timeframe. The level of professionalism and enthusiasm is inspiring, and if the impact you have made on my daughter is replicated across your student base, you are not only taking care of their educational needs, you are providing them with a motivational lifeline to carry them through these troubled times.’

Teaching and learning continues to develop at CAPA College in spite of the pandemic. This week the College invested in two additional cloud-based applications, Soundtrap and WeVideo, to allow students to record, upload and share their own media online. And of course, the show must go on. This term students will create and perform their own original choreography, theatre and digital media from their own homes. It is not necessary to tread the boards to create new and inspiring works and CAPA College has fully embraced the fact that lockdown provides a unique opportunity for its students to think creatively about their Art.

CAPA College has also kickstarted an exciting new programme of masterclasses with guest workshops being delivered remotely by acclaimed national and international artists. Starting with National Theatre and New Vic Theatre Director Joe Hancock and West End performer Lisa Mathieson, award-winning creatives from Mississippi, Holland, Belgium and beyond will be delivering exclusive content in the upcoming weeks. Students have taken to social media to share their enthusiasm for the new virtual CAPA College:

‘Wow @CAPACOLLEGE you amaze me! Not only providing theory lessons but also practical. Thank you for pushing us as much as you normally do’

‘Loving virtual @CAPACOLLEGE. We may not be in those studios, but I am forever grateful we are still getting the same opportunities from home!’

With their refreshing approach to online learning CAPA College are not only ensuring that their students are not disadvantaged by the current pandemic, they are equipping them with the skills to flourish in the new digital world. Armed with an impressive portfolio, a can-do attitude and an understanding of the very latest trends and developments in the field, it is not surprising that many second year students have already received offers from the best Arts universities and conservatoires in the UK.

If Not Now, When? was originally performed at the National Theatre as the winning entry of New Views 2019.

(© Emma Hare)

CAPA College to stage student Isabel Hague’s award-winning play “If Not Now, When?” with the support from the National Theatre. 

CAPA College has received National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England to develop, If Not Now, When?, a play written by second year student and emerging young writer Isabel Hague. The R&D production, also supported by the Civic, Barnsley, will tour the Yorkshire region from May 2020.

With Dramaturgy mentorship from National Theatre’s Stewart Pringle, the play will be performed by CAPA College’s in house theatre company, Momentum Theatre, directed by in-house directors Stacey Johnstone and Katy Dartsch and supported by guest director, Joseph Hancock who will contribute to making If Not Now, When? a full-length studio performance of 80 minutes.

CAPA College is based in Wakefield and provides full-time, free, post-16 education in the arts: Dance, Drama, Performing Arts and Production Arts.  The 17-year-old, CAPA College student from Barnsley, South Yorkshire won the 2019 National Theatre New Views annual playwriting competition with her play If Not Now, When?. The play was then professionally produced with a professional cast, crew and creative team (as part of New Views) in the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre in July 2019.

If Not Now, When?, explores Liam’s turbulent relationship with his sister Chelsey. Liam is misusing alcohol, but Chelsey sees his potential. In a world fractured by their family’s past, Chelsey and Liam try to piece together their future. Isabel Hague says, “I target the truth of people and the significance of faults, the normality of contradiction in characters and the dynamics of everyday situations.”

The National Theatre say, “The National Theatre is thrilled that Isabel Hague’s first play If Not Now, When? is continuing to develop with CAPA College, and with support from Arts Council England. Isabel took part in the National Theatre’s New Views playwriting programme in 2018/19 and her play was selected as the winner from 350 entries across the UK. It was a joy to see her script brought to life on the Dorfman stage and we look forward to seeing its development with CAPA College.”

Pete Massey, Director, North, Arts Council England, says, “Congratulations to CAPA College on their National Lottery Project Grants funding for If Not Now, When?. It is great to be able to support young talented playwrights like Isabel Hague to develop their skills and hone their craft. It is fantastic that this funding not only enables Isabel get to share her awarding winning play with audiences across Yorkshire, but it also gives her fellow college students the opportunity to showcase their talents.”

Claire Nicholson, Principal of CAPA College says “CAPA College aim to become a flagship for arts education in the north and to address socio-economic barriers that results in many young people from the North of England being unable to access a high-quality, free arts education. We would like to thank the National Theatre and Arts Council England for their support and are incredibly proud of the maturity and sophistication of Isabel’s writing talents. We are thrilled that If Not Now, When? will be toured across Yorkshire, showcasing the CAPA College students immense talents.”

If Not Now, When? is set to tour across the Yorkshire region in May/June 2020 visiting Theatre Deli Sheffield on the 12^th May 2020, Theatre Royal Wakefield on the 29^th May 2020 and The Civic, Barnsley on the 19^th June 2020.

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. By 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help deliver this vision.

Follow CAPA College on social media to keep up to date with the tour: @capacollege 

CAPA College’s Drama Festival 2020 sees students shine over four performances 

The 24th February saw the start of the CAPA College Drama Festival 2020 showcasing the A Level drama performance exams. The event ran over four nights with a jam-packed programme of 16 plays being performed spectacularly by students! 

CAPA College is a DFE-Funded Frees School which provides students with intensive full–time practical training alongside the rigour of academic Arts study, with students gaining the equivalent to four A Levels. This combination of professional training and academia ensures that students develop the skills, training, experience, knowledge, understanding and qualifications to progress to higher education.  

The Drama Festival saw year two Drama and Musical Theatre pathways perform to audiences along with an external examiner, with students confidently tackling themes from family conflict to workplace dramas and bereavement. Each performance was done with the greatest levels of maturity and professionalism, displaying the students incredible acting skills.  

Katy Dartsch, Pathway Leader for Drama at CAPA College says, “We are so proud of all of the students who were involved in the exams. The fantastic collaboration between students from the Musical Theatre, Drama and Production Arts curriculum pathways resulted in some absolutely incredible performances. The progress that has been made since first year was just staggering. Well done everyone!” 

With the support and guidance from the first-class drama faculty at CAPA College, the students developed their acting into polished plays with performances ranging from poignant and moving to light-hearted and funny. Each play used props and lighting to create spell-binding performances – A huge thank you to the Production & Media pathway for setting each play so wonderfully! 

Thank you to everyone that came to support the Drama Festival 2020 and a huge well done to all the students involved for all your extremely hard work, it was definitely worth it. 

Keep up to date with CAPA College on our social media. Follow us: @capacollege 

CAPA College students showcase their stunning vocal abilities in the Redbrick Studio Sessions 

In January 2020, CAPA College launched a new video series named ‘Redbrick Studio Sessions’, highlighting the exceptional vocal talents of the students. The series consists of solo performances from CAPA College students whose beautiful vocals have received incredible feedback on social media with comments hailing the performances as ‘stunning’ and ‘amazing’! 

As a full-time Arts training and educational facility for students aged 16-19, the college is split in four pathways; Dance, Production Media, Drama and Musical Theatre. It is the Musical Theatre pathway primarily that provides rigorous and challenging vocal training from specialist teachers, allowing students to improve their solo performances, vocal techniques and acting through song whilst studying at CAPA College.  Beyond this, all four pathways that CAPA College offer are given the opportunity to improve their vocal abilities through the option of one-to-one lessons, developing the incredible vocal talents throughout the college! 

Redbrick Studio Sessions showcase the improvement and confidence gained by students with their singing throughout their time studying at CAPA College whilst allowing them to build their singing portfolio. Keep your eyes peeled as The Redbrick Studios will be soon releasing more video exclusives, exhibiting even more students’ incredible vocal talents and the variety of singing styles that they are capable of. 

Subscribe to the CAPA College YouTube channel to view the Redbrick Studio Sessions:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_jQYwUT-pW_guu9do3Kzxg 

Don’t forget to follow CAPA College on social media to enjoy future Redbrick Studio Sessions: @capacollege 

CAPA College hosts its inaugural Charity Week and helps to raise over £7,000 for worthwhile causes 

In the lead up to Christmas, CAPA College students and staff decided to give back to the community in the college’s inaugural Charity Week. From donating to food banks to hosting a Christmas jumper day, CAPA College collected donations for a host of fantastic causes. 

Throughout December students participated in the Christmas tour, singing Christmas songs in a variety of venues from care homes, hospitals, train stations to galleries and private businesses. Students raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support while spreading festive cheer through their performances of festive carols and Christmas classics. While performing at Wakefield Westgate station and Wakefield Bus station they managed to raise an impressive £300.  

The tour also took students to Leeds Minster for the ‘Carols for Christmas Concert’ in aid of Leeds Cancer Support, Leeds Cares and Maggie’s Yorkshire Macmillan Cancer Support. This event raised a huge £6,479.43 and featured a variety of performances including CAPA College’s acapella choir. This inspired CAPA College Charity week, allowing staff and students to generate even more donations! 

The week began with two second year drama students holding a bake sale, fundraising for the Little Princess Charity, who supply real hair wigs to children with hair loss. Students planned and organised the sale themselves and sold delicious buns and cakes at CAPA College’s Thornes Campus. 

Later in the week, Christmas Jumper Day encouraged students and staff to wear their most impressive festive attire. Each person contributed at least £1 to Wakefield Healthwatch, a local cancer charity. Some students even attempted ballet in their holiday jumpers! The event helped to raise over £300 for an important charity.

Finally, staff and students came together to help those in need through organising a food bank donation. A huge amount of non-perishable goods, from tinned food and cereals to personal hygiene products were collected and donated to the Well Project food bank in Normanton, run as part of the Trussell Trust. Nearly 120kg of food and toiletries were delivered to the food bank, marking the end of CAPA College’s Charity Week. 

CAPA College understand the importance of giving back, especially in the season of goodwill. Overall, CAPA College contributed in raising a massive £7,386.86 over the course of Charity Week and hope that they will have helped those in need over the Christmas period. A huge thank you to all those that generously donated and helped make a difference!  

Collections 2019: CAPA College showcase the next generation of dance artists 

On the 27th & 28th of November CAPA College students stunned sell-out audiences with ‘Collections’, performed at CAPA College’s Unity Hall campus. The performance incorporated a full evening of dance work, with choreography that wowed and showcased the impressive talent of the students who will become the next generation of dance artists!  

The evening was jam-packed with incredible choreography, showcasing a wide variety of dance styles; highlighting the versatility that CAPA College students possess. From graceful precision to the wry and mischievous, Collections was a celebration of the outstanding, virtuosic skills of both the students and the creative talents of the CAPA College faculty.