Performing Arts Alumni Visits

Before the Christmas break, we were delighted to welcome our performing arts alumni back to Ashton Sixth Form College, returning to inspire and support our current students through a series of engaging workshops.

Dance alumni Kristian Darby and Emma Wolstenholme led an energising contemporary dance session, while former Drama student Lois Broadbent delivered an interactive acting and performance workshop, highlighting the wide range of progression routes available within the performing arts.

Kristian, who is currently studying at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), and Emma, a third-year student at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance and Music, shared their experiences of conservatoire training and life beyond college. NSCD is a leading centre for contemporary dance in the UK, while Trinity Laban is internationally recognised for excellence in music and contemporary dance education.

Both spoke enthusiastically about their studies, which are challenging and highly rewarding, and about the opportunities to work across varied repertoires, collaborate with professional companies and explore multiple styles and techniques. Kristian also shared his experience of working with companies including ACE (African Cultural Exchange), Motionhouse and Hofesh Shechter.

The workshop included a Cunningham-based warm-up focusing on articulation, footwork, tilts and curves, before progressing into strength-based and floor-based techniques. Students responded enthusiastically, benefiting from the professionalism and insight both alumni brought to the session.

Alongside this, alumni Lois Broadbent, who has progressed to BA Acting at Rose Bruford College, led an interactive workshop where students worked in groups to devise and present a two-minute performance based on the prompt, “People meet on a railway platform in unexpected weather.” The session also provided a valuable opportunity for students to network, collaborate and meet fellow students from different courses within the performing arts department.

The workshop encouraged collaboration, imagination and confidence, giving students the opportunity to explore character, storytelling and performance under time constraints, while also gaining valuable insight into actor training at a specialist drama school.

These alumni visits provided an inspiring opportunity for students to learn directly from former Ashton pupils who are now thriving in higher education and professional training. They highlighted the exciting progression routes available through hard work and studying at Ashton, and reinforced the strong creative foundations students build during their time at Ashton Sixth Form College.