LSBU celebrates ten years of Drama and Performance
From a cohort of six students in 2005, Drama and Performance at LSBU has now grown into a hugely successful course, guided by professional artistsLondon South Bank University (LSBU) recently marked the ten year anniversary of its BA (Hons) Drama and Performance course with a special reunion for staff and students in the Edric Theatre – LSBU's dedicated theatre space.
Gill Foster, Drama and Performance Course Director, welcomed back former staff and drama alumni from across the years, and recounted the programme's growth from modest beginnings to this year's Final Degree Show, which presented innovative performances of over 40 students in contemporary theatrical surroundings. Alumni also shared their experiences since graduating, with a video montage of their performances as students providing a nostalgic backdrop to the celebration.
Professor Janet Jones, Dean of LSBU's School of Arts and Creative Industries, paid tribute to the range of careers secured by the graduates: "Thanks to LSBU's inventive approach to performance culture, our alumni now include performers, actors, artists and even a dentist. It proves that graduate destinations for drama students are gloriously diverse."
The dentist in question, Laura Gamble, spoke to the LSBU Alumni Association about her curious pathway since graduating in 2009: "It's wonderful to be back at LSBU to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its Drama programme. I'm still involved in theatrical performance, and in my professional life I use many of the skills I learned on the course, particularly when dealing with a range of patients."
Robyn Bunyan graduated in 2010 and is now Education Officer at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts. She was grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with her classmates and academic tutors: "It was so nice to see what all the alumni have been up to. I love my job engaging young people to get involved in the arts and the Drama teaching staff at LSBU really pushed me in the right direction."
Following the event, Drama and Performance alumni have offered to use their professional experience by mentoring LSBU's current drama students, to inspire them towards success and enhance their insight into the creative industry through work and employment opportunities.
Find out more about studying BA (Hons) Drama and Performance at LSBU.