A sixth form student explains how important studying theatre has been in developing her creative potential, and makes the case for all arts subjects to remain integral to schools.
I am lucky to attend a school - Bedales - which prides itself on a wonderful theatre and thriving drama department. As a student of theatre I believe that it’s fundamental to any school’s livelihood that they invest in their drama department, and I hope to pursue a career in the arts. But with the rate that arts funding is being cut, there may not be a field left for me to enter.
I would implore the newly appointed culture secretary, John Wittingdale (former chair of the DCMS – which plans to cut arts funding by 5 per cent and the British Film Institute by 10 per cent in 2015-16), to consider how many artists depend on funding, and realise that this where, for many, the heart of our country lies.
I can’t fathom a world without theatre in schools but it is looking quite possible now. That is a terrible tragedy – not only will teachers lose their income and their students, but the new generation of creators will be wiped out. Not every actor is brave enough to audition for a play and I doubt many directors knew that was to be their vocation at a young age. I may never have discovered a passion for theatre without having it embedded in the curriculum... Keep reading on The Independent
I am lucky to attend a school - Bedales - which prides itself on a wonderful theatre and thriving drama department. As a student of theatre I believe that it’s fundamental to any school’s livelihood that they invest in their drama department, and I hope to pursue a career in the arts. But with the rate that arts funding is being cut, there may not be a field left for me to enter.
I would implore the newly appointed culture secretary, John Wittingdale (former chair of the DCMS – which plans to cut arts funding by 5 per cent and the British Film Institute by 10 per cent in 2015-16), to consider how many artists depend on funding, and realise that this where, for many, the heart of our country lies.
I can’t fathom a world without theatre in schools but it is looking quite possible now. That is a terrible tragedy – not only will teachers lose their income and their students, but the new generation of creators will be wiped out. Not every actor is brave enough to audition for a play and I doubt many directors knew that was to be their vocation at a young age. I may never have discovered a passion for theatre without having it embedded in the curriculum... Keep reading on The Independent