PRESS RELEASE - WAC leads the way in non-western art forms

Crucial fundraising drive underway for newly accredited Musical Theatre course at WAC

WAC Performing Arts and Media College has been acknowledged as providing the highest quality performing arts training with equal status for non-western art forms. Following a two day assessment last month, Trinity College made the recommendation to validate the Level 6 (degree equivalent) National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre at WAC. Second year student Maya Thompson said, “It doesn’t change the training, which has always been fantastic, but it hopefully means the course can continue for future students ... and I will get a degree too - that recognition means a lot to me.”

Achieving these exacting standards puts WAC and Black and Minority Ethnic art forms on a par with traditional conservatoires. However this does not guarantee the future of the course or its current students. To develop the course to this level, WAC has already raised over £1/2 million.

With validation, WAC will be fighting hard to access Dance and Drama awards, but these are offered on a three year funding cycle so won’t be available until September 2009. If the course is to continue we need to raise £150k for the next academic year with very little time available. WAC Director Celia Greenwood said, “Staff and students here have been striving for five years to reach this achievement and it would be a tragedy if we had to close just as we achieve recognition.”

A fundraising campaign is underway but without £50k in place by the end of September accreditation will have been for nothing. Current 1st and 2nd year students will be unable to complete a professional training. Greenwood added “Small amounts of money will make a big difference to us.  For example £120 will pay for a masterclass and £5,000 will put a student through the programme for a year. We have been delighted with the response so far with two local residents sponsoring students for next year.”

Recent graduates have quickly obtained professional work. They are performing in ‘The Frontline’ next week at the Globe Theatre, at the Royal Court Theatre, the Theatre Royal Stratford East, and with Impact Dance and Boy Blue. One has the lead role in a British feature film and two have recording deals.

If the campaign is successful, the WAC Conservatoire for Contemporary and Non-Western Musical Theatre will open in October and begin the next phase of training diverse artists for the future. Please see our website to donate: www.wac.co.uk

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

WAC Performing Arts and Media College
Hampstead Town Hall Centre
213 Haverstock Hill
London NW3 4QP

Contact Details - for more information, please contact:

Celia Greenwood
WAC Director
Tel: 020 7692 5870
07 752 959 772
celia@wac.co.uk

Steve Medlin
Senior WAC Coordinator
Tel: 020 7692 5872
steve@wac.co.uk

www.wac.co.uk