West End star puts students in the spotlight

[Hannah Beal]

 

 

When you only get one shot to impress, a polished performance and nerves of steel are key ingredients for a successful audition.  With this in mind, Musical Theatre students at Coleg Gwent were thrilled when West End Star Caroline Sheen shared some of her show business experience with the budding performers.

 

Caroline Sheen, star of Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, spent an afternoon with students at Crosskeys Campus giving advice and tips for auditions, working on singing and acting skills such as expression and voice projection.

 

Caroline, who is currently promoting her new CD and preparing for a musical showcase in London next month following an American tour of Mary Poppins, was impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of the students, she said: “I’m happy to be here, and offer students the benefit of my experience.  It’s really exciting to teach and inspire the younger generation.”

 

First year musical theatre student Bronwen King, 16 from Llanhilleth recently attended a gala concert in Newport featuring the star.  She said: “It was fantastic seeing Caroline performing then getting to meet her in our session!  The advice she’s given us has been really helpful and will give us much more confidence going into auditions in future.”

 

Musical Theatre Lecturer Cheryl Harper said: “We’re very grateful to Caroline for visiting our students. They always learn a good deal from her sessions and are inspired to meet someone who has grown up locally and gone on to be so successful in the industry.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

1. Crosskeys is one of five campuses at Coleg Gwent. Coleg Gwent is Wales’ largest further education college with more than 35,000 students.  For more information on learning opportunities at Coleg Gwent, please telephone [phone], email [e-mail], text the word GWENT to 88020 or log on to www.coleggwent.ac.uk
2. Press contact: Hannah Beal, Communications Assistant, 01495 333543.