College’s creative showcase at Keay Theatre

The Keay Theatre at Cornwall College St Austell is throwing open its doors for the first time following lockdown, with a bustling programme of student performances and exhibitions.  

Between the 24^th and 28^th of May, the Keay will host ‘culture and performance week’, a showcase of the final major projects from visual and performing arts students at the college’s ‘The Creative and Digital Academy’ (TCDA).  

Members of the public are being urged to support the Keay’s post-lockdown re-opening by getting tickets to the unique shows designed and performed entirely by students. 

“Everyone has worked tirelessly on their final major projects and I can’t wait to see them showcased together in one fantastic week of culture,” said Jess Leonard, curriculum area manager for TCDA. 

“In spite of a challenging year of covid restrictions, our learners have excelled and are now counting down the days till they can share their practise and engage people back into exploring what they love,” continued Jess. 

“I urge people from the community to get tickets and make an evening of it. From acting to music, art to gaming, photography to dance and not forgetting cinema, there really is something for everyone.” 

The week kicks off on Monday 24^th May with two plays presented by the college’s Launch Theatre & Performance Training. The curtain-raiser ‘Find a Partner!’ by Miriam Battye is being performed alongside aspiring actors from local secondary schools including Brannel, Poltair, Fowey and Wadebridge.  

The performance will be the culmination of an intensive after-school training programme, where strong performers from years 10 and 11 have been given the opportunity to train and perform as part of the TCDA’s own Launch acting company. The merged company have worked in collaboration to create their own take on Miriam Battye’s contemporary play, which will also be entered into the National Theatre’s Connections Project later this year. 

The second performance, performed solely by Cornwall College students, is an adaptation of the classical Greek tragedy Electra by Sophocles.  

The following evening on Tuesday 25^th May will focus on visual arts, where student artists and photographers have an exhibition promenade of their work running every 30 minutes.  

Other highlights from the week will include Altitude Dance students presenting an evening of contemporary, jazz, tap and commercial dance featuring special guests Collide and Studio 4, Frequency Music students performing an intimate evening of covers and original songs and an evening of cinema hosted by the College’s media and animation students.   

Tickets for TCDA Culture & Performance Week at Cornwall College St Austell can be purchased online at bit.ly/TCDACultureWeek