Sarah Evans

“I started acting when I was really, really young,” says Theatre and Performance student Sarah Evans, 20. “So a career in theatre is what I’ve always wanted.”

From the age of 12, she attended the Elliott Clarke drama school in her home town, Liverpool, and went on to study drama at both GCSE and A level.

Sarah began studying on the BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance degree at Glyndwr University in 2006.

“Studying for a theatre degree has taken acting on a different level for me. It’s such a rewarding thing to do. I don’t think a lot of people realise how much hard work goes into producing live theatre. Its such hard work, but it is fun – and when you put so much effort into bringing a production together you can really look back with pride and a great deal of satisfaction at the end.”

Theatre in the community and theatre in education is one of the biggest parts of the course – and one of the best, according to Sarah. One of the productions that Sarah’s been involved with is As If, a play about social issues affecting teenagers.

Students devised, wrote and directed the play, performing it to schoolchildren across the North Wales region.

“The whole project lasted for about four or five months. When we perform in schools we hold different workshops with pupils or hold feedback sessions.

“It’s brilliant way to learn. Performing in schools is raw theatre. Kids don’t lie and if they don’t like what you’ve performed they will tell you. As a student that gives you the chance to reflect on what you’re doing. You really see yourself develop over the three years on the course and that’s hugely rewarding.

After gaining some experience in theatre as an actor once she graduates, Sarah hopes to go on to further study and eventually teaching.

“I’d like to focus on the academic side of theatre eventually, looking at how drama can give children valuable skills. I’m a strong believer that performance and drama – and using education along with theatre – can help children’s development.”