Young performers secure first paid gig

Three performing arts students will be entertaining visitors to a glamp-site’s Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Trail after securing their first paid industry roles.

Jordan, Megan and Logan

Three performing arts students will be entertaining visitors to a glamp-site’s Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Trail after securing their first paid industry roles.

Jordan Cooke, Megan-Anne Kirsopp and Logan Priestley will be working as festive characters next month at Eden Grange in Shildon, helping to create a magical experience for visitors.

The trio are all studying for their HND in Performing Arts at Bishop Auckland College and won the work after being invited to audition for the venue’s Christmas season events.

Jordan, 20, from Newton Aycliffe, described the commission as a ‘dream role’. He said: “It’s amazing that I have the opportunity to explore what it is like working for a company to gain new experiences and skills that will help me grow as a performer in the industry.”

Megan-Anne Kirsopp, 20, from Bishop Auckland, added: “When I found out I got the job at Eden Grange I was so happy as not only will this be my first ever paid performing work, but this will also go on my CV. It could be the start of my career as this job could open doors to so many other opportunities for me.”

While Logan Priestley, 21, from Spennymoor, who hopes to become a qualified performing arts teacher, said he hoped to be able to network and make some valuable contacts while gaining performing experience.

Performing Arts Tutor Rachael Stewart said she was ‘incredibly proud’ of her students: “I am delighted to have been able to arrange this opportunity for them, along with Joanne Hackett from Eden Grange at Shildon. Not only will they gain invaluable experience of performing, which will be an excellent addition to their expanding CV, they will be able to experience a true reflection of the hard work, discipline and stamina needed for working within the performing arts industry.”

• As well as performing at Eden Grange during the weekends throughout December, all three will also be on stage with other performing arts students for the college’s annual production ‘Alice! Our Peculiar Pantomime’ on December 11 and 13 at 6.30pm. To book tickets costing £5 (£3 for children aged three to 15), contact rachael.stewart@bacoll.ac.uk.