Students keep Shakespeare on the move

8th July 2016

Barking & Dagenham College Technical Theatre students have secured real work experience as the crew helping to stage the Studio 3 Arts promenade production of The Merchant of Venice from Monday 4 July to Sunday 10 July.

The actors take the story to different locations around Barking, including Barking & Dagenham College’s Technical Skills Academy. The audience follows the performance, with the crew staying one step ahead ready for the actors to join them at the next venue.

Local people have been invited to be involved in the production as extras, including members of the local local knitting group.

The four-person techical crew includes: Steven Carter, 20, from Barking; Tommy Haynes (17) from Upney; Jennifer Sharrer (18) from Tillbury and Jessica Sussex (18) from Barking.

Tommy, for whom this has been his first professional job, said,

“It can be stressful getting everything ready in such a limited time, but it’s been fun and a great experience.

“I’ve got one more year on my course and then I’ll be heading to university or looking for an apprenticeship.”

The more experienced, Steven, who is now studying for a BA (Hons) in Creative Lighting and Control, has taken the role of crew leader.

Rosie Ross, Head of Projects at Studio 3 Arts, added

“We are thrilled to be able to support young people from the area to have such an integral role in a major artistic production, taking place through the public and civic spaces of Barking Town Centre.

"They are doing an outstanding job and are a credit to the team in making this all come together.”