We had a fantastic evening recently attending a virtual Arts Award ceremony organised by Newton Abbot College. Normally, Newton Abbot College (NAC) run their hugely impressive Arts Award Evenings at the prestigious Riviera Centre in Torquay.
These evenings showcase the breadth and depth of young people's achievements in the arts at NAC throughout the year. Staff at the college realised early on that a live ceremony would be impossible and began planning their virtual Awards Evening. Using footage from video performances taken throughout the year, and video programme linkage provided by the teaching staff recorded in their own homes, the evening presented the very best of NAC’s arts work throughout the year.
Two of the students who received NAC awards during the evening were Izzy Warren and Caitlin Johnson for their multiple contributions to the performing arts - drama, music and dance. The two are also former winners of The Helen Foundation Award in their different schools - and Caitlin twice! Both young women are also involved as alumni in Powderham Live! and it’s great to see their talents widely recognised. Here are Izzy and Caitlin pictured with THF trustee Annie Kirk at a where they performed at a private event.Trustees normally present The Helen Foundation Award, and this year we recorded our part of the ceremony in our home, uploaded for the virtual show.
The winner this year was Patrick Stone, whose citation reads: “Patrick has made an absolutely outstanding contribution to Drama at Newton Abbot College on all levels. His drive, passion and enthusiasm for the subject is infectious and he has been involved in countless productions from our social drama on homelessness, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Dyron’s Boys commemorating the centenary of World War 1, monologue extravaganzas, our wonderful annual college production and many many more.Patrick eats, sleeps and breathes acting, he has taken up every creative opportunity on offer to him both in and out of college, and his most recent success was his audition for the National Theatre’s young company where he was accepted immediately. This is a testimony to his gift but also to the bright future he has ahead of him! Everybody who knows Patrick knows that he will flourish in this profession because it is his love! Patrick wholeheartedly deserves the recognition represented by the very prestigious Helen Foundation Award.
This is such an impressive citation, Patrick! Congratulations galore and we look forward very much to following your continued progress in acting.