The BRIT school

The BRIT School is the UK’s first and leading free performing and creative arts school for 1,400 young people aged 14 to 19. The School – an exempt charity based in Croydon – invests in the future of the UK’s cultural wealth by nurturing young artistic talent from all backgrounds and teaching the skills needed by the rapidly growing creative industries. We believe that young people of all backgrounds should be able to develop their creative talent and craft and make a powerful contribution to society. BRIT stands for the British Record Industry Trust.

In June of this year, students studying on our Applied Theatre course visited Mountbatten Hospice and worked alongside some of the patients to devise a performance piece inspired by their stories and experiences. Using the power of human connection and conversation everyone involved contributed to the development of a compassionate, creative and deeply moving performance.

The students of the BRIT School will perform ‘Walking on Sunshine’ on Thursday 20th October, supported by Emma Banton, Director of Applied Theatre & Community and Ray Oudkerk, Vice Principal Performing Arts.  

An introduction to the students and presentation on the history and work of the BRIT school and impact within communities with be given by Stuart Worden, Principal, BRIT School.

 

Stuart started his career as a theatre producer and has worked extensively for the National Theatre, Royal Exchange Manchester, Playwrights' Co-operative and Working Title Films. In 1991 Stuart formed The Steam Industry which produced theatre at the Man in the Moon, The Finborough and went on to produce free theatre at the Scoop on the South Bank. Stuart made a transition into education and began working at The BRIT School in 1994 where he founded the Musical Theatre Course and was Director of Theatre. Stuart became Principal in 2012. Stuart has established deep partnerships with local schools and organisations working with marginalised communities. His interest in palliative care has led him to create a project which originally ran at St Christopher’s Hospice and is now being mapped out around the world. Stuart sees The BRIT School as a unique and inclusive home for original voices and talent and a platform for young people to train for free and progress into a plethora of roles in the creative industries. Stuart believes that education should be rooted in kindness and that schools should encourage an adventurous mind-set in the students and staff. He has spoken at National conferences on this subject from Edinburgh Film and TV Festival and at the BFI to the Football Association at St. George’s Park, The Royal Court Theatre and The Music Industry Trust Awards.

Stuart has been Principal for 10 years and the school is celebrating 30 years of this world-renowned institution.

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