BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen student Faye Atkinson, 20 years old, is the winner of this year’s Arc Solo Show Award! The prestigious prize open exclusively to our final year acting students sees them perform original solo performances to an industry panel to be considered for the prize. Winners are awarded a residency at the theatre with support to develop their work further.

Senior Lecturer Jonny Bussell explains “all our third-year students work towards creating a ten minute solo show on any subject and in any style, which they present to an industry panel at ARC. The ARC award has been running for six years now with the winning student receiving support from ARC to develop the piece further. Previous winners have gone on to successfully apply for Arts Council funding and develop their piece fully. It is a great opportunity for our students to create work that matters to them and potentially go on to tour the work they have made on the programme.  It is part of the continued support from ARC as our education partner.”

Faye’s comedy piece Back in My Day is “based around trying to explain to older generations how certain issues can still be improved but approaching this topic in a comedic way. The play tackles themes of homophobia, specifically within the younger generation where it is still so relevant in places such as schools. The piece takes inspiration from various stand-up comedy sketches.”

Speaking of the performance and winning the award she said “I thoroughly enjoyed performing the show at ARC, the audience was so supportive, and it was really nice to perform alongside my peers in pieces we created ourselves and worked so hard on. I was shocked but very excited when I won. I love performing this piece so it’s really nice that I get to work on it more and expand it now. The themes of the show are really important to me, so it felt extremely rewarding to win with this piece.”

ARC Producer Aisha Lama said that Faye’s work was “a really refreshing performance. Engaging, well-timed, and confidently delivered. The piece offered a fresh perspective on modern microaggressions and internalised homophobia, which felt timely and important. For development it would be interesting to explore what the ‘Back in My Day’ attitude really means for the character and what that relationship is. If not undertaken already, it might be interesting to research other perspectives to give a wider landscape for the opinions expressed in the piece to sit within.”

“Faye’s show was really strong and not just the writing, but the style of performance was really excellent” commented Jonny “Faye has developed hugely during their time on the programme and I am excited to see how ‘Back in my day’ progresses.”

“I feel like there is a lot more to say with the character that I created in the show and the topic at hand.” commented Faye “I think some of the issues discussed in the solo show are still so relevant, so I think relating to that more and creating a safe space for anyone who might relate to the show is the goal.”

Faye attributes her growth in confidence to studying on the degree programme reflecting “I really enjoy the course here. My lecturers and peers are so supportive, and the course’s focus on collaboration has been extremely important in building my confidence as a performer.”

When asked what her advice would be for future students she said “to throw yourself into anything the course offers you. We are given so many opportunities here and I think when you’re first coming in and you’re nervous this approach helps to put you at ease.”

Keep up to date with Faye’s work on her Instagram: @fayeaatkinson

Our acting degree has been designed by working industry professionals to ensure students develop the skills required when performing for stage and screen, providing students with a drama school style experience outside of London. Students on this intensive acting course will receive 30 hours contact time a week to develop core skills in voice, characterisation and physicality. Find out more here.