For immediate release
Featuring The Addams Family musical, New College Durham inspires next generation of performers through immersive theatre outreach project.
New College Durham (NCD) has been praised by schools across County Durham after delivering an ambitious theatre outreach project designed to inspire the next generation of performers and creative professionals.
Pupils from Belmont, Framwellgate, Greenfield, Woodham and Elmore schools joined the college’s Performing Arts department for an immersive experience that combined live theatre, practical workshops, and behind-the-scenes insight into life in the performing arts industry.
The event displayed not only the talent of the cast and crew, but also the leadership, professionalism, and creativity of New College Durham’s Year 1 Performing Arts student and FdA Performance Practice Level 5 students, who helped organise and facilitate the activities throughout the week.
Feedback from the visiting schools highlighted both the quality of the production and the impact of the workshops on student confidence and engagement.
Staff from Belmont praised the “strong ensemble” performance and commended the cast and crew for delivering an entertaining and polished production that captivated younger audiences throughout.
One school described the production as “amazing,” praising the performances of Gomez, Wednesday, Fester, and Morticia, while highlighting the strength of the ensemble and the show’s comedy and stagecraft. Another school spoke of how inspiring it was to see their students fully engaged, including those who would not normally feel confident singing or dancing.
Gemma Whelam, lecturer in Performing Arts at New College Durham said:
“It was a wonderful week working with students from numerous schools across Durham. Our college students were excellent ambassadors and role models for the department. Not only did they deliver fantastic performances, but they also supported the staff and were integral in making the experience unique for everyone who attended.”
Current Performing Arts students Daisy Barber and Dillian Sample, who helped organise and facilitate the workshops, said the experience demonstrated the power of theatre to inspire and connect young people.
“It was great to share our show with so many young people across the county. We are so pleased that everyone who visited us enjoyed the workshops. as it was an opportunity that some young people have never had before. As members of the cast, we are proud to have introduced younger audiences into our world. We hope our performance has influenced people to venture into theatre themselves.”
The outreach programme reflects the growing importance of experiential arts education in developing confidence, communication skills, and industry awareness among young performers.
With increasing national attention on access to creative education and regional talent development, NCD continues to strengthen its reputation for combining high-quality performance training with meaningful community engagement opportunities.