The Wessex Academy of Performing Arts (WAPA) at the College has welcomed two visiting lecturers from one of the entertainment capitals of the world, Las Vegas.

Michael Lugering, Professor of Acting, and Louis Kavouras, Professor of Dance, both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), spent two days running specialist master classes for students on Foundation Degrees in Performing Arts and Musical Theatre, run in partnership with Bath Spa University, as part of a recently launched collaborative performance project between WAPA and UNLV.

The project involves a number of staff exchanges, along with the sharing of workshops via platforms including Skype, Facetime and YouTube. This will culminate in a unique joint performance in two different time zones via Skype in April 2015 which will be televised across the USA.

The partnership between the two institutions will also potentially provide students with the opportunity to study in Las Vegas, and students from UNLV will be joining WAPA students to perform at Move It! 2015, a large national dance event in London.

Beau Coleman, 22, is studying the BA (Hons) in Performing Arts. She said: “The workshops have been really interesting. My favourite part was breaking down the aspects of a movement and learning how emotions influence movements. I think this partnership is going to be fantastic for the future students, and everyone is really excited about it already.”

Michael Lugering said: “We’ve loved working with the fantastic staff and students in the wonderful spaces they have available to them here at Weston College. It was very important for us to come and have a face-to-face interaction with them in a real space. Our challenge going forward will be to maintain the connection we have built once we return to the States. I am hopeful though that the power of performance will transcend the physical distance.”

The workshops run by Michael and Louis form part of a suite of workshops organised by WAPA and run by visiting professionals, including:

• Tim Richards who teaches the MA in Musical Theatre at Royal Welsh College in Cardiff
• Dr Ed Blake, a leading physiotherapist from Harley Street, who came to talk about the physiology of the voice and specific medical disorders relating to the vocal organs
• Joe Miller, Resident Director for Spirit Productions, who came to teach choreographies for the shows WAPA take on tour

WAPA maintains many close links with employers and professionals, and students will continue to benefit from the embedding of such workshops within the degree courses run at Weston College.