By Michael Kane
An NWRC performing arts student has been awarded a £1000 theatre bursary by The Playhouse. Faye Deering was presented with the award at the final showing of Chicago the Musical, which completed a sold-out run this month.
Faye said: “It was such a lovely coincidence having my family right there when It was announced I was the winner. Chloe Harkin, the stage manager, actually sent me the video of it happening. It felt so much slower at the time. It felt like I was hugging my mum for ages.
“I was very much surprised. It still doesn’t feel real. I’m going to spend the money on probably more auditions, singing lessons, master classes, that kind of thing.”
Faye, who is currently studying her second year of a HND in performing arts, played the role of a Merry Murderess in the breath-taking production of the Broadway hit.
“People would have expected a person who got a principal role to get it, but I was more in a minor role. So anyone applying for it in future, you don’t have to be the main part to be in the running.
“Essentially it’s just a case of always being present at rehearsals and willing to just have fun with it and just give it your all.”
The Aloysius Fund for Theatre was made available by Joe Quinlan, Mary Lou, and The Ireland Funds. It was open to candidates aged 16-50 who needed support to follow their performing dreams.
In the run up to Christmas, Faye is working on a few shows for the NWRC with the other HND and HNC students. They will be presented in the Foyle Theatre across the December period and are open to the public. For more information, visit the NWRC events page. http://www.nwrc.ac.uk/news-events/
