New College Durham has received widespread praise from educational institutions across County Durham following the successful delivery of an ambitious theatre outreach project. Utilizing a production of The Addams Family musical, the initiative was specifically designed to inspire and cultivate the next generation of performers and creative professionals within the regional arts sector.
Pupils from several local schools, including Belmont, Framwellgate, Greenfield, Woodham, and Elmore, joined the college’s Performing Arts department for a fully immersive educational experience. The programming successfully combined high-quality live theatre with practical workshops and behind-the-scenes insights into the professional performing arts industry. The event showcased the talent, leadership, and professionalism of the college's Year 1 Performing Arts students alongside Level 5 Performance Practice students, who actively organized and facilitated the activities throughout the week.
Feedback from the visiting schools strongly highlighted the high quality of the stage production and the immediate impact of the workshops on student confidence and creative engagement. Staff from Belmont commended the polished, entertaining production and noted the strength of the ensemble cast. Representatives from other participating schools described the performances of iconic characters like Gomez, Wednesday, Fester, and Morticia as amazing, emphasizing how inspiring it was to see younger students fully participate in singing and dancing, even those who normally lack the confidence to do so.
Performing Arts lecturer Gemma Whelam noted that the college students served as excellent ambassadors and role models for the department, performing an integral role in making the experience unique for the visiting pupils. Current students Daisy Barber and Dillian Sample, who helped facilitate the event, added that the project demonstrated the true power of theatre to connect young people, providing an artistic opportunity that many regional youth had never experienced before.
This outreach programme directly reflects the growing importance of experiential arts education in developing communication skills and industry awareness. As national attention increasingly focuses on creative education access, New College Durham continues to strengthen its reputation for combining high-quality performance training with meaningful community engagement.
