Southwark College welcomed professional actor Paul Rider to co-host an audition panel for Level 3 Performing Arts students. The group of learners are studying the employability unit of their course to prepare for applications to drama schools, real-world auditions and interviews.

To support the students in this process, the Drama department carried out the auditions which saw the students perform a short piece, dialogue and sing a song of their choice.  

The actor, who has 40 years' experience across various channels within the performing arts industry, including starring in the West End show, Chicago, co-hosted the auditions alongside teacher Michael Palmer.  

Paul commented: "One of the reasons I am here today is to give students a sense of the professional conditions that they will experience in the future. I am auditioning the students under the same conditions I would audition in, to give them the most realistic experience of what a real audition is like in the performing arts space." 

The students benefitted from valuable feedback and advice from the experienced actor. He said: "You can never be too prepared. Always be one hundred per cent ready and show respect to everyone you come across. This is so important in becoming a successful performer". 

Performing Arts student, D'Andrey Ramsay said: "It's been amazing to be interviewed by Paul. To be in the same room with someone who has that level of drive and passion is really inspiring, and his feedback is highly beneficial to my development as an artist." 

Southwark College prides itself on delivering high quality and engaging Creative Arts courses. Our courses are designed to equip students with the diverse skill set needed to thrive in the creative world. 

Find out more at southwark.ac.uk/creativearts