Success stories

Nick Blair - Professional Stage Actor
National Diploma in Performing Arts

Former student, Nick Blair, studied the Diploma in Performing Arts at the Rugby centre.  After completing a degree in Musical Theatre at the Arts Educational School in London, he got a part in ‘Accomplice London’ and has recently landed a role in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ‘Love Never Dies’.

Nick said: “I did my first ever performance aged 16, because Rugby dance school, which my sister attended, was short of boys for a production.  I absolutely loved it and was instantly hooked.  I had thought about being a chef but decided to change to performing arts and I joined the very first course that had been run in Rugby.

“After my degree finished, I got a part in a play and then auditioned for musicals.  When I got the part in ‘Love Never Dies’ I was absolutely ecstatic as if can get into the West End, you’ve really made it. It still doesn’t feel real – I can’t believe I am getting paid to do something I absolutely love.

“College was a really useful time for me.  We were trained in dance, drama and music and given lots of freedom to find our feet as performers and develop our own style.  It’s a really good way of finding out, in a safe environment, whether you’ve got what it takes. It’s a great stepping stone to a degree and then into a profession.”

Nick is currently touring the UK in a production of Scrooge, The Musical, after which he will be joining the touring company of 'Chicago' as ensemble and understudying the role of 'Amos'.

Sophie Pulley – Professional Actress
BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts

From a young age Sophie Pulley loved acting and took part in every school play going. Her mum was a member of Rugby Theatre, which stages a number of shows a year, and as she got older, Sophie joined the cast. Never having wanted to do anything else, it was always a ‘given’ that Sophie would pursue an acting career.

In the first year after leaving school, Sophie suffered some personal problems which left her unsure about getting back on stage. But, Sophie joined Warwickshire College to undertake the BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, a two year, full-time course.

Sophie is particularly grateful for the support she received, saying: “My tutor understood my situation and was absolutely brilliant with me. Little by little my confidence grew until I felt I could get back on the stage again and give it my all.”

Having successfully completed her course, Sophie joined The Bridge Theatre Training Company in London and achieved her two year Professional Acting Diploma. under her professional name, Sophie Anderson, she is now busy with commercials, TV and films for organisations such as the NHS, BBC, Sky Movies and Microsoft. Recently, she appeared in the BBC soap 'Doctors' and has performed in music videos for The Wombats and Cher Lloyd.

Sophie concluded: "The course at Warwickshire College was excellent, full of practical content that you can actually use on stage. I’ve never been interested in being famous or a celebrity. I just want to do what I love and that’s acting full time without needing a part-time job to support myself. The College course and the superb support I received gave me my acting career back, and it was a massive, massive gift I will always be grateful for.”