Stage’ at the PLASA London show, October 2015. Our talk was in response to a view held widely in the live event industry that degree level programs do not adequately prepare students for the industry. We outlined the approaches to real-world learning that we have applied over the years in the Sound, Light and Live Event Technology degree and the Technical Theatre Degree and described the Learning Theatre. We presented a number of case studies of high profile graduate destinations.

This is a case study of the Learning Theatre, identifying some of the challenges and successes of its collaborative HE projects.The presentation was part of a conference investigating partnerships between HEIs and Professional Theatres. It gives an overview of some of the learning initiatives that the theatre operates and the concept of the Learning Theatre and then focusses on a case study of the ‘Company Aside’ initiative within this context. The research is focussed on student experience throughout the process and identifies key considerations for the development of the scheme and the partnership.

Acting Alone is an artistic research project that has resulted in creating a solo performance funded by Arts Council England and University of Derby. This performance piece builds on five years of practice as research and unique enquiry using Applied Theatre techniques based on Hunt’s experiences in Palestine. The focus of this research will be to extend and develop the interaction between performer and audience extending the boundaries of performance as a political act of protest. Acting Alone invites the audience to interact: to cross the dramaturgical divide that explores political action and provokes questions around what is our responsibility to conflict as an international community? The structure places the audience in a powerful participatory position without confronting or exposing them. Acting Alone has performed at five showcase venues throughout the East Midlands receiving positive responses from audiences and also some controversial protestations. For some audiences, the piece was verging on being anti-Semitic. Heckling as well as heated challenges was experienced. However, Acting Alone presents a wide range of characters – Israeli, Palestinian and European all of whom offer powerful counter narratives. There is a rich musical soundtrack only—this is theatre stripped back, to draw the audience into a world that has to be created in its entirety in front of their eyes. The play is a personal story, at times heart-breaking and at times funny, that asks questions of theatre makers and audiences –what risks should we take? Can one person make a difference?