Make Up for Stage & Screen students from Stratford-upon-Avon College went from being the student to being the teacher recently as they led a make up masterclass at a local youth club.
Students Leah Bickerdike and Emily Cosgrove planned and delivered a practical Make Up session for young people at the local youth club in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre based in the old H&M building in Bell Court, now called the Stratford Youth and Community Studio.
The youth club operates every Thursday from 3.30pm and is open to young people from 12-18. It is a space where they can hang out and take part in activities and is proving very popular after starting last year.
This is the first Make Up Masterclass that has been offered at the youth club and was organised between Youth Work Co-ordinator for Escape Arts Sarah Cowley-Catchpole and the College.
Sarah commented: “When I met with the College, we discussed courses where students needed more practical experience and the chance to work with new people. Also, it raises our young people’s aspirations. It gives the young people who come here a chance to see what is on offer at their local college as well as offering a fun activity. And advertising that this masterclass was on has actually brought in more new young people!”
The students had planned for two different exercises. Emily was going to present a workshop on bruising whilst Leah was going to show students how to be creative with flowery face painting.
Leah was really excited to be involved: “It is a great bit of work experience. I am taking as much as I can get as we missed so much during Covid. It is great there are lots of opportunities to take part in these projects.” Emily added: “We have had a number of fantastic masterclasses with professionals at the college, so it is exciting to be on the other side. It is also really interesting to work with this age range. We have picked things like special effects that we know they will enjoy.”
The students took part in the masterclass with zeal, trying out the techniques on themselves and others. One youth club member detailed how much they enjoyed it all: “It is so much fun! The bruises look really realistic, and I am enjoying it all!”
The youth club members created flowers and bruises on hands, arms and faces
Make Up for Stage & Screen lecturer, Charlotte Hollingworth, commented: “It has been a great experience for all involved! It is wonderful it is so local. We will definitely be coming back and working with Escape Arts at the Youth club again.”
