We are incredibly excited to introduce you to our newly launched Elevate programme! Please see below for the headshots and CVs of our Elevate Actors.

What is Elevate?

We are aware that as students from low-income backgrounds start out in the industry, they may not have the financial safety net that other graduates may benefit from. This means that they may feel unable to take as many risks or explore their creativity as freely. We, therefore, feel it is crucial to make sure graduates from low-income backgrounds are equipped, informed and ready for the realities of the industry.

Open Door actors who are in their third year and started drama school via our Access Programme already enjoy a Graduating Group Programme which helps to prepare them in this way. In 2020, we opened up this opportunity to seven third year students from low-income backgrounds who did not complete our Access Programme.

Nomination Criteria:

• Be a final year student on the BA Acting course at a drama school which is part of the Federation of Drama Schools

• Come from a household with a combined family income of £30,000 per year or under

• Be nominated by their drama school and audition and interview with the Open Door industry panel

Who are the Elevate Actors?

Open Door gave each drama school in the Federation of Drama Schools the opportunity to make two nominations for the programme. Nominees were required to be in third year on a B.A Acting course and to be from a low-income family background. The Elevate Actors were nominated by some of the UK’s leading drama schools such as Guildhall, Manchester Met, Mountview, RADA, Drama Centre and Royal Welsh. 

The programme provides participants with:

• Free theatre tickets throughout the programme

• Professional preparation workshops

• Mentoring by Open Door Artistic Director David Mumeni

• An assigned industry ‘buddy’

• Access to mental health support where required

• Pastoral support and mentoring from the Open Door team

Shortlisted nominees attended a short interview and submitted self-tapes which were reviewed by an industry-leading panel. The panel was made up of: Casting Directors Shaheen Baig and Amy Ball, actor and writer Ronke Adekoluejo, Artistic Director of the Nottingham Playhouse Adam Penford, Curtis Brown Talent Agent Lara Beach, Open Door Executive Producer Ruth Milne & Open Door Artistic Director David Mumeni.

“Elevate was an essential bridge from drama school to industry. The mentoring taught me how to communicate more effectively with peers and industry professionals and how to make the most of the opportunities that came during my graduating year whilst also preparing me for the future.” - Elevate Group Participant 2020/21