Bright Future Ahead of Acting Student

A former Newman student is one of only four students to be selected as part of a unique new collaboration between UCLan and an acting agency.

The BA (Hons) Acting Course at UCLan and Janet Hampson Personal Management (JHPM) have created a partnership which sees a number of final year students gain professional industry representation.

Ben Malkin, who studied A-Levels in Drama & Theatre Studies, Film Studies and English Literature at Newman, is now in his final year of BA (Hons) in Acting at UCLan and has been chosen alongside three classmates for this fantastic opportunity.

Ben said: “Janet’s experience and contacts in the industry will not only help expose me to new opportunities such as auditions, but also help further my personal approach as a budding actor.”

Originally students were to receive one year of representation, however due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the contracts have been extended from a year to 18 months. This is to allow time for the creative sector to recover from the enforced shutdown.

Janet, who has taken on the role of Industry Liaison Officer for all UCLan’s final year acting students, is already a UCLan Leader in Residence and her role will provide a unique link between University and the professional workplace.

She opened her agency in 2019 after working as a casting director on series including Citizen Khan, Coronation Street and Class Dismissed. For the past nine years she has combined freelancing with working as a visiting lecturer, advising on casting and giving industry talks to UCLan students.

Terence Chapman, Course Leader BA (Hons) Acting, added: “This gives our final year students a real insight into all aspects of the industry along with very practical advice and career guidance throughout their last year at UCLan.”