When he’s not training, the October half term break can be a relaxing time for Sam Longley, who is currently a student at Wyke Sixth Form College.
But shortly before this half term break, Sam received notification that he was one of twelve young men aged 16-20 from across the UK to have been selected for Frantic Assembly theatre company’s Ignition Project.
Sam, 17, studies P.E., Applied Science and Psychology at the College, and is also a member of Wyke’s Football 3rd team, playing a pivotal role in the College’s 2013 League-winning title. So he was perhaps an unusual choice for a company auditioning over 200 young actors.
Sam, who has no previous acting experience, attended a taster and trial conducted by Frantic Assembly on site at the College. Inga Hirst, Learn & Train Manager at Frantic Assembly said, “The standard was incredibly high and we had some really difficult choices to make”.
The week-long accredited residency in London involved working with a professional theatre company and performing at Stratford Circus Theatre in London.
The week concluded with a session filming at the National Theatre for a film about Frantic Assembly’s work.
Sam said: “I was pushed really hard, but it has taught me a lot about acting and I had particularly been looking forward to the opportunity to work with the company’s Artistic Director, Scott Graham.”
Chris Gruca, Head of Performing Arts at the College, said “This is a fantastic accomplishment and a real opportunity for Sam. He has had the honour of representing Wyke on the National stage.”
