Kate Burton and Matthew Rhys were among the audience welcoming the Royal Welsh College back to New York as it presented its showcase, staged at an Off-Broadway theatre, after a two year break due to Covid.
‘This New York Showcase is a special moment for us at Royal Welsh College, and it’s been planned and replanned for three years,’ said Jonathan Munby, Director of Drama Performance. ‘In this emotional week, as the world pays respect to our late Monarch, it feels especially important to be able to be here in person, sharing live performance and the humanity of the arts.’
Recent American and Canadian acting and musical theatre graduates performed in front of Emmy and Tony award nominee Kate Burton, and Emmy award winner Matthew Rhys, both active RWCMD Fellows.
Kate Burton said, ‘I have seen many showcases and RWCMD presented one of the best I have seen; poignant, funny, beautifully acted and sung. It was a tribute to this sterling program and to the future of these wonderful performers in the entertainment industry in the US and the UK.’
Other guests included agents, casting directors, manager and key friends and influencers of the College.
‘It’s a privilege to be able to bring our students work to Signature Theatre and to share their talent with the US artistic community,’ continued Jonathan.
‘The RWCMD Showcase is always a highlight in the industry calendar in the UK, and one of the best attended in the sector. This year saw 100% interest from agents for our students.
The performers on stage showcase the diversity and skill of those we train, and represent the international breadth and range of the RWCMD programme.’
The showcase was held at The Signature Theatre, New York. Among recent RWCMD acting graduate highlights: Isobel Thom, who graduated this year, is currently playing to rave reviews with their eponymous role in I, Joan at the Globe Theatre. Callum Scott Howells, who graduated in 2020, having filmed his Bafta nominated TV debut in It’s A Sin while still studying at College, is about to take over the role as Emcee in Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, designed by RWCMD grad Tom Scutt.