PERFORMING Arts students at Priestley College have been learning from the best in recent weeks thanks to a series of workshops.

Experts in everything from ‘the grotesque’ to the lyrical contemporary dance have put the aspiring actors and performers through their paces.

“It really does raise the students’ aspirations by introducing them to professionals in their chosen disciplines,” said Sarah Graham, head of performing arts.

“It is the best way to introduce them to industry standards and our students always raise their level during these workshops.”

One of the first challenges was set by Paris Green, a dancer with Thriller Live, which opened in Shaftesbury Avenue and has been performed there more than 2,000 times.

Next in were the Burjesta Theatre Company who showed off the art of 'buffooning and grotesque' while the Rambert – Britain’s national dance company – tackled one of the AS students’ set works called Ghost Dancers.

Dancer Hannah Lockyer ran a half day workshop exploring routines, which were originally choreographed by Christopher Bruce CBE.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to be taught by a professional company and Hannah was particularly impressed by the standard of the dance students and how hard they worked,” said Tutor Rachel Leyland.

In the past few years dozens of Priestley’s performers and production arts students have received offers from the UK’s top theatre schools and several have returned to help the next generation.

Ben Cupit, now studying at the Arts Educational School in London, and Ashley Bradbury, now at the University of Middlesex, both came back to Priestley to give advice and guidance on how to succeed.

“It is has been a great few weeks for the Performing Arts students and the good news is we have more of the same planned for 2015,” said Sarah.