West End Workshop with alumni Kelly Sweeney

Kelly has just made her West End debut in smash hit show ‘Heathers’ & we were lucky enough to have her in the College to run an action-packed workshop which saw students utilise their skills in acting, singing and dancing.

The students were treated to a wonderful performance by Kelly and ended the day with a great Q & A about the musical theatre industry.

Alumni brings Christmas Cheer to Liverpool

“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.” Ruth Carter Stapleton

The Archbishop Beck Catholic College community was delighted to welcome back to Liverpool former student Kelly Sweeney. Kelly was performing at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool along with a talented cast, bringing Christmas cheer, fun and entertainment to the city.

Head of vocal studies Mrs Owens who taught Kelly and who was able to be in the audience at a recent performance described Kelly’s performance “as stunning, entertaining and simply brilliant”.

Kelly Sweeney

Welcome to the ‘Age of Aquarius’. It’s 1967 and Hair’s hippie ‘tribe’ youngsters in the East Village of New York are yearning to change the world, questioning authority and the American flag. Wild, colourful and free, they are united in protest and song, under the shadow of the Vietnam War.

Kelly, welcome back to Liverpool, What brings you here?

I’m back in Liverpool with the tour of “Hair” the musical. I play the role of Crissy in the show and I am so excited to be performing in the Empire for the first time in my professional career it has been a big dream of mine.

What have you been doing since you left the college?

Since I left the College I took a year out and worked and saved money. I attended a performing arts college for two years in Liverpool call Rare Studio where I worked intensively in musical theatre and then moved on to London to study a Masters in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music. I then graduated in 2018 and have been working professionally in theatre in London along with some other jobs in between.

What Primary school did you attend?

I attended St Francis De Sales nursery, infants and Primary school.

What are you memories of your time at the college?

There are so many but have to say all the trips I was lucky to go on and perform in like Italy, Spain, Holland, Paris and Lourdes. It was amazing to see beautiful parts of the world with my friends and play my sax and sing all over. Have to say all the musicals I did as well with the amazing Mrs Allen was a real highlight and confirmed what I wanted to do with my life. And basically working hard in what I loved with amazing teachers like Mrs Newton, Mrs Forster, Mr Hicks & Mr O’Brien not sure how they coped with me but I am very grateful for all they taught me.

Our A Level students are about to take their A Level Examinations, any advice to them?

I would say relax, take a breath and write with passion. It may feel like the end of the world if a test doesn’t go perfectly but there’s always another chance to get it right and pressure can really get to you at this point but remember that taking a small break from revision can actually really help you digest information. Take your time with answers and try to find the fun. And always always make sure your phone is on silent because the shame of your alarm clock going off in the hall is horrendous as I quickly found out!

Thank you Kelly, we all look forward to coming to the Empire to see you in “Hair” in the coming weeks.

‘Grease’ Workshop

“The gratification comes in the doing, not in the results.” James Dean

The college community were truly delighted to welcome back former student Kelly Sweeney. Kelly came to give support via a workshop to the cast of the forthcoming production of ‘Grease’.

Kelly finished her studies at Archbishop Beck in 2013 having studied Dance, Drama & Art A Levels & having also gained a Diploma in Musical Theatre from the London College Of Music. Kelly was a keen member of our Chamber Choir & Concert Band (playing saxophone) & also had key roles in our productions of ‘Annie’, ‘Oliver’ & ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’

She went on to study at RARE, Liverpool & then the prestigious Royal Academy Of Music, London, gaining an MA in Musical Theatre. She made her professional debut in 2018 in the London production of ‘Unexpected Joy’ and is about to embark on a UK tour of smash hit musical, ‘Hair.’

Our current cast of ‘Grease’ got to work with Kelly on acting through song techniques, presented by our group numbers & some solo songs too. They also did a Q & A with Kelly and she also performed us a song from the new musical ‘Waitress.’

Speaking before returning back to London Kelly said, “It’s so much fun coming back to the college and getting to share my passion for acting and theatre with the young people at Archbishop Beck doing ‘Grease.’ Seeing how much love and specificity they can achieve in one afternoon was wonderful. Good luck to all the cast and teachers involved.”

Former Student Takes to the London Stage

“Truly inspirational, engaging and powerful”

Archbishop Beck Catholic College alumnus, Kelly Sweeney has been cast in the musical Unexpected Joy being staged at London’s Southwark Playhouse.

Kelly is playing the role of Tamara in this latest musical staging of Janet Hood’s and Bill Russell’s musical Unexpected Joy – a story about relationships and legal battles – making the audience look at things differently, from more than one angle.

The original musical version premiered with The York Theatre Company, New York, in a theatre off Broadway.

Kelly, has recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in Musical Theatre, London.

Speaking after returning to the college Mr Hicks said “Kelly was a popular student, she showed great promise, commitment and dedication to the Performing Arts of the College. Her performances included lead roles in all college musicals, an outstanding member of the college Concert Band and Chamber Choir.” Adding “I was delighted to be in the audience to witness a truly amazing performance by Kelly and the rest of the cast.”

Top Award to Top Student

Giving it her Best Shot!

The college community was delighted, thrilled and excited to learn of the outstanding success of alumni Kelly Sweeney on being awarded the prestigious Ronald William White Prize. Kelly is studying at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

The Ronald William White Prize is awarded for the top performance of a musical theatre song with dramatic content.

Vocal Director at Archbishop Beck Catholic College, Mrs Newton said, “ simply wonderful news and we sent our congratulations and best wishes” adding, “Kelly was an amazing student whilst here at the college, gave her best and was a truly inspiration student”.

Alumni Secures Place at Prestigious College!

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” Gail Devers

The college community was delighted, thrilled and very proud to learn that Kelly Sweeney has secured a place for September at the Royal Academy of Music, London, to read for a MA in Musical Theatre. The Director of the Musical Theatre course is the world renowned Mr. Daniel Bowling.

Kelly has also been awarded a scholarship from RARE School of Performing Arts Liverpool to aid her studies.