St Edmund's
La La Land – Day 3
Well rested, we are beginning to fall into the LA groove now, so after another good breakfast we head out to see the Hollywood walk of fame: 2,800 stars embedded in the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard, monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry, bearing the names of musicians, directors and actors – including St Ed’s very own Orlando Bloom.
How surreal to then walk a block to the ‘Stella Adler Academy of Acting’ to take part in a workshop with one of the main acting teachers from this prestigious school, who trained with Stella Adler herself, the woman responsible for such greats as Marlon Brando and Robert de Niro. Sitting in the class felt exactly like being back at Drama school as the teacher stripped acting down to its bare human essentials, stretching and challenging our wonderful pupils; she did not compromise her way of teaching, and required our pupils to embark upon the difficult path of coming face to face with themselves. This journey towards self awareness and understanding is essential for an actor; it is the foundation that is needed to bring to life other human beings on stage. The openness, strength and resilience that our pupils showed in that class, to face that challenge, a challenge that the majority of people would, given the choice, choose to avoid, sent our respect, pride and love for them sky-high. Bravo, you lot, bravo.
From there it was time for something a bit lighter and frothier. A spot of lunch in the cool Abbott Kinney area, then onto Venice Beach, a place like no other in Southern California – a laidback bohemian, beachside boardwalk filled with culture, creativity, exotic aromas and some very colourful characters. As the sun started to set and the sky was filled with a warm array of oranges and reds over the Pacific Ocean, we walked together, chatting all the while, to Santa Monica, arriving an hour later as darkness fell, welcomed by the bright lights of the pier. After a rollercoaster ride, a few photo booth memories and a stick of candy floss it was time to get on the coach and head home. What a day!
Howard Sykes
Assistant Director of Drama
