A COLLABORATION of students at Bradford College brought a hugely popular musical comedy to the stage.

Students from a variety of courses across the college came together to use their skills to put on a production of hit musical Hairspray.

Performing arts students took the leading roles in the musical, which follows teenager Tracy Turnblad’s fight against bigotry in 1960s America while music students provided the soundtrack, make-up degree students created the retro looks and photography students from the degree course took publicity shots.

The project, which took place last week, allowed students to experience a production-based professional environment, working with young people all working in their specialist areas.

Ceri Lewis, programme leader of the BA (hons) degree in Media Make-up with Special Effects, said: “This work experience not only expands their make-up application and creative hair skills but also develops their transferable skills of teamwork, communication, problem-solving, professionalism and set etiquette.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for collaborative learning, improving self-confidence and enjoying themselves on a live brief.”

Callum Washington, a student on the Media Make-up with Special Effects degree, said: “Working with another part of the performing industry within college on the Hairspray production has not only benefited our makeup skills and hair skills but also shows a diverse approach to our learning and work etiquette. It will help me as a makeup artist build future contacts and build my portfolio even further.”

Final year Photography degree students Kerrie Holmes and Paige Rowbottom took the photos of the FE Performing Arts students who were starring in the show.

Miss Rowbottom said: “Learning how to photograph a model in the studio is one thing, learning how to direct and pose an entire theatre group of 30 acting students is another.”

Miss Holmes added: “With a large group of people you have to learn to focus your attention on every detail to ensure that each shot works as well as the last."