PRESS RELEASE

April 2016

Cheltenham Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (CAMDA) is Seeking Actor to Play Benjamin in Local Production of 'The Graduate'

Cheltenham's new small private drama school CAMDA is launching their first Summer School this August and is seeking an actor to undertake the infamous role of Benjamin in the stage play version of the 1967 Oscar-winning film The Graduate.

Nicky Carter, a professional actress who is CAMDA's Principal, explains: "We shall be running a showcase of performances, including medleys and key scenes from Les Miserables and Oliver!, as well as scenes from The Graduate. We are delighted to have on board Claire McGill to play Mrs Robinson in The Graduate at the award-winning Parabola Arts Theatre. Claire comes to us direct from the USA, having been in TV shows House of Cards and VEEP and performing on stage with the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. 

"Both Claire and I loved the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack, and it's been a dream of Claire's to play this iconic role in the second most popular film 'of all time', so it seemed a perfect fit.  CAMDA now needs to find a Benjamin - someone aged between 19 and 25 years old - who is convincing as a "disillusioned college graduate age 21."

The theme of The Graduate is fairly mature, and the script shall be edited for the showcase piece, to make it suitable for a younger audience. Nicky adds: "We've not decided yet if it will be performed in an American accent - though if we find a Benjamin who can do one authentically, then we certainly shall!"

Led by CAMDA's Head of Music, Vince Freeman, dates will include a Charity performance on Monday 8 August at 6.00 pm and an excerpt of scenes and songs from The Graduate on Friday 12 August at the Parabola Arts Centre in Cheltenham, with rehearsals taking place during May, June and July.  Nicky adds: "This role is a tough one to get right, and we consider it to be a professional undertaking. If we get the right Benjamin, we're keen to make this a full stage production in August with the full cast and original stage play script."

CAMDA offers Royal Academy and Industry Masterclasses during Summer School and a one year Acting Diploma, run and designed by a highly experienced team of RADA alumni to suit all ages in appropriate size groups, 6 years+ (no upper age limit) - ideal for enhancing skills, CV, discipline, arts knowledge and confidence in acting, music and performance. 

Any potential Benjamins can contact info@camda.org, admin on 07545 345655 or claire@garfunkelcommunications.co.uk for further information and audition dates.

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For more info contact claire@garfunkelcommunications.co.uk