James Cruickshank

What is your name and what did you study?

My name is James Cruickshank and I studies BA (Hons) Performing Arts.

What attracted you to the University of Chester?

When I came for an open day for the Performing Arts course at the University of Chester, I fell in love with Creative Campus, Kingsway as it has so many amazing rehearsal and performing spaces and equipment that allowed me to belong and develop and grow as a performer. I knew I belonged on this degree on this amazing campus. I knew coming here would allow me to be the performer I am and develop my performance skills in so many ways.

What was your motivation for choosing that programme, what confirmed that decision in your mind?

When I was deciding what I wanted to study at degree level I was struggling with whether to choose a degree in dance or drama. When I discovered there was the option to study Performing Arts it allowed me to be able to continue my love of drama and dance, which made me so happy as I was able to study exactly what I wanted to without limitations.

What part of the academic programme did you enjoy the most?

What I loved most about the Performing Arts programme is that it has allowed me to tailor the degree to me. The module options allowed me to lose myself in both dance and drama. I was able to express myself and explore so many aspects of performing, whether it was having fun in street and urban dance, or developing my contemporary dance technique in studio practice and engaging in research. I found my love of choreographing and using performance technology to enhance my work. Performing Arts at Chester introduced me to new ways of performing drama and I was able to discover new ways of performing using my body.

After studying Performing Arts, it has taught me to be a versatile performer and to aim to achieve many goals. It has prepared me for so much, such as work as a performer, but it has prepared me for so much more as I am now able to work individually and collaboratively and have the skills to set create and perform in a performance. Studying Performing Arts at the University of Chester has not just prepared me to perform, it has prepared me for every single possible job I’ll do in the future.

How has your degree helped you to continue to achieve your goals and aspirations?

Studying Performing Arts has allowed me to continue to do what I love, which is to be involved in performing arts but to also believe in myself and be prepared for performing art-related jobs. It has as allowed me to continue to dance and perform, as well as different ways that I can improve to become the best performer I can be.

If you’re looking to do a degree within the Arts, I would highly recommend this course from all the amazing content you learn and finding yourself through becoming a performer. The amazing staff and lecturers who are so lovely and supportive and do so much for their students. With amazing facilities to perform and research. I honestly believe that Chester is a place where magic happens which brings so much fun and prepares you for the industry. This is a degree that can be tailored to you and provides a place where you belong.