Carmel College was delighted to welcome actor and singer Carley Stenson for a special workshop with our Year 12 BTEC Performance (Musical Theatre) students, as they prepare for their first assessed performance in January.

Carley delivered an inspiring and energetic session focused on developing core acting skills essential for musical theatre. Drawing on her extensive professional experience, she guided students through the fundamentals of character development, encouraging them to think deeply about what a character wants and how this drives performance.

A key focus of the workshop was exploring how playwrights embed vital clues within the text — the “hidden gems” that, when uncovered, help bring characters vividly to life on stage. Through practical exercises and discussion, students were challenged to engage more thoughtfully with scripts and to make bold, informed performance choices.

The session was met with great enthusiasm, and students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn from a working professional in the industry.

We would like to thank Carley Stenson for sharing her time, insight, and expertise with our students, and for providing such a motivating and memorable experience.

To find out more about studying BTEC Performance (Musical Theatre) at Carmel College, BTEC Performing Arts (Theatre) – BTEC College – Carmel College.