East 15 alumni take over Lambeth Fringe Festival

At least fourteen shows taking place this September and October across London Fringe Festivals feature graduates from East 15 Acting School.

The number of alumni creating, producing and performing their own work at events such as the Lambeth and Wanstead Fringe Festivals is a testament to the rigour of our acting programs and the high quality of the work produced by our students. 

Nicole Palomba, alumna and lecturer at East 15, who is also performing her own show, Bodies of Water, at Lambeth Fringe Festival, says that ‘it gives her hope’ to see so many alumni taking their work to the stage and believing in themselves, particularly as so many have graduated so recently.

“Making work with a voice, with muscle, that is independent and brave and vulnerable is what I think is needed to bring this industry back to its roots. Back to what is important - telling stories that can help people feel confident in their own. Every time I see an alumni show, it leaves me beaming...part of it is the claiming of the audacity. How dare we, as East 15 graduates, make something incredible? Something new? Something that is ours? I love to see it and I'm humbled to be alongside them.”

With over half of the alumni having graduated just a month or two ago, many of the shows were developed while the cast were still students and formed part of their dissertations.

“I've seen so many groups take shows to Fringe because it felt like they had no other choice. The show had to made. The story had to be told. They didn't want to stop working together...they haven't found an existing opportunity that shows their skill, truth, culture, so they made one. It's inspiring and although not the most poetic, they are always so fun. We are a clever, funny and heartfelt community.”

Like Nicole, many of the alumni involved came to train at East 15 from overseas; She said: “We have to lean into each other once we graduate. We understand the experience of art making as immigrants as well as making a home in a new country and making work in a new market – all things that are difficult on their own, but combined can seem impossible if you don't have a village to support you.”

Theatre is run on community, and the strength of our East 15 alumni community is clear to see.

What’s happening and when to watch them

Phoney, 10-14 September, featuring Finn Harkin (MA Acting, 2024).

Richard II, 15 September, featuring MA Acting and MFA Acting International graduates David Martinez, Tara McMillan, Ian Black, Maira Vandiver, Song Marshall, Jaelon Love, Audrey Parry, Cecilie Kruse, Nicole Brohl and Catty Tucker.

Selfies, Visas, and How I Pay for my Dinners, 19-20 September, featuring Anastasiya Ador (MA Acting International, 2022).

Golden Age, 24 September, featuring MA Directing, MA and MFA Acting International graduates Manley Gavich, Audrey Parry, Shelby Corley, Carolina Emidio, Hannah Waldman, Catherine Mieses, Page Mardell and Tatianna Nicholle Davis.

Short Plays, Big Stories, 26-28 September, featuring MA Acting and MFA Acting International graduates Alessandra Rigi-Luperti, Emily Wollenberg and Shea Donovan. 

The Womb , 28 September, featuring BA Acting International and MA Acting International graduates, Tara McMillan, Aylin Rodoplu and Elise Xiaqi Eriksen. 

Prescribed Existence, 29 September, featuring Song Marshall (MFA Acting International, 2024).

Look At Me, 29 September, featuring MA Acting graduates Christina Leitner, Rebecca Bidwell and Catarina Grangeon.

Bodies of Water, 2 October, featuring Nicole Palomba (MFA Acting International, 2017 and  Current Lecturer on Loughton Campus).

Abigail, 5 October, featuring Nelma Vapaa-Jåå (MFA Acting International, 2024).

Things Between Heaven and Earth, 6-7 October, featuring Jun Noh (MA Acting International, 2021).

Spooky Theatre Scratch Night, 16 October, featuring MA and MFA Acting International graduates Diana Hognogi, Alessandra Rigi- Luperti and Shashank Sharma.

Houses Apart, 19-20 October, featuring MA Acting graduates Faith Foakes, Edd Pullen, Viola Rizzardi, Mika Rontti, Olivia Winnifrith.