Guildhall School announces 2021 Gold Medal winners for Acting and Production Arts

The winner of the Acting Gold Medal is Aoife Gaston who has just completed the BA (Hons) Acting programme. The award is given to the student who, in the opinion of the Acting staff, has most embraced the spirit and ethos of the training.

In her final year at Guildhall School, Gaston has written and performed her own devised work Hoxton Hall as part of Pieces of Us, a series of short, stand-alone performances created by Guildhall School actors in lockdown; played the role of Golden in Pod, created and directed by Jamie Bradley and Vicki Igbokwe, devised with the Company of Guildhall School; and was Pavlina in Barbarians, directed by Oliver Dimsdale and Victoria Moseley of Filter Theatre.

On being awarded the Gold Medal, Gaston says: “Guildhall School has enabled me to grow, and the training has given me more confidence than I thought possible, not just as an actor, but also in my personal life. It has helped me see that my dyslexia does not make me less able than others, but can actually be a blessing, while I know the support of my year and the lessons I have learned will follow me throughout my career.”

The Production Arts Gold Medal goes to Joshua Collins who has just completed the BA (Hons) Technical Theatre Arts (Theatre Technology). The award is given to the student who, in the opinion of the Production Arts staff, has consistently surpassed all expectations in whatever role they have undertaken, demonstrating exceptional interpersonal skills and making a significant contribution to the department.

In his final year, Collins was Production Manager on the Opera Triple Bill and Barbarians which were broadcast to online audiences. He also arranged a new project during the January 2021 lockdown for himself and his peers: a virtual concert set in London’s O2 arena. Collins plans to work as a freelance Production Manger after graduation whilst also undertaking a Follow Spot Operation role on Jersey Boys at Trafalgar Theatre.

On receiving the Production Arts Gold Medal, Collins says: “I feel honoured to receive this prestigious award, especially with my cohort containing so many worthy candidates. I am extremely glad I chose to switch tracks and come to Guildhall School for my Technical Theatre training, compared to my original plans of going on to study Engineering. Something I can’t speak highly enough of is the staff’s willingness to support you, they’re always there and willing to give you their time. I have always aimed to put 110% into everything I’ve done, to maximise the opportunity I’ve been given, and it is a mantra I will carry with me out into the industry.”