Series 3, Episode 5: Central Short Courses with Mairi Hayes and Jake Harders

For the fifth episode of our third series of the Discover Central podcast, we’re joined by Mairi Hayes and Jake Harders, both graduates of Central, who now work across the School’s diploma and short courses to find out more about their work.

Mairi Hayes graduated from Central’s BA Acting course in 2008, and is now the School’s Community Drama and Diploma Manager with responsibility for overseeing the entirety of Central’s short course provision. Beyond Central, Mairi has worked extensively as an actor and theatre maker with companies including the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Roundhouse, the Lowry Theatre in Manchester, the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre, the UK Film Council, BBC and ITV. She has also worked in a broad range of arts community and educational contexts, including work in schools and colleges, youth clubs and theatres, and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Jake Harders graduated from the BA Acting course in 2003, and alongside his co-course leadership with Mairi of the online acting diploma, he is also a Visiting Lecturer across several of Central’s short courses. Jake has travelled the world working as an award winning professional actor in theatre, television, film, and radio. He has also studied with and has been profoundly influenced by many of Jerzy Grotowski’s original actors at the Grotowski Centre in Poland. Alongside his extensive teaching schedule, he is currently undertaking research for a PhD on the contribution of Grotowski to UK actor training. 

We’re also delighted to welcome Sonny Kong and Luke Fox, graduates of Central’s diploma courses who tell us more about their experiences of studying at Central.

You can find out more information about Central’s range of short courses and diploma offerings on our site.

You can also find out more about Access All Areas theatre company, with whom Central partners to run the Performance Making Diploma course, by visiting their website.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode below**