Post by Jessica Hartley

Let's recap the last few months 🌟 I have loved my second year at the University of Warwick, so I thought I'd share some of my favourite experiences with you all! 🎭 Marketing for The Improv Musical at Edinburgh Fringe This August, I had the most rewarding time at the Fringe Festival with Music Theatre Warwick's 'The Improv Musical' - back for their 10th year at Gilded Balloon's Patterhouse! My role involved creating daily show recap posts on social media, posting TikToks, designing the show's programme, communicating with reviewers, flyering on the Royal Mile, and interviewing audience members. This was also such a full circle moment because I watched the show in 2023 as an audience member before I started my degree at Warwick 💫 📚 I Have A Voice Training & Internship Scheme In June, I was selected to attend I have a voice CIC's fantastic internship scheme where I gained valuable insights into the public affairs sector from policy professionals at Weber Shandwick, GK Strategy, British Business Bank, and the People's Partnership. ↪️ It was also such a pleasure working alongside Rashidah Ayinbode, Naomi W. and Natalie Stoker to produce a pitch for our public affairs campaign ‘Re-threading the Textile Industry’, and another highlight of the scheme was chatting to Bell Ribeiro MP! Thank you so much to Rebecca Deegan and Amelia Christie for organising, as well as all the support I have received from I have a voice CIC over the last (can you believe it) 4 years! 🫶 🎶 Co-Producing 'Ordinary Days' In May, I produced my first musical - an independent production of 'Ordinary Days', fundraising for WWF! It was a pleasure working with such a talented cast and team, and we raised over £600 from ticket sales and charity fundraisers. You can find out more about our show at @ordinarydays.uow on Instagram. 🌞 Sociology Study Trip to Porto I was also lucky enough to attend the Warwick Sociology Study Trip to Porto, Portugal in May - run by Sílvia Gomes and Maria do Mar Pereira. Through feminist city tours, attending insightful exhibitions and visiting a Women’s Prison, we explored the intersections of gender, sexuality, crime, justice and urban life within the city. It was also a lovely chance to get to know students and staff from across the department, and the trip really deepened my curiosity and critical thinking for Sociology. 🎤 In June, I had the pleasure of performing to a sold out crowd in the 'Stars Align Cabaret' as part of the annual Warwick Student Arts Festival. 🕺 In July, I attended CROappella III - an a cappella festival held in Croatia for top a cappella groups from around the world. I attended several workshops with inspiring mentors, and performed in Zadar, Croatia with 'The Leamingtones', outside the famous St Donatus church. I'm now looking forward to entering my final year at the University of Warwick - working on my dissertation and continuing my role as President for Warwick A Cappella Society!