Zain Sutherland, a former Bury College Performing Arts student, is currently thriving in his career on stage and credits the Performing Arts department as a big reason for this success.

The 29-year-old achieved a Triple Distinction on the course and since leaving has performed in stage adaptations of Wind in the Willows, Night Flight a New Musical, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar and Robin Hood. He’s currently touring with Demon Dentist, a stage version of David Walliams’s popular book.

Zain is going to come in and do a workshop for the current crop of aspiring performers in October when the tour hits Manchester. 

Andy Tomlinson, Head of School of Performance, said: “He is an ideal role model for our current learners, and we are so proud of his continued success and achievements.”

Zain told us: “My two years of studying Performing Arts at Bury College were two of the best years of my life. In addition to meeting some of my closest friends, the level of training we received was outstanding, I don’t feel I could have been any more prepared to move onto stage school than after finishing Performing Arts at Bury College. 

“It is a safe and supportive environment where we could be creative and thrive, but at the same time, we were taught a level of discipline that I’ve used throughout my life inside and out of this industry. A flame I never knew I had was lit in me by the tutors, and I know I wouldn’t be doing what I am today without them. So, thank you!”

Zain’s Stage and commercial credits:

  • Demon Dentist (UK Tour and Westend 22/23)
  • Wind in the Willows (Taunton Brewhouse)
  • Night Flight a New Musical (Oxford)
  • Peter Pan (QE2, Dubai)
  • Jesus Christ Superstar (St Mary’s Cathedral)
  • Robin Hood (Italian Tour)
  • Sekonda Watches (Academy)
  • Nando’s (Friend)
  • Macmillan (Flare Productions)
  • Canon Printer (Canon Group)
  • Barclays Bank (Sam Hibbard)

If you have been inspired by Zain’s journey to success, take a look at our Performing Arts courses here: https://burycollege.ac.uk/courses/vocational/performing-arts-level-3 

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