spotlight on performers summer 2015
DESCRIPTION
News on the progress and successes of our students, public shows and performances choreographed and staged by the College, and Audition and Open Day dates.TRANSCRIPT
Performers College, Southend Road, Corringham, Essex, SS17 8JT - 01375 672053 - www.performerscollege.co.uk
Congratulations to the Beat Brothers on their success in Britain’s Got Talent this summer. Performers College students: Stuart Rouse, Barney Hudson and Matt Powel plus graduate John Ward formed the toe tapping group with Joey Stribley and made it through to the semi-finals. Their tap dancing routine wowed the UK with their precision, timing and skill. The top hat and tails routine choreographed by our resident choreographer Emma Rogers and Performers graduate Dougie Mills brought back the golden era of Hollywood and was simply stunning. Student Matt Powell said “it was an incredible experience, live TV is just so different from theatre and we loved every minute”. The comments from the judges included:
Simon Cowell: At the auditions I thought I’m not crazy about this kind of act. The difference from the first audition to tonight is like chalk and cheese. That was incredible. It was the energy you gave. You want to win and I can see it in your eyes!
Alesha Dixon: It was good old fashioned entertainment. Perfect start to the show.
David Walliams: Congratulations, you brought tap right up to date and made it sexy. I owe you an apology, for asking you to take your top off…I wish I had told you to strip nude!
Amanda Holden: It was so slick and so special and think you were right when you said you have reinvented an old genre. You brought it back, right up too date. I got the memo. I adored it!
Issue 1
One hundred of our Dance and Musical Theatre students provided pre-match entertainment at the F A Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 30th May with a fantastic dance routine choreographed by Christian Storm. Split into two groups representing Arsenal and Aston Villa with co-ordinating coloured costumes, the dancers performed a five minute routine to Up Rising by Muse.
Singing the national anthem alongside the players on the pitch was an added bonus!
This is the 3rd year that the agency Mass Movement have invited Performers College to take part in this iconic annual event and an invaluable experience for our students.
On Wednesday 10th June we
welcomed 20 Performing Arts
pupils from Ormiston Park
Academy to a taster day at
Performers, giving them an insight
into the world of dance and
musical theatre. They watched
several dance classes and
participated in a jazz class with
tutor Tony Parrie.
Performers Principal Tracey Lee,
talked to some of the Ormiston
Park pupils and was delighted to
hear their feedback, particularly
from student Stephanie Macauley “I am so
inspired and would love to do this when I leave
school” and Year 10 student Emerald Gunn
“I am now really determined to succeed in
Musical Theatre and make a career out of it.”
June Purnell, Performing Arts Curriculum
Leader from the Academy was over the moon
with the enthusiasm shown by her pupils and stated “We want to close the gap between the haves and
have nots and inspire our students to believe in themselves and achieve their goals. By offering them
invaluable experiences, particularly with such a fantastic organisation as Performers College, they will be
motivated to be the best that they can be”. Fun was had by all as well as giving us the perfect opportunity
to showcase our facilities.
Many congratulations to these Year three students who graduate this
summer and have already secured roles in their chosen careers.
Holly Adams Ensemble - Puttin on the Ritz (Monaco & UK Tour) - Spirit Productions
Ensemble - Thursford Christmas Spectacular
Hannah Bodenham Dancer - Baku - European Games
Dancer – P & O Australia
Andrew Borthwick Ensemble/Cover - The Spitfire Grill - Union Theatre
O’Brian Broomfield Vocalist/Performer – Warner Leisure
Leah Cunard Dancer - Warner Leisure
Liam Dickinson Dancer – Princess Cruises
Phoebe Fisher Production/Lead Vocalist – Costa Cruises
Cerissa Frostick Character Artist - Shrek Adventure Land - London
Ashleigh Graham Snow White - Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
Kenneth Moore Theatre - Ilford
Barney Hudson Ensemble - Last Night a DJ Saved My Life - UK Tour
Emily Imerfreys Dancer - AIDA Cruises
Joshua Ivey Dancer – Bor Productions – Budapest
Ensemble Dancer - Thriller West End
Keenan Knight Dancer – Princess Cruises
Anna Knowles Singer/Dancer – P & O Australia
Dominic Le Brun Dancer – P & O Australia
Ruby Newson Dancer – P & O Australia
Renee Ocran Ensemble - Tanzer - Lion King – Hamburg Germany
Matthew Powell Ensemble - Puttin on the Ritz (Monaco & UK Tour) - Spirit Productions
Alice Rourke Character / Performer – Disneyland Paris
Stuart Rouse Ensemble - Puttin on the Ritz (Monaco & UK Tour) - Spirit Productions
Ensemble - Last Night a DJ Saved My Life - UK Tour
Krisha Sachania Vocalist/Performer – Warner Leisure
Tommy Sheen Dancer – P & O Britannia
Hollie Ware Dancer – P & O Britannia
Edward Whitehead Dancer – P & O Britannia
All fourteen students have passed their Imperial Society Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D) Unit 4 Diploma in Dance Instruction in tap genre at Performers College. This is an optional external exam which is not connected to the Trinity course that we follow as standard. Students have to be committed and put in a lot of hard work as well as their usual studies and rehearsals. Unit 4 is a practical solo examination and involves the theory of teaching and movement. Applicants must demonstrate, discuss and analyse the ISTD syllabus work from Grade 1-5. Many thanks to Jackie Barnes course co-ordinator and Lyn Richardson for the practical classes. Congratulations to:
Emily Cotter Ellis Curtis Rhiannon Bennett Millie Penny Janine Cook
Ellen Budd Anita Achillea Jaimee Welsh Rebecca Wood Ashley Townsend
Alison Head Cerissa Frostick Corinne Swallow Georgina Temple
Move it is a must on any dancers calendar! Held once a year at the Excel Centre in London it features performances from dance schools and colleges from all over the UK. Over three days 22,000 visitors can have a totally unique dance experience, with dance performances, classes, advice as well as shopping, what more could you want! There’s plenty to choose from and whether you’re a huge ballroom fan, ballet buff, hip-hop newbie, desperate to try belly
dance or keen to master your technique, you can find a huge range of dance styles to satisfy every dance enthusiast – no matter your ability level.
Earlier this year Performers College made a massive impact on the stage at Move It, with a jaw dropping, sensational musical theatre piece ‘Too Darn Hot’ from Kiss me Kate by resident choreographer Emma Rogers. No matter how many times you watch it, prepare to be amazed every time. We are so proud of our talented and committed dancers at Performers College.
To view this spectacular piece please go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu1HYEQuSvM
Not only were the audience wowed by that piece but several others including Euphoria choreographed by Mark Webb, Elegy for Dunkirk by resident choreography Paul Roberts and for the Showcase Theatre, I feel for you by Artistic Director Chris Baldock, all of which can be viewed on you tube also.
Too Darn Hot Rehearsals
Pre-stage photo call
Earlier this year we held our annual
Choreography, Acting & Singing
Competition at the Thameside Theatre
in Grays with guest adjudicators making
the final decisions. The array of talent
this year was outstanding, which gave
the expert judges some difficult
decisions to make! We welcomed Actress & Singer Charlotte Page, Choreographer Kendra
J Horsburgh and Acting adjudicator Jamie Wilson. Congratulations to the following
winners of the 2015 Competition:
Charlotte Page Kendra J Horsburgh Jamie Wilson
Solo Choreography Claire Lander
Duet Choreography Chloe Gunn & Ellen Budd
Group Choreography Shauna Olley & Megan Spiers
Georgina Temple
Solo Singing - Year 1 Molly Langley
Solo Singing - Year 2 Heather Stodter
Solo Singing - Year 3 Phoebe Fisher
Duet Singing Emily Scott & Tiffany Wells
Ashleigh Graham & Anita Achillea
Acting - Monologue - Year 2 Nicole Thorpe
Acting - Monologue - Year 3 Leah Cunard
Acting - Duologue Nicole Thorpe & Sarah Hanley
Joint Winners
Joint Winners
Edward Scissorhands, devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne played at the Mayflower Theatre in March 2015 before embarking on a UK tour. Performer’s graduate Chris Neumann portrayed a Hope Springs resident in the production.
Can You Dance? Was founded in 2012 by BBC TV series ‘So You
Think You Can Dance’ winner Matt Flint and Tom Shilcock, who
reached the final five. The aim of the convention is to make dance
accessible for all ages and abilities, whether it’s to pursue a career in
performing arts or just dance for fun. It’s also a great place to
discover new talent. The events took place earlier this year in
Norwich, Nottingham, Leeds, Kent and Newcastle and Performers
College attended three of these events enabling us to promote the college and showcase
our talented students. Visitors can browse the Industry Exhibition, find out about college
opportunities and seek career advice as well as take part in seminars and masterclasses.
The Council for Dance Education & Training (CDET) accredits
professional training programmes in vocational dance and
musical theatre and validates awarding organisations which offer
qualifications in this genre. We work closely with them but this
was the first Dance Careers Conference and Performance in Birmingham that we had attended
for many years. The conference is open to students looking for further education in dance and
musical theatre and they can attend ballet, jazz and musical theatre classes on site which are
given by tutors from the prospective educational establishments. They also have the
opportunity to gain insight into what it is like to audition for a vocational college, as well as the
audition process itself. Parents are welcome too, with specialists on hand to advise on funding,
careers and choosing the right vocational school/college.
Performers College Principal Tracey Lee was accompanied by Chris Baldock, Artistic Director
and pre-vocational co-ordinator Keeley East, together with contemporary dance tutor Blair
Tookey. They took time to talk to prospective new students, whose ages ranged from 13-18
years old, all with a passion for dance and musical theatre. Blair also taught a contemporary
dance class which was very popular. Eight of our students also gave up their free time to attend
and display their talents dancing a contemporary piece called ‘Grain of Sand’ by contemporary
dance co-ordinator Nikki O’Hara.
Many thanks to Performers students Holly Adams, Ellen Bleasdale, Dom le Brun, Matt Powell,
Liam Dickinson, Barney Hudson, Stuart Rouse and Tommy Sheen for promoting the college and
taking the time to chat to visitors about life at Performers.
Our annual show featuring Year Groups 1-3 in
both Dance Theatre & Musical Theatre will take
place from 9th - 11th July 2015 at the Towngate
Theatre in Basildon. Unfortunately our readers
will have to wait for all the details as we go to
press prior to the event. However if previous
shows are anything to go by it will be an absolute
showstopper! We hope you have your tickets!
We love hearing about graduates successes and are so proud of them all. Well done to Paulo Teixeira who is currently part of the ensemble in Love Me Tender, a new musical by Joe Di Pietro.
From the producers of Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Jersey Boys and West Side Story this is a
hilarious, feel-good musical featuring Elvis Presley’s greatest hits. In a small town in 1950’s USA, a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town. Is he The Devil In Disguise or a Hound Dog in his Blue Suede Shoes? The townsfolk are about to be All Shook Up and could be headed for Heartbreak Hotel, but for Natalie, the love-struck, tomboy mechanic, it really is Now or Never. Packed with 25 of the best loved songs by The King himself, Love Me Tender by the writer of the award-winning West End and Broadway smash hit Memphis, is a funny and moving tale of hope, second chances and the healing qualities of Rock’n’Roll. Sounds like a great combination! Paulo’s other credits include We Will Rock You, Wicked and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
Well done to 3rd Year student Hannah Bodenham who
has been in Baku, Azerbaijan for most of June rehearsing
for the closing ceremony of the 1st European Games.
How exciting for Hannah to have worked with two world
class Artistic Directors; Dimitris Papaioannou, creator of
the Athens Olympic Ceremonies and James Hadley,
Director for Cirque du Soleil in North America. Hannah will also be taking to the high seas
after Baku, where she has secured a dancing role on a cruise liner for P&O Australia.
Hannah wasn't alone
in Azerbaijan as our
contemporary dance
co-ordinator at
Performers College,
Nikki O’Hara was
also taking centre
stage as a solo
aerialist in the
Opening Ceremony. Suspended high above the stadium in a harness and riding a huge
white mythical bull she depicted Europa, a Phoenician Princess representing the Greek
God Zeus. After stunning the audience with her grace and skill, an unharnessed Nikki
walked around the circular stage with the other performers and athletes to a deafening
applause. Wow!
May was a very busy month for
Performers College with three separate
productions taking place either at the
Kenneth Moore Theatre in Ilford or the
Thameside Theatre in Grays. First off was
the Fourth Dimension shows on 8th & 9th
May 2015 where our graduating Year 3
Dance Theatre students performed the
most amazing dance routines. One after the other, either the stunning, hi impact or beautiful
contemporary dances just kept coming leaving the audience breathless just watching it! Every
dance genre you can think of was represented from ballet, hip hop, and tap to 70’s funk.
The title Fourth Dimension represented ‘time’ and recognition of the student’s commitment
to the three years of training at Performers College;
First Dimension : The student’s one dimensional view of what would be required of
them within the entertainment industry.
Second Dimension : The Student’s realisation of the numerous layers, both physically
and emotionally, that are required to achieve their ambition.
Third Dimension : The development of mature, professional, triple threat students
ready to make their mark within the entertainment genre.
Fourth Dimension : The unknown factor that will make a performer stand out from the
rest. This cannot be taught it can only be enhanced and we have it
in abundance!
The chorographers excelled themselves and we would like to thank all of them for creating
such a superb array of dances that showcased our talented students; Chris Baldock, Sophia
Hurdley, Tony Parrie, Joanne Darnell, Nikki O’Hara, Blair Tookey, Eilidh Ross, Mark
Webb, Keeley East, Emma Rogers and David Anderson. We also have to mention the
amazing costumes and our thanks to Keeley East, Emma Rogers, Marge and her team!
On Saturday 27th June we held a ‘Boys
Day’ at Performers College giving boys aged
13 and over who are interested in a dance
career an opportunity to sign up for a full
day of classes. Enrolment was free and classes incorporated
Contemporary with Georges Hann, Commercial Jazz with Tony Parrie,
Musical Theatre with Mikey Robinson and Vanessa Leagh Hicks and
Body Conditioning/Gym with Ken Lewis. The thirty boys thoroughly
enjoyed all the masterclasses and we hope to see some of the returning
for college place auditions in the near future.
After Fourth Dimension it was the turn of our graduating
Year 3 Musical Theatre students who put on a fantastic
production of the musical comedy The Wedding Singer.
Based on the hit film starring Adam Sandler and Drew
Barrymore this high energy, fast paced musical was an
absolute joy to watch. It’s 1985 and rock-star wannabe
Robbie Hart (played by Kyle Herbert) is
New Jersey’s favourite wedding singer.
He’s the life and soul of the party until
his fiancé jilts him at the altar. Shot
through the heart, Robbie is pulled back
from the brink by Julia (played by
Ashleigh Graham) a cute young waitress.
He falls madly in love with her but the
trouble is - Julia is about to be married
to Glen, a wall street shark (played by
Sam Cox). Unless Robbie pulls off the
performance of a decade, the girl of his
dreams is gone forever! With a score from
the 80’s, the Wedding Singer took us back in
time to big hair, shoulder pads and where
greed was good. The professionalism and
talent of the cast was awesome and worthy of
any west-end production. Their
American accents never faltered, even
when singing. The audience were on their
feet at the end and the applause very well
deserved.
A special mention to the following:
Director and Choreographer - Emma
Rogers, Musical Director - Garth Hall, Costume Design - Keeley East & Emma Rogers,
Costume Maintenance - Marge & Lynn, Set Construction - Lee Steward, Head of Musical
Theatre - Michael Gyngell and Artistic Director - Chris Baldock. You must be so proud!
The Pre-Vocational show ‘New Frequency’ was held on 24th
May at the Thameside Theatre in Grays. After a very busy year
of hard work, determination and not forgetting the blood sweat
and tears it was finally time for our Pre-Voc students to show family, friends and special guests
exactly what they were made of. The cast of 32 boys and girls owned that stage and were
absolutely amazing. With 26 song and dance routines in various genres and numerous costume
changes the audience were on their feet in appreciation. Each student gave a professional and
energetic performance and their talent just shone through in abundance. We wish all our Pre-
Vocational students a successful, long and happy career and look forward to welcoming some of
them back on our three year course in September 2015.
Many thanks to Keeley East our Pre-Vocational Course Co-ordinator and Ryan Moore,
Choreographer for their tutoring throughout the year and the following for their direction,
choreography and arrangement for the show; Emma Rogers, Vannessa Leagh-Hicks, Eilidh
Ross, Sara Parry, Chris Baldock, Fiona Lloyd and Mitchell Eley. Here are just a selection of
tweets after the New Frequency show:
Daniel Hope made his West End debut in Wicked and several staff at Performers college have already seen him on stage as a member of the ensemble as well as understudy for Boq.
Joseph Fletcher, is a member of the ensemble too. His other theatre parts have included ‘Fred Astaire’ in The Snowman UK Tour and Snow White & the Seven
Dwarfs at the Manchester Opera House.
Oliver Metzler is currently a member of the ensemble in the West End production but was also one of the original cast members in the Wicked UK Tour back in 2011. Oliver has also starred in Singing in the Rain at the Palace Theatre and TV shows include The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing,
The Voice and Lets Dance for Sport Relief to name but a few! Lucky Oliver has even danced for Kylie Minogue, Rhianna, Mike, Coldpay, Jay Z, Jessie J, One Direction, Annie Lennox and Cheryl Cole. When he has time, Oliver also teachers at Performers College!
The Wicked UK Tour has also proved a popular destination for other graduates of Performers College. With Hannah Veerapen and Grant Thresh both in ensemble. Hannah’s other credits have included Hairspray in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, the film ‘Walking on Sunshine’ and a dancer for Olly Murs at the Brit Awards. Grant’s theatre credits include Hooray for Hollywood in Monte Carlo and Mother Goose at the Millfield Theatre as well as TV shows The Royal Variety Performance and The X Factor.
Daniel Joseph
Hannah Grant
Oliver
Performers College three day Easter Event proved to be popular again for 2015. With 61
students aged 11 and upwards attending masterclasses it was a pleasure to share their infectious
enthusiasm. They were delighted to take a Contemporary dance class with Blair Tookey,
American Tap with the toe-tappingly talented Eilidh Ross, Hip-Hop/New Skool with Keeley East
and a brilliant musical theatre piece ‘All that Jazz’ with Head of Singing, Michael Robinson and
Vanessa Leagh-Hicks.
Sandra Madgwick a
member of the Ballet
Faculty at Performers
College had Year 3 students spellbound reminiscing about her
career with the Royal Ballet. Sandra trained at The Royal Ballet
School and was chosen by Sir Frederick Ashton in her graduation
year to dance the lead role in his ballet La Fille Mal Gardee at the
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Her professional career was
with Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) spanning 19 years, with 15
of those years at principal level dancing most of the major roles in
the repertoire, including Swanhilda, Aurora, Juliet and the Sugar
Plum Fairy. Photos depict Sandra dancing Romeo & Juliet with
Michael O’Hare and the other with Sir Frederick Ashton after
dancing in La Fille Mal Gardee. It is a pleasure to have her as part
of our faculty and such an inspiration to our students.
Congratulations to Eilidh Ross, tap tutor and former student at Performers College who is off to Miami, USA at the beginning of July to choreograph two shows for Celebrity Cruises.
Earlier this year Eilidh was delighted to be involved with ‘Springboard 2015’. The ISTD event, held in London celebrated connections across
many dance genres where her tap session, explored rhythm, style and improvisation with a group of students. Springboard allows young teachers to come and be inspired whilst working out of their comfort zone. It also features ground breaking artists showing how they work creatively. Dance students from all over the country attend, taking instruction from various professionals including Flawless, Kate Flatt, Stopgap 2 and Deaf Men Dancing. Dance styles ranged from Classical Indian Dance, Ballroom, Latin and Street Dance to Musical Theatre.
Performers College students; Declan Morgan, Annie Harding, Sarah Brown and Joey Goodwin were visitors on the day and had the opportunity to take her tap class, which was great.
Eilidh was not the only tutor from Performers College sharing their expertise. Contemporary Dance tutor Blair Tookey was also at Springboard with Ava Dance Company where she is a dance artist. Blair shared the company’s creative process with students. Head of Ballet at Performers, Eileen Thorogood demonstrated the subtleties in choice of music for teaching.
The day ended with a grand finale of Thé Dansant hosted by Nick Miles, followed by an evening of conversation and celebrations.
Our latest promotional video was
filmed at the college over two days
in May 2015 by SP Productions.
The video is very professional and has
totally captured the ambience, skills,
talent and dedication of both our college
staff and students. Just visit our website:
www.performerscollege.co.uk and click
‘latest promo video’ at the top of the page.
Recently our Class of 95 held a
reunion in London organised by
Clinton Goldsmith, there must have
been plenty to catch up on!
As the saying goes ‘we are like a
family at Performers College and
friends that dance together, stay
together’ and we love that!
Direct from its tremendous success in London,
winning three Olivier awards for Best New
Musical, Best Choreography, Best Costumes and
the Evening Standard Award for Best Night Out,
this spectacular West End production embarked
on a 47-week UK tour last August. We currently
have three graduates from Performers College in
this production. Alan Burkitt who plays lead
character Jerry Travers, Sam Humphries and Tom
Inge are part of the ensemble. Top Hat brings the
glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the
glorious, tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire and
Ginger Rogers to the stage in one of the greatest dance musicals of all time. Packed full of Irving Berlin’s greatest
hits including, Cheek to Cheek, Top Hat, White Tie & Tails, Let’s Face the Music & Dance and Puttin’ on the Ritz,
Top Hat tells the story of Broadway sensation Jerry Travers who dances his way across Europe to win the heart of
society girl Dale Tremont. An uplifting and hilarious romantic comedy celebrating 1930s song, style and romance,
it just dazzles with over 200 beautiful costumes, breath taking dancing and a love story that will set the pulse
racing! There are only a few dates left on the UK tour in Sunderland, Woking & Eastbourne, thereafter you will
have to travel to Japan to see it!
Congratulations to Performers graduate Tommy
Wade Smith who is heading to the USA to appear in
‘We Will Rock You’. Tommy will soon be treading
the boards on the high seas where he will join the
new Royal Caribbean Quantum Class Cruise ship
‘Anthem of the Seas’. He will be part of the
inaugural cast taking up the position of Dancer/
Vocalist and Understudy for Khashoogi. The private
auditions were held at the Pineapple Dance Studios
in London earlier this year and after several rounds
and call backs he secured his first major role in
musical theatre. Well done!
Graduate Nikki Bentley is currently touring the UK as
Gingy, Sugar Plum Fairy. Other credits since leaving
Performers College are A Tribute to Siegfried and Roy
at the London Palladium, Mamma Mia at the Prince
of Wales Theatre and Spamalot at the Playhouse
Theatre.
Graduate Philip Marriott will be starring as Zeke,
one of the suitors in the musical Seven Brides
for Seven Brothers at the Regents Park Open Air
Theatre this summer from 16th July to 29th
August. This much loved musical includes Bless
Your Beautiful Hide, Goin’ Courtin’, Wonderful,
Wonderful Day and the dance spectacular Barn
Dance. Well done Philip!
Alan
Burkitt
Towards the end
of June we
welcomed Steven
Day, Theatre
Manager at the
Kenneth Moore Theatre in Ilford to Performers
College. Steven auditioned some of our students
for Christmas Panto roles in Snow White & the
Seven Dwarfs and we are currently awaiting call
backs, we aim to bring further news in our next
edition. Congratulations to Ashleigh Graham who
has already secured the coveted role of Snow White.
James Evans,
graduate from
Performers College is
now starring in the
Annie UK Tour
(ensemble) which will
be playing all over the
UK and Europe. He has just finished performing in
Mamma Mia in the West End and other credits
include Danny in Grease - UK Arena Tour, Tony
Manero in Saturday Night Fever for Royal Caribbean
and ensemble in Ha Ha Hackney at the Hackney
Empire.
Performers College graduate Kyle Seeley is currently in the award winning West End musical Memphis alongside Beverley Knight and Killian Donnelly. Kyle is Dance Captain, ensemble and a Beale St. Male.
His other credits include the West End musical The Bodyguard, Hooray for Hollywood in Monte Carlo and Mother Goose at the Millfield Theatre as well as dancing on The X Factor. We will be taking our Summer School students to see Memphis at the end of July and will of course be pointing out Kyle to our budding stars! The Producer of Memphis, John Brant also teaches Acting at Performers College.
Appearing in Panto is a great way for students to experience a live theatre audience
every night for a 4-6 week period and gives invaluable ‘life’ lessons as well as a good
grounding in musical theatre industry. Last year we had current students appearing in
Panto in various parts of the UK and are proud to give you all the details!
Kyle Herbert played Dandini in Cinderella at the Middleton Arena, whilst Isabelle Pardoe
was performing in the same show at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks, Kent alongside well
known TV villains Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den - EastEnders) and Brian Capron (killer Richard
Hillman - Coronation Street) as the ugly sisters.
Ashleigh Graham and Anna Knowles were cast as Fairy Helpers in Sleeping Beauty at The
Muni in Colne, Lancashire.
Ruby Newson appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk starring EasterEnder Steve McFadden at
the Alban Arena in St Albans.
EasterEnder Shane Richie played it for laughs as Dick Whittington at the Wycombe Swan
Theatre with the help of two 3rd Year students; Hannah Bodenham and Stuart Rouse plus
three graduates from Performers College; Josephine Scammell, Laura West and Ellis Harman.
Graduate Ashlee Beare worked alongside John Barrowman in Cinderella at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow.
Not only did we have students in Panto but also nine students helping young children and their families
experience a truly magical Christmas at LaplandUK, the UK’s premier children’s Christmas event which was held at the Crown Estate’s Whitmoor Forest. Well done to Emma Bolton, Frances Dunham. Nicola Arnold, Kayleigh Campling, Elisha Collier, Lily Olpin, Rhian Thomas, Stephanie Walton and Heather Lamb.
Wow - Performers
College currently have
four graduates in the
West End musical
Charlie & the
Chocolate Factory all
playing Oompa—Loompas.
Tara Verloop & Kelly Edwards
Dan Cook & Divine Creswell
We are looking forward to welcoming young
performers to our annual Summer School event at
the end of July. Youngsters ranging from ages 12
to 18 will enjoy dance classes in Classical Ballet,
Jazz/Modern Theatre, Tap, Singing and Acting.
There will also be a meet and greet quiz night,
West End theatre visit, an evening of bowling and
quasar and a student show night, phew! They
may be a little tired but no doubt buzzing with
confidence and excitement by the end of the week.
Congratulations to Performers
College graduate Chris Bailey
who assisted Rob Ashford with
the delightful choreography ‘Stepping Out
With My Baby’, the opening sequence in
the new movie Ted 2. Staged with a tip of
the top hat to Busby Berkeley, a tuxedoed
Ted dances on a giant wedding cake and it
is brilliant!
On Monday 15th June Performers College welcomed back graduate Elliott Nixon, now a renowned choreography together with actress Kathryn Rooney to audition current students for the Christmas Pantomime ‘Cinderella’ to be held at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend from 12th December. It was wonderful to catch up with him and the exciting roles he has played over the years and the shows he is now choreographing, from parts in Grease and Saturday Night Fever to choreographing Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance, Starlight Express and Dance Till Dawn to name but a few! Students enjoyed the audition and several have been offered parts in the production,
names to follow once contracts have been signed!
Performers College, Southend Road, Corringham, Essex, SS17 8JT - 01375 672053 - www.performerscollege.co.uk
Musical Theatre : 3 Year Course
Dance Theatre : 3 Year Course
Pre-Vocational : 1 Year Course
Easter Course
Summer Course
Thursday 12th November 2015
Friday 13th November 2015
Please call to reserve a tour
www.performerscollege.co.uk
Southend Road, Corringham, Essex, SS17 8JT
Courtesy of Fiona Whyte Photography