News
BALLET CLASSES
September 2009 will see the launch of our long-anticipated Ballet classes. We'll be teaching fun and imaginative Pre-school classes, RAD Pre Primary, RAD Primary and RAD Grade 1 classes. with higher grades to come as demand grows and the school expands. Classes will be held each Tuesday during term time at the recently renovated Memorial Hall in Great Linford and will follow the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus.
For futher details, click here...
7th September 2009
MAMMA MANIA! COMES TO MK
Children and parents of CentreStage Theatre School MK were treated to a fABBAulous day of fun with stars of the hit musical Mamma Mia! last week when they attended a workshop featuring songs and choreography from the West End show.
Tim Stanley, Assistant Choreographer of Mamma Mia! the Movie and Associate Choreographer of both the International Tour and the London productions was assisted by Nicola Wilson, currently in the West End Show and Toby Higgins, Assistant Musical Director of the International Tour to teach the delighted attendees songs and dance steps which feature in the show.
Said Anthea Farrow, one of the adult participants whose two children also took part "My whole family had a fabulous time and it was the highlight of my year!". Whilst another happy participant Emma Ackroyd said "Thank you for a fun and challenging day, Beth and I had a lovely time. I've a new found respect for the professionals now, although we had very good teachers who broke it down and made it seem easy".
The Co-Principal of CentreStage Theatre School MK, Peter Addis, who spent over seven years as the London Associate Director of Mamma Mia! said "At CentreStage we always strive to bring the cream of the crop from the performing arts industry to Milton Keynes and give local children, and in this case their parents too, the chance to experience the thrill of learning the performing arts from those at the very top of the profession. I'm fortunate to have made a lot of good friends in the industry who are incredibly supportive of us here at CentreStage and we're extremely grateful to Tim, Toby and Nicky for giving up so much of their time to give us all such a wonderful experience".
Applications are now being accepted for our September intake. For more details about the school and future workshops, or for an application pack email enquiries@centrestagemk.co.uk or call 01908 242649.
CENTERSTAGERS FLY TO PETER PAN SUCCESS
Pupils at CentreStage Theatre School MK shout a big "Well done!" to class-mates Joe Taylor and Kelsey Williams who have been selected to star as two of the Lost Boys, Curly and Jib respectively, in Peter Pan at Milton Keynes Theatre this Christmas. Said Kelsey (11) "the audition was fun, but I was a bit nervous when we were put into two groups and I didn't know if I had been chosen or not". Joe (also 11), who recently starred as Oliver Warbucks in CentreStage's production of Annie added "I've always wanted to be a professional actor so this is a dream come true and it's cool that we get to be on stage with the Fonze. I'm a bit too young to remember Happy Days, but my parents have told me all about it".
Peter Addis, Principal of CentreStage Theatre School said "We're thrilled that two of our pupils have done so well at their first professional audition and we are very proud of their success. Our new afternoon school is about to open here at CentreStage, so if there are any other budding performers out there interested in coming along to join the fun, please contact us now on 01908 242649".
HALF TERM GREASE THE MUSICAL WORKSHOP
CentreStage Theatre School MK announce their next West End Musical Theatre Workshop. Be a T Bird or a Pink Lady for a day. A day's workshop run by the former Associate Director & Choreographer of the West End production, culminating with a performance to friends and family.
- Tuesday 19th February 2008
- Ages: 10-18
- Venue: The Hazeley School MK
- Price: £40
- Run by former Associate Director & Choreographer of the West End Production
- A whole day of Rydell Highs!
- Open to all
- Limited availability
For more details, or to apply for a place please email enquiries@centrestagemk.co.uk or call 01908 242649.
1st February 2008
HALF TERM CATS WORKSHOP
CentreStage Theatre School MK are proud to announce their first West End Musical Theatre Workshop. Create your own Jellicle Cat with make-up, movement and choreography from the world's most famous musical!
- Tuesday 23rd October 2007
- Ages: 7- 11 or 12-18
- Venue: The Hazeley School MK
- Price: £15
- Run by ex West-End Cast Member
- 3 hours of Jellicle fun
- Open to all
- Limited availability
For more details, or to apply for a place please email enquiries@centrestagemk.co.uk or call 01908 242649.
CENTRESTAGE PRESS LAUNCH
CentreStage Theatre School MK had a very successful launch at Milton Keynes Theatre recently.
The West End Stars came out in force to support us, including a magical nanny and a green witch! They were in fact our first ever patron Scarlett Strallen, currently playing the title role in Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre and Shona White, alternate Elpheba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.
A host of other pals: Tasha Sheridan, Nia Fisher and Lucy Harris, all from Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales, also turned out and even a Hobbit from Lord of the Rings in the shape of Ben Evans!
A great contingent of youngsters also joined us, to whom we were very grateful. Ranging in age from five to fifteen, they donned their CentreStage MK T Shirts and seemed to have a great time being put through their dance paces by Nia as they posed for the cameras.
We managed to make it on to BBC Look East that evening, as well as Horizon and BBC Three Counties radio stations. Articles such as the one below appeared in MK's local newspapers and web information sites. Please click on the links to the right to see further examples.
MARY POPPINS FLIES IN FOR LAUNCH OF NEW THEATRE SCHOOL IN MK
A West End theatre director officially opened Centre Stage, a new weekend performing arts school, in Milton Keynes yesterday.
A host of West End celebrities took a break from their London shows to celebrate the launch of the new CentreStage Theatre School MK on July 9th at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Founder Peter Addis, former London Associate Director of the hit musical Mamma Mia! invited his friends and colleagues from the West End to the launch of his new school, amongst them Scarlett Strallen, (who is currently making national headlines in the title role of Mary Poppins), Tasha Sheridan (Sophie in Mamma Mia!) and Shona White (Alternate Elphaba in Wicked).
Scarlett Strallen became the first patron of CentreStage. She said: "I'm delighted to be supporting Peter's new school. He's a fantastic teacher and director."
Tasha Sheridan who was taught drama skills by Peter at London's prestigious Arts Educational School added: "I owe him so much for his input into my career over the years. CentreStage will be a huge success with such exceptional talent behind it."
The West End stars will be returning to the school on a regular basis as guest teachers providing coaching workshops for the students.
CentreStage is pleased to announce that it will be a new school of excellence in brand new surroundings, since the state of the art Hazeley School is to be the venue it will operate from every Saturday morning from September, catering for children aged 4 -18.
It will focus on musical theatre and offer professional coaching in singing, dancing and acting.
Said Peter, who will run the school with his wife Jacqueline, herself a former professional actress and dancer: "The school is about giving children of all abilities access to the best tutoring at an affordable price. As with every profession, success comes with knowledge. Our students will benefit by learning from the top performers and teachers in the industry passing on their knowledge and experience and thus encouraging new talent to blossom. Promising students can progress to have specialist advanced tuition as we will want to nurture and develop their abilities."
He added: "Most importantly, the school is about confidence building and gaining life skills which can be transferred into every aspect of a child's life. Above all we want our students to have fun and enjoy their achievements."
As well as directing West End shows Peter has been a teacher at the Arts Educational School, Guildford School of Acting and Midlands Academy.
For information or an application pack visit www.centrestagemk.co.uk or telephone Peter and Jacqueline on 01908 242649.
10th July 2007