"In a world that can feel very scary and unpredictable, I think its important that we give our children some certainty. "
Heather Gallagher, principal of StageScreen
A part-time drama school has proved that the show DOES go on by enlisting the help of West End stars to provide live virtual training for its young students.
StageScreen, based in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, offers Saturday morning classes in term time for youngsters aged between four and 18.
Founder and principal Heather Gallagher was determined that lockdowns would not stop youngsters having their weekly dose of creativity and performing arts training fun.
She explained: “Last March, when the first lockdown came, we switched immediately to using Zoom to bring our students together for lessons – and we’ve not missed a beat since.
“In a world that can feel very scary and unpredictable, I think it’s important that we give our children some certainty. Whatever else is going on, they know they will see their friends and their teachers on screen every week. Creativity is a real antidote to stress and anxiety. It’s a great way to forget about everything else for a few hours, relax and focus on something you love.”
Zoom workshops with the stars
Heather added: “We have viewed each lockdown as a chance to shine a spotlight on what we CAN do. One thing we realised we COULD do was use technology to bring in performers as guest teachers..”
With help from StageScreen’s patron - Burton-born theatre director and playwright Tom O’Brien - Heather arranged for West End performers to deliver live Zoom workshops. The stars who have taught Burton youngsters and boosted their confidence in this way have included Christina Modestou, who originated the role of Anne Boleyn in the musical Six; Chris Tendai (Hamilton); Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie); Danny Mahoney (Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Florence Foster Jenkins) and Barnaby Thompson (The Lion King).
In the coming weeks there will be a Harry Potter workshop with Jack North, who played the roles of Karl Jenkins, Viktor Krum and Dudley Dursley in the original West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Younger students can look forward to a Peppa Pig workshop with professional performer and choreographer Melanie Clark and a workshop on David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy with actress Emma Matthews.
"It's going to be OK"
Recently the students have faced the disappointment of the postponement of their production of the musical Sister Act Jr. So to cheer them up, Heather has asked stars including Carrie Hope-Fletcher (Les Miserables, Heathers and The Addams Family); Charlie Stemp (Mary Poppins and Half A Sixpence) and Luke Baker (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) to record and send personal video messages in to cheer up the disappointed children and let them know they weren’t alone.
Carrie Hope-Fletcher said: “I am so sorry. I bet you are all absolutely gutted …but it’s going to be OK.”
She added: “I’m sure it won’t be long before you’re all performing together… I completely understand how you feel.”
Luke said: “I don’t want you to worry about it. Everything is going to be fine. I am in the same boat. I want everything to be back to normal as soon as possible.”
He finished by urging the youngsters to stay inspired. The full messages can be watched on the school’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/stagescreenuk
StageScreen is currently offering a free, two-week trial for any new students, and their parents, to experience how the Zoom classes work. Youngsters aged four to 18 get age-appropriate lessons in acting, singing and film work from teachers with professional industry experience.
