Footlights in Bolton

Sharples School, Hill Cot House, Hill Cot Road, Sharples, Bolton, BL1 8SN

Contact	Lisa Donnelly
	01204 475 052
	07773 183999

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Unique theatre school training in Acting, Singing & Dance - 4 specialist tutors - 3 hours of learning - A lifetime of transferable skills

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Introduction

During your Childs time at Footlights, our tutors will mentor them to increase confidence by sharing their professional experiences as well as honing performance techniques. We know you will want to find the right balance between ensuring your child gets a good performing arts education, has fun and keeps up with their academic studies, which is why your childs skills of Acting, Singing and Dancing will compliment their academic studies plus, at Footlights your child will benefit from the opportunity to take internationally recognised examinations through LAMDA.

Footlights delivers quality performance arts training and aims to ensure that each child gets the most out of their experience by building upon essential life skills and instilling confidence whilst having lots of fun and meeting new friends. There is also the option for students to audition for professional work in film, theatre and modeling via The Footlights Casting Agency. Book a free trial today and come down and see for yourself.

Footlights in Bolton is run by Lisa Donnelly. Lisa was the parent of a student at Footlights in Worsley, but wanted to get more involved after seeing her daughter’s confidence grow from the fun learning style Footlights creates. Lisa’s main job is in education which added to her desire to offer the Footlights experience to children and parents in Bolton.

Lisa's staff are recruited on expertise and experience, are all trained and hold current enhanced CRB's. Most of our team work in the performing arts industry and come to us highly recommended. The directors of all the Footlights schools have regular meetings to plan, prepare and update on childrens' needs and ways of learning to help us promote inclusivity and 'every child matters' policy. They also discuss shows, exams, opportunities and evaluate progress and action plan for improvements to the service we offer.

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Class Times

Saturday mornings

4 - 6 yr olds - 10.am- 11.30am Tinys

7 - 18yr olds - 9.45 - 1pm Main School

Main school

Children aged between 7 -18yr are split into 3 age groups -

Footlights 1 (7-9yr olds)

Footlights 2 (10 -12 yr olds)

Footlights 3 (13-18yr olds)

The main school children will join in a group warm up from 9.45am – 10am then at 10am will be split into their age groups (as above) and rotate between 3 tutors in all 3 disciplines of dance, drama and singing.

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Drama

Dawn MGuire will use her performing arts and teaching qualifications along side her 12 years performing arts experience to teach to the best of her ability. Performing arts has always been a huge part of Dawn’s life. In her drama lessons Dawn will teach, the rules of performing, improvisation, script work, devised pieces, monologues, duologues , comedy, emotional memory, visual arts, realism and surrealism. Dawn will take every child’s needs into consideration, to make sure they get the best out of their drama experience, whether it be to help build confidence or to learn how to be confident versatile performer.

Dance

Sophie specialises in different aspects of dance incorporating ballet, jazz, and yoga as part of her lesson planning. Dance can be used in so many different ways we feel that dance not only teaches skills but can also be used as a form of expression. Dance can be empowering, creative and above all fun! Dance brings people together but can also be a fantastic form of exercise. It encompasses cardio vascular practices as well as increasing coordination, balance, flexibility and strength. Also there are so many forms of dance to explore and identify making it inclusive of all cultures, times and bodies.

Singing

Mark will work with all aspects of the voice and even the shyest children will be singing by the end of the session. Mark will focus on both solo singing and group singing and always encourages everybody to sing in front of each other as it helps to build confidence. The children have the opportunity to learn different musical styles within pop and musical theatre. It doesn’t stop there; Mark will also cover music theory and musical staging in his lessons. Breathing technique and how to support the sound correctly is also in the curriculum. Finally (and more importantly) the children have fun and have a great time singing.

Tiny's (3- 6 yr olds)

10am - 11.30am (4 - 6yr olds)

Amy has had extensive teaching experience for all ages, including specialist training in Performing Arts education for Toddlers, and hopes to combine this with an extensive knowledge of Performing Arts to achieve exciting goals with her young students! The 'Tinies' will receive structured tuition each weekend in manageable 25 minute 'sessions' followed by short breaks in:
Acting - Learning improvisation skills, expression techniques, mime and basic script work through fun activities, games and class performances. Amy believes that drama is a subject that is accesible to all children, and works hard to take an interest in each and every student working on their personal strengths and weaknesses, and bringing them 'out of their shell'!
Singing - Each singing 'session' will begin with a vocal warm-up focusing on teaching children correct breathing technique from an early age, strengthening vocal range, and working on projection. The children learn a variety of songs including Disney hits, musicals and some pop songs working towards independant, confident performance skills - there really is something for everyone!
Dance - Amy will teach a variety of dance styles including ballet, jazz and more contemporary styles such as street and hip-hop in small, 'bite-size' choreography pieces! Particular attention will be paid to educating your 'Tiny's in correct warm-up techniques (to avoid bumps and bruises the next day!), stretching and flexibility exercises, and simple yoga for relaxation and core strength. Dance is a fun, interactive activity for all children (and abilities!) and Amy hopes to provide a solid technique basis for the children to progress from to prepare for the Footlights main school. The 'Tiny's will be included in major performances throughout the year alongside the Footlights main school students and frequently take part in class performances to build confidence and experience.

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History

We started in Stretford in very humble beginnings at Stretford Grammar school in 2004. We soon built up an excellent reputation and moved to better facilities and more room to Lostock Arts College. We are currently in our 5th Year at Lostock Arts College, with a roll of over 70 children. We try not to turn anyone away, however places are limited so we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. We have had massive successes over the past 4 years producing some fantastic performances at festivals, theatres, as well as charity events and many of our students have also appeared on screen too. Baroness Beverley Hughes (recent Minister for Children) commended us in the House of Commons for our work with special needs children.

Achievements

We have had so many great experiences over the past years, with many of our children appearing on tv , some have even appeared in film, one child even got to star with Johny Vegas! Our successes are many and we do strive to keep everyone updated in our latest new section, however the best way to get a full view on the school is to subscribe to our FREE newsletter. In July 2009 about 200 of our children and young people performed at the renowned 'Lowry Theatre' where they raised £750 for a local cancer charity. We also achieved 100% pass rate in our first year entering the prestigious LAMDA examinations, where one of our groups Footlights 1 (aged 6-8yr olds) all received Distinctions in musical theatre.