We are back on 18th September cant wait to see you!

Unique theatre school training in Acting, Singing & Dance

3 specialist tutors

3 hours of learning

A lifetime of transferable skills

Since Footlights' launch in 2005, Lostock Arts College, Stretford has become our most established school, we are currently in our 5th year at Lostock with a superb team of tutors.

Saturday mornings

11.30 - 1pm  (4 - 6yr olds)

9.45 - 1pm  ( 7 – 18yr olds)

Staff

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

Click on the images to view their profiles

Classes

Tiny's (4- 6 yr olds)

Your wonderful, expressive 4 - 6 year olds are introduced to theatre and performing in a safe, fun, energy-driven yet structured way of learning. Each week the Tiny's are taught in all three disciplines -  dance, drama and singing - in bite size chunks of 20 - 25 minutes each. They have a little break in the middle to have a snack and a drink, which the children seem to enjoy as much as the classes! Its their chance to express themselves with each other, identify with their peers and have a good old chit chat (they're like little old men and ladies nattering given half the chance). However, under the close supervision of their tutors they are encouraged to be individual and express them freely in a supportive forum. The tutors spend quality time getting to know the children and plan their sessions according to abilities, learning styles and what that particular group seem to enjoy. Confident in their teaching, the tutors at Footlights aim to let the children perform as often as possible, usually all sharing equal roles to promote teamwork and a sense of camaraderie from a young age. The Tiny’s are always part of the main school shows at Christmas and during the Summer, so you will regularly see your child perform.

Drama (Main school)
Tania has some great ideas in drama and has so far adapted scripts for short films, such as excerpts form Harry Potter and The Wiz, she introduced the children to some great scripts for their Lowry work such as ‘Our Day Out’  by Willy Russell, which she directed. She also directed the children in monologues for The Lowry Theatre and for Lamda exams in which all students passed!  In Drama the children also get the opportunity to discover improvisation, comedy, scriptwriting, mime, verse, tv and film acting and theatre scripts, helping them to become confident well rounded young actors.

Dance (Main school)
Olivia specialises in Streetdance and Contemporary as well as incorporating ballet, jazz, and yoga as part of her lesson planning. Olivia feels that in dance children can learn to move as a form of expression, she encompasses this ethic into her work and the children get many opportunities to do some choreography. 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 (Main school)
Iain specialises in harmony skills in his sessions, and has a great reputation for getting even the shyest children to sing. Iain focuses 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, this super tutor also covers 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.

Facilities
We have superb facilities at Lostock with a professional purpose built theatre, a sprung floor and mirrored dance studio and a carpeted drama studio as well as use of the spacious foyer and reception. We also have excellent parking facilities.

Directions

From M60/J9  take the exit Barton Road, pass the BP garage on your left and keep straight for 3 /4 mile , Turn into Selby Rd on your right and take first left into the large car park.

As you drive into the car park you will see a large school building in front of you , drive into the right hand corner as far as you can.  the large school building should now be on your right, directly in front of you should be one level building and a small open space with trees. Walk past the large building on your right and turn the corner, you will now see double green doors. This is the arts building; you will find us immediately through the green doors.

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. The Right Honourable 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 the 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.