Welcome to

Footlights Rossendale

Contact: rossendale@footlightstheatre.co.uk or all Aaron on 07493 622 494.

JOIN THE NORTHWEST’S LEADING STAGE SCHOOL!

Does your child want to learn how to act, sing and dance?
Register now for a FREE TRIAL

Where we are:

We’re based at
Haslingden High School in
Rossendale, BB4 4EY

Your child is welcome for a free trial at anytime, for more information email rossendale@footlightstheatre.co.uk or call Aaron on 07493 622 494.

About Us

The Footlights Head Office is based at Media City in Manchester, just around the corner from the main hub of the BBC & ITV studios. We were established in 2005 by our founder Jo Fisher, a trained actor and teacher, and who continues to have a hands-on role across our stage schools. Read more about Footlights and our history here.

We have robust processes to keep your child safe; all of our staff have DBS status and a trained first aider is always on site at each of our venues. You can read and download our safeguarding policy here.

What are you waiting for?

Book a no-obligation free trial today.

Do you live in or around Rossendale?
If so, does your child…

Love performing & dream of being on the West End stage, on TV or in film?
Want to learn how to act, sing and dance?
Want to meet & make friends with children who share their interests?
Does this sound like your child?

Then Footlights Rossendale is the right place for them!

What to expect?

During your child’s time at Footlights Rossendale, our tutors will mentor them to help them realise their dreams of becoming a performer, by sharing their professional experiences, as well as facilitating and teaching performance techniques.

Footlights delivers quality performing arts training and our aim is to ensure that each child gets the most out of their experience by building their essential life skills and instilling confidence, whilst having lots of fun and meeting new friends. In addition to core performing arts skills, they will:

  • Have confidence when socialising and in nursery or school
  • Be encouraged to talk expressively in a structured, yet exciting forum
  • Be inspired when taking part in discussions
  • Be listened to when building skills in decision making
  • Always be working as part of a team

Their learning will give them the basics and arguably the most important components of the performing arts.

The younger the child is when they take up an activity or interest the better, as in the right environment and with the right teacher they underpin the foundation to their learning and will already have a head-start on their peers.

You will find the Footlights approach friendly and energetic. We pride ourselves on inclusivity and being an encouraging company for your child to thrive in acting, singing and dance. We have superb progression rates from our schools, with the majority of our young students going onto performing arts colleges and drama schools.

We know you want to find the right balance between ensuring your child gets a good performing arts education, has fun and at the same time keeps up with their important mainstream education. We understand this, so this is why our method to developing your child’s Acting, Singing and Dancing will complement their academic studies. Plus, at Footlights, your child will benefit from the opportunity to take internationally recognised examinations through LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts).

There is also the option for students to audition for professional work in film, theatre and modelling via our agency, Footlights Personal Management (our recent successes include Game of Thrones and the CBBC series ‘KATY’).

Book a free trial today at Footlights Rossendale and see for yourself.

Want to know more? Why not take a look at our FAQ’s

Shows

Each summer, all of our children take part in a performance. It’s a full-scale show where parents/carers, family and friends can come and watch their progress.

The Autumn/Winter and Spring term schedules focus much more on skills and technique with a shorter informal presentation at Christmas.

The teaching teams provide written feedback each Easter, so you can track your child’s progress. We also practice an open door policy for anytime that you wish to discuss your child’s progress. You can use this form to contact us, or speak to us directly.

We hope you enjoyed reading all about us and look forward to greeting you and your child at our school – just sign up here or message us.

Exams

We offer both Arts Award and LAMDA exams – find out more via your school

Class Timetable

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Saturday

Wednesday

Monday

Friday

Saturday

Wednesday

Saturday

No timetable events available!

Our Staff

Aaron Doherty

Director
Read Bio
Aaron is a wonderful inspiration to young people. Over 8 years ago his younger siblings went along to a Footlights school for a free trial and after watching their journey and seeing what the school was doing for their social and creative skills, he was hooked. Since then Aaron have fully immersed himself into Footlights. Aaron thinks it’s incredibly important to have such a reputable award-winning company behind you to help you build a successful business and in 2020 went on to win two awards himself at the prestigious ‘British Franchise Association’

Aaron is so passionate about seeing children thrive in a creative setting and giving young people of the community as many opportunities as possible. He is incredibly excited to see how Footlights Accrington will  transform your child.

Jack Tubb

Co Director
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I am so proud of all our wonderful students at Footlights Rossendale,  Although originally from Essex I now have family members who live around the Rossendale/Lancashire area and and i just love the North, the friendliness of the people and of course all their wonderful children and teenagers. I love the weekly classes we offer and am astonished at how fast a child can progress with us, but  my first love is the shows and seeing their excitement on stage!

Katie Hopwood

Acting Tutor
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Katie started acting at the age of 8 and continued to progress throughout her academic career. Katie has recently graduated from the University of Leeds with a first-class degree in Theatre and Performance and is currently undergoing the training for her PGCE in Secondary Education. She has been involved in many professional shows during her time at University as company manager and director.

Katie has a passion for both theatre and helping children to grow and achieve their full potential. She believes that building the children’s confidence in themselves and their ability is key. Drama is the best way to express yourselves and her classroom will always allow for this to be done in a safe and meaningful way.

During Acting your child will learn improvisation, script reading, character analysis, explore new plays, learn about tv and film acting, all within a safe, fun environment. Acting class creates a place where your child can express themselves freely and we will ensure encourage them to be their best self, drawing on their existing skills and teaching them new ones so they can reach their full potential.

Ollie Lambert

Singing Tutor
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Ollie Lambert is a Manchester-based musician and graduate of The Royal Northern College of Music. Ollie has performed as a vocalist all his life, from his childhood experiences as a chorister of Canterbury Cathedral, to his more recent performances as a member of The Hallé Choir. As well as singing, Ollie has worked with vocalists as a composer, arranger, and educator. Ollie can tailor vocal sessions to your child’s requirements, whether they’re preparing for an audition, developing your technique or never sung before.

In our singing classes, your child will learn how to warm up their vocal chords, how to use their bodies to create the best sound, they will learn breath control, how to support their voice and how to sustain it. We’ll train them to sing in harmonies, a group as well, or in a duet. They will learn about composers from Musical Theatre, as well as sing pop songs. In class, we also encourage them to sight read and recognise terminology. All this is done in a safe environment where they will learn to relax so the voice can sing – we can’t wait to hear them!

Lauren Ward

Dance Tutor
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Lauren trained in performing arts at Bury college gaining a triple distinction. Lauren then went on to train professionally at the prestigious Phil Winston’s Theatreworks in Blackpool where she specialised in ballet, tap, modern jazz, street dance, contemporary and commercial. She also gained 2 IDTA Associate teaching qualifications and an IDTA Anatomy and Physiology diploma.

After completing her training Lauren went on to work as a professional dancer in Cyprus and Crete performing in shows in 5 star hotels. Lauren has also performed in pantomimes, tribute shows and a magic show both in the UK and China.

Lauren loves to dance and loves passing her passion, experience and industry knowledge onto the next generation of dancing talent.

Tony George

3yrs – 6yrs Tiny’s
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Tony has extensive experience both in the performing arts sector and education. Tony has toured with children’s theatre companies across the UK, presented in a line of nationally acclaimed children’s nursery rhyme DVDs and appeared in off-west end musicals. He has written and directed shows for both adults and children and delivered youth workshops and drama classes to children across all ages. Tony’s passion to teach will bring your child’s confidence to life. His method of teaching in Tinies goes beyond the teaching of the three main disciplines. Every moment of his sessions from walking to the classroom to snack time is an immersive experience. He believes in nurturing a child’s self-esteem, developing their communication skills in listening and speaking and enabling them to develop social skills by interacting with children their own age in a fun and creative environment. All of these areas of learning are integral to a child’s development in early years and provides a platform for further learning in other subject areas. Tony aims to give children the opportunity to express their ideas and thoughts and strives to have every child leave his class with a smile on their face.

The Tiny’s concept is to prepare your child for main school. By the time that they leave the Tiny’s group, your child will be ahead of most 7 year olds who are new to performing arts. Our passion to teach will bring your child’s confidence to life.

Amy Green

Acting Tutor
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Monday night Acting School Tutor

Amy started performing at the age of 6, and has continued to perform and teach alongside her studies, whilst also helping with shows at her theatre groups and in the community. Amy went on to study drama at Edge Hill University, specialising in actor training, performance, running group workshops, and graduated with a First Class degree.

Amy has a lot of passion for drama, and therefore loves to teach children, to help improve their acting whilst also building their confidence to help them blossom. She thrives on devising theatre with students, whilst introducing them to a variety of theatre styles and practitioners. Amy loves to see the children improve weekly and share her passion for drama.

During Acting your child will learn improvisation, script reading, character analysis, explore new plays, learn about tv and film acting, all within a safe, fun environment. Acting class creates a place where your child can express themselves freely and we will ensure encourage them to be their best self, drawing on their existing skills and teaching them new ones so they can reach their full potential.

Katie Kendall

Acting Tutor
Read Bio
Monday night Acting School Tutor

Katie has been a part of Footlights since 2019 and, since then, has carried out a variety of roles within the team, including Teaching, Administration, Front of House and Social Media & Marketing.
Katie found her passion for Drama when she was 17 and began studying Performing Arts. She received Triple Distinction on her course which led her on to study a Degree.
Katie graduated with a First-Class Honours Degree in Community Theatre and Performance, then decided she wanted to teach and so completed a PGCE in Further Education. She also has industry experience of performing onstage in Manchester, back in 2013, and carrying out the role of a Supporting Artist on popular TV Dramas, such as BBC’s “Traces.”

Katie brings with her years of hands-on experience, as well as being qualified to a high academic level. She takes a nurtured approach to teaching her students, by getting to know them and working with their ideas to enhance their creativity and performance skills. Katie is very passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives by using Theatre as a tool for intervention.

During Acting your child will learn improvisation, script reading, character analysis, explore new plays, learn about tv and film acting, all within a safe, fun environment. Acting class creates a place where your child can express themselves freely and we will ensure encourage them to be their best self, drawing on their existing skills and teaching them new ones so they can reach their full potential.

Lewis Webster

Acting Tutor (TV & Screen)
Read Bio
Monday night Acting School Tutor

Lewis is a professional actor and graduate of Arts Educational Schools London. Since graduating he has worked consistently as an actor around the world in different productions and companies such as Coronation Street, Mamma Mia, Disney and Royal Caribbean International.

From his career Lewis is very confident and passionate about passing on his professional performing experiences to the Footlights students, weather that’s script work, TV tech, song or monologue workshops right up to audition prep for colleges and professional acting auditions.

During Acting your child will learn improvisation, script reading, character analysis, explore new plays, learn about tv and film acting, all within a safe, fun environment. Acting class creates a place where your child can express themselves freely and we will ensure encourage them to be their best self, drawing on their existing skills and teaching them new ones so they can reach their full potential.

Jessica Doherty

3yrs – 6yrs Tiny’s
Read Bio
Tiny’s Wednesday Tutor

Jessica started as a student-teacher at the age of 14 and has since learnt and grown into teaching classes as the main teacher and works with her own student teachers to get the best results possible out of all her students. Jessica started training at footlights at the age of 10 and one day hopes to own her footlights. Due to being trained by footlights teachers, she understands what it means to be part of the footlights family and how we value each child that walks through our doors. Jessica believes that her greatest assets are her passion, determination and sheer devotion to her job. She believes that with hard work, a positive attitude and teamwork that all footlights will thrive in not only the three disciplines we teach here at footlights but also the transferable life skills you learn while being a student here.

The Tiny’s concept is to prepare your child for main school. By the time that they leave the Tiny’s group, your child will be ahead of most 7 year olds who are new to performing arts. Our passion to teach will bring your child’s confidence to life.

Rebecca Fearnley

Acting Tutor
Read Bio
Adult Acting Tutor

Rebecca has been acting professionally for 22 years, and directing theatre for 10 years. Her Footlights journey as a teacher started in 2013, she now has her own Footlights franchise in Huddersfield. Rebecca teaches drama, directing, scriptwriting, stand up comedy, comedy improvisation and every style of acting on the planet, from absolute beginners, all the way up to seasoned industry professionals.

Aaron and his team are absolutely amazing… I really can’t praise them enough. My daughter has extremely high social anxiety and is a recluse in most things. So we started off with 6 weeks of 1:1 sessions with the amazing Amy and then she moved into the group in Haslingden on a Monday night. Since then she has come on leaps and bounds with her acting and is now acting as a student teacher with Amy for this groups performance in the autumn term. Aaron and his team are simply outstanding and will always have my deepest regards and praise. Thank you guys, your rock!!

Carol Tennant Smith

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