Aims of the School
The aim of the Somerset School of Performing Arts
is to give children the chance to learn with fully qualified, specialised teachers, as
many different disciplines relating to the Theatre and Performing Arts as
possible, with the emphasis always being on fun and enjoyment. We hope
that through regular carefully structured workshops, activities, games and
performances the children will gain confidence and learn new skills
which they will be able to use throughout their lives.
The classes at The Somerset School of
Performing Arts are arranged to allow students to work within their own age
group at a suitable level. Each week the students take part in theatre and
street dance/hip hop classes, drama,
singing and voice training lessons with our highly qualified and experienced,
caring professional teachers. Throughout the year we also have visiting staff who give
tuition in other disciplines relating to the Theatre and Performing Arts such as
audition technique, microphone technique, stage make-up, costume and set design,
circus skills etc.
All of our staff concentrate on teaching the students
the correct techniques required to perform without straining or stressing the
voice and body which allows the students to develop and reach their full
potential. Our teachers have many years of experience in the business, they have
worked professionally in West End productions, on tours both in the UK and
abroad, in television series and
documentaries,
in films and in Theatre in Education Programmes.
We maintain that the most
important aspect of all of our classes is the element of fun as this allows the
children to relax; it improves their confidence and allows them to perform to
the best of their ability. We recognise that each child is an individual with
different needs and abilities and we encourage them to develop at their own pace
in a friendly, happy environment.
PRODUCTIONS
Since
the school opened in 1999 the pupils have been given numerous performance
opportunities and have worked with both amateur and professional companies and
directors both locally and nationally.
Throughout
the year the students put on various shows, musicals, plays, pantomimes and
performances which parents, friends and families are invited to watch. Each year
we stage one major production which is performed in a theatre and which raises
money for local charities. Our latest production of the musical Salad Days which
was performed at The Digby Hall, Sherborne in March 2010 raised £570 for the
children's charity Over The Wall which gives holidays to children with life
limiting illnesses. Our next major production will be a 6 show spectacular at
The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil in March 2011
Other
performance highlights have been Scrooge, A Christmas Carol,
Cinderella, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
Beauty and the Beast, Shake Ripple and Roll, The Wizard of Oz, James and The
Giant Peach and Snow White Special.
Each
year students from the school are also given the opportunity to perform at The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil for three weeks with the
cast of professional actors, singers, dancers and musicians in the Christmas
Pantomime
SUCCESSFUL
STUDENTS
Many
students have successfully auditioned and taken part in local amateur and
professional productions both locally and nationally. Students from the school have been awarded drama /
dance / singing scholarships to The
Park School Yeovil, Millfield School Street, Taunton School, Queens College
Taunton, St Anthony’s Leweston and Sherborne School for Girls.
Many
past pupils are now studying at top Theatre
Schools
and Universities whilst others are performing and teaching. Our students have
appeared all over the world including The West End, in Television, in films, in
advertising campaigns. in broadcasting, in promotional work, in pantomimes and summer
seasons and in teaching various Performing Arts subjects. Most recently one of
our 12 year old pupils appeared in a 6 month run of the hit West End musical
Billy Elliot.
We pride ourselves in having highly qualified,
experienced and caring professional teachers who bring out the best in our
students.
If you are interested in specialising in Dance
please visit
www.helenlaxtonschoolofdancing.com
For more information on The Somerset School of Performing Arts
or The Helen Laxton School of
Dance
Telephone - Helen Laxton on 01935 863865
