14 MUSICAL THEATRE Stage school will be reaching for the stars
Kids’ Orlando trip
Stage school kids will reach for the stars when they perform at Universal Studios in Orlando.
Encore Stars Academy – which runs classes in East Kilbride and across South Lanarkshire – will take 12 children along with parents and teachers to the United States for the first time this month.
Youngsters from the town will be among those taking part in the Universal Stars programme where groups have a 30-minute slot to perform on the Lagoon Stage at Universal City Walk.
Encore will perform a parody of The Walking Dead on October 18 in front of thousands of spectators.
There will be singing, dancing and acting – and a couple of the parents will take to the stage in the chorus along with their little ones.
Encore was founded and is run by Allen Hannah.
He opened the musical theatre school in 2013 with sister Kimberley, who has since moved to Spain after securing a professional dance contract – but will join Allen in America to lend a hand.
Parents have been fundraising hard for the trip, with the support of everyone at Encore, who have also raised around £2000.
Allen told the News: “Everyone is so excited as we can’t believe the trip is so close. The only time we have performed out with Scotland was in London so this is by far the biggest thing we will have ever done.
“And the day after the performance at City Walk, the children will take part in a series of workshops with professional, actors, dancers, singers and performers which will be a fantastic experience for them.”
Once they return from Orlando, the group will be busy rehearsing for their panto, Alice in Wonderland, which will run on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18 in the Village Theatre.