HOW CAN YOUR CHILD TAKE CENTRE STAGE?
THE PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMIES THAT COULD BE THE FIRST BIG STEP
MANCHESTER is a TV powerhouse.
Loads of shows are filmed and produced here, and the city has created a cluster of stars – people who have enjoyed success not just on the national stage, but also in Hollywood.
Acting, of course, isn’t all glitz and glamour – it can be a very precarious profession. But long-running parts in soaps have given life-long, lucrative careers to a lucky, talented few, as well as providing a springboard to other roles for plenty of others.
So how does a talented kid break into the business? And what do Manchester’s star-makers – agents, acting coaches and fame schools – look for?
We’ve asked people in the business what it takes. And while looking at acting schools in Greater Manchester, we’ve looked at affordable ways that your child can get a first taste of performing arts in the community.
Coronation Street’s fame factory Coronation Street is obviously a big employer of local talent. And a good number of Corrie’s regulars cut their teeth at Oldham Theatre Workshop, including Suranne Jones, Antony Cotton, Michael le Vell, Sally Ann Matthews and Alan Halsall.
OTW, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, provides workshops in acting, dancing, design, improvisation and singing to young people aged six to 25, as well as opportunities to feature in theatre productions.
Publicly run, there’s no need to audition and it’s open to kids from all areas, although those in the Oldham postcode receive a subsidy from Oldham Council.
For details on various courses, visit oldhamtheatreworkshop.co.uk.
Acting’s Sir Alex Ferguson David Johnson has been in the business a long time. He gave the late Anne Kirkbride – Coronation Street’s Deirdre Barlow – her big break, casting her as the lead in kitchen sink drama A Taste of Honey.
It was in that role that she was talentspotted by Coronation Street bosses.
“She was on stage and the line was ‘hatching plots’ but she said ‘plotting hats,’” recalled David. “There was a split second and then she carried on with such aplomb, I thought, ‘this girl has got something.’”
David now runs David Johnson Drama, which has BAFTA, Olivier, Golden Globe and Tony winning alumni, and there isn’t a day of the year in British television without one of his students appearing on screen.
Based on Fennel Street in Manchester city centre, enrolment is £40 a month, for two classes a week – following free taster sessions. “We work with ten different acting agencies who visit our sessions, and also have visits from casting directors,” said David.
Visit davidjohnsondrama.co.uk
What are the signs of performing potential? “What makes a good child actor is someone who is versatile and the ability to speak to adults,” said Lauren Shippey.
She set up 13 Performing Arts School with her ex partner, Coronation Street actor Jack P. Shepherd, in 2013, because they couldn’t find anywhere else they liked to send their daughter.
“We both went to drama school and realised there wasn’t anywhere around with the same values,” said Lauren.
Based at Holy Rood Church in Swinton, Lauren’s team, including Ackley Bridge actor Freddie Bolt, teach drama, singing, performing arts, singing and speech and drama on Saturdays, with acting for the camera classes on Thursdays for three to 17-year-olds.
Lauren has also launched the casting agency Red 13 Management.
Visit red13management.com email info@red13management.com or call 0161 413 6301.
What do agents look for when scouting acting hopefuls? For the last 20 years, talent agency Scream Management has represented young actors – supplying actors for TV, film, adverts, voice-overs and theatre work.
Jess Bell, from Scream, said: “We look out for discipline and wanting it. You could be up for a Disney film or a gritty Coronation Street role, so you’ve got to have an open mind.
“And it helps if you have other hobbies and skills and brush up on your accents, whether it’s London or American. Watch as much as you can and read as much as you can.”
Based at MediaCityUK, Scream discovered Corrie’s award-winning actress Lucy Fallon.
Scream also teaches signing, dance and drama for six to 19-year-olds at Oasis Academy MediaCityUK every Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
Visit screammanagement.com, contact info@screammanagement.com or call 0161 850 1994.
The soap star priming the next generation
Faye Brookes, who plays Kate Connor in Coronation Street, is the principal of Fates Academy performing arts school, which teaches drama, dancing and singing at UTC Media City college on Tuesday evenings.
“At Fates we think it’s better to have more strings to your bow. The more strings you have the more you are indispensable,” said Faye, from Flixton, who started out in musical theatre, playing the role of leading lady Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical.
Fates Academy is for five to 18-yearolds, split into three different groups, teaching drama, dancing and singing.
Training is £120 for nine sessions at fatesacademy.com. Call 07393 585331 or email info@fatesacademy.com More channels means more opportunities
Hollyoaks and I’m A Celebrity star Jamie Lomas runs the First Take School of Acting at the Sharp Project alongside his acting agency JLA Talent Group.
First Take has launched classes for children aged six to 13 after hosting classes for adults that have been full to capacity, acting as a ‘one-stop’ shop for budding actors, they say.
“What we’re doing is giving them the first taste of the industry because that’s missing,” said Anthony Crank, who has appeared in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.
“We’re giving them the opportunity to train, but train with the notion of taking it up as a career.
“It’s not about discovering stars it’s about giving them the tools so they can go out there and treat this seriously.
“We’re big on play, creativity and imagination,” he added. Fees for classes are £65 a month, providing a two-hour weekly session. Contact info@firsttakesschoolofacting.com or call 0161 850 2751. Visit firsttakeschoolofacting.com Performing arts help create ‘confident successful adults’
Manchester actress Sarah Byrne, who was a contestant on this year’s The Apprentice, runs the Sarah Byrne Acting Academy, teaching dance and acting to four to 17-year-olds.
She told us she is launching a new campaign to give all children in Greater Manchester the opportunity to have one free acting class – taught by her.
The former Shameless actress and her team launched ‘The Big Act’ campaign after learning of performing arts being scrapped from schools as a result of cuts.
Email Sarah at academy@sarahbyrne.net or go to sarahbyrneactingacademy.co.uk to book a free class. Treading the boards with Tina O’Brien - and her talented daughter
Tina O’Brien, who has played Corrie’s Sarah Platt since 1999, started The Drama MOB for budding actors and actresses with her teacher friend, Esther Morgan in 2013.
Skills learned by the youngsters at the school have seen them win professional roles on TV dramas, advertisements and in theatre.
The Drama MOB represents child actors through its casting agency Drama MOB Management.
Tina’s daughter Scarlett attends acting classes with her mum and was named the face of Boohoo’s kids clothing line.
Classes, for four-to-six-year-olds and seven-to-16-year-olds are held at the Old Parsonage in Didsbury and Northenden Social Club. For more info visit thedramamob.com or call 07971159097 to book.