In the Spotlight

What do you enjoy most about teaching theatre and performance to kids?

Seeing students grow and develop as performers as well as people; when they take their bows at the end of a show, seeing their beaming face is just joyous! It’s also wonderful to see some of our former students now in their 20s and 30s still staying connected.

Is the emphasis mostly on acting at Centre Stage?

We provide two pathways to cater for every child. The creative pathway emphasises creativity – the process as opposed to performance. The life skills acquired here – from social and emotional skills to communication and collaboration – are valuable to everyone. With the performance pathway, we teach the craft of acting (to both children and adults) – the skills needed to compete in the world of theatre, film and TV.

What's a recent role you've enjoyed in a Centre Stage production?

I was the Queen in Jack and The Beanstalk in our last annual Christmas show. It was fun juggling the role while supporting the 120 child performers who appeared in the production!

We chat with ALISON TOMPKINS, a long-term expat and the co-founder of Centre Stage School of the Arts.

What are you looking forward to at Centre Stage in 2022?

The opportunity to resume performances again with fewer restrictions, and to welcome visiting artists back to perform and provide specialised workshops. Community is at the heart of Centre Stage, so we’d love to restore the buzz that makes it such a fun place to belong to. We were due to celebrate our 20th year anniversary when COVID struck, so I’m looking forward to start the planning for the 25th year of ≠=Centre Stage instead!

• Portsdown Road: Block 15 Woking Road • East: #01-32 Laguna Park, 5000G

Marine Parade Road centre-stage.com