Take the Stage
Cliffs Pavilion
Sunday 2nd July 2017
Cliffs Pavilion
Sunday 2nd July 2017
An extravaganza of dance and musical theatre, showcasing the very best young performers Essex has to offer, will come to the Cliffs Pavilion in July – giving over 300 talented young people the chance to perform at this prestigious
professional venue.
‘Take the Stage’ marks the inaugural performance from the production company of the same name, created by local actress and TV presenter Amy Burrows. Having grown up in Southend, Amy, from Thorpe Bay, has first-hand experience of how performing at nationally recognised venues – such as the Cliffs Pavilion – can have such a significant impact on young performers.
“I loved performing locally right through my childhood, and took every opportunity to get on stage – whether that was in pantomimes, amateur dramatics, or speech and drama festivals,” recalls Amy.
“I passionately believe that children should have the chance to get up and perform, as the discipline, confidence, teamwork and performance skills you learn in a professional theatre really do stay with you forever.”
As a result of her experiences, Amy created her production company in 2016 to bridge the gap between young performers and otherwise inaccessible venues. And, with the ultimate aim of allowing the talent of tomorrow to ‘take the stage’, she had no difficulty in deciding on a name!
Given Take the Stage’s local roots, there could not be a more apt venue for its launch performance than Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion, and preparations are already well underway. Scheduled to take place on Sunday 2nd July at 7.30pm, ‘Take the Stage’ will feature singing and dancing from performers aged 6-18, representing some of Essex’s most esteemed performing arts schools:
Junior Performers
Roydon Academy
Leonard Dance Academy
Morgan Academy of Performing Arts
Junior Master
Bailar Dance
Fusion Performers Dance Company
Fusion Performers Musical Theatre Company
Razzamatazz Theatre School Rayleigh West
The Cliffs Pavilion welcomes national touring musicals every year, and has hosted a prestigious roster of world-famous musicians, bands and comedians, including Paul McCartney, One Direction and Oasis. And now ‘Take the Stage’ will allow potential stars of the future to add their names to the list.
One such performer is Henry Woods, who trains at the Morgan Academy of Performing Arts in Leigh-on-Sea.
“This is a really exciting opportunity, as not many people get the chance to perform at the Cliffs, especially at our ages,” he says. “I’m really looking forward to sharing the stage with so many other young performers!”
Laura Burrows, Principal and Owner of Fusion Performers in Billericay, has over 50 students taking part on 2nd July, and fully appreciates the opportunity ‘Take the Stage’ will give her young performers.
“As a school, we are always seeking performance opportunities for our students and normally have to travel to London for this. It’s amazing to finally see a production company offering this opportunity locally.”
Indeed, one of the key barriers which traditionally prevents local schools from organising such performances is the financial strain it can put on the school itself, as well as the parents of performers. From the pressure of selling enough tickets to fill a large venue to the financial outlay of travelling up to London or organising coaches, it is easy to see why the opportunity for local schools to perform at
professional venues is such a rare one.
‘Take the Stage’ will instead take that pressure away from the teachers and performers, giving them the chance to focus fully on the creative aspect of the event. In fact, interest from local schools has been so high, Take the Stage has already booked the date for a second performance at the Cliffs Pavilion on July 8th 2018, and is looking for performers who want to be involved.
As well as featuring each performing arts school individually, this year’s ‘Take the Stage’ will close with a grand finale of all performers, choreographed by Sallie Warrington, whose direction and choreography is sought after throughout the UK.
This chance for performers from different schools to work together also brings a unique social aspect to ‘Take the Stage’. As Abi Leonard, Principal and Owner of Leonard Dance Academy in Rayleigh, says, “It’s not only a brilliant opportunity that
I’m sure the students will remember forever; it is also a time where students will build friendships and make some amazing memories.”
To find out more about Take the Stage and its first ever performance at 7:30pm,
Sunday 2nd July, visit the company’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/takethestageuk/.
Alternatively, tickets can be booked from the Cliffs Pavilion Box
Office (01702 351135 or www.southendtheatres.org.uk) and are priced £21-£23.50.
professional venue.
‘Take the Stage’ marks the inaugural performance from the production company of the same name, created by local actress and TV presenter Amy Burrows. Having grown up in Southend, Amy, from Thorpe Bay, has first-hand experience of how performing at nationally recognised venues – such as the Cliffs Pavilion – can have such a significant impact on young performers.
“I loved performing locally right through my childhood, and took every opportunity to get on stage – whether that was in pantomimes, amateur dramatics, or speech and drama festivals,” recalls Amy.
“I passionately believe that children should have the chance to get up and perform, as the discipline, confidence, teamwork and performance skills you learn in a professional theatre really do stay with you forever.”
As a result of her experiences, Amy created her production company in 2016 to bridge the gap between young performers and otherwise inaccessible venues. And, with the ultimate aim of allowing the talent of tomorrow to ‘take the stage’, she had no difficulty in deciding on a name!
Given Take the Stage’s local roots, there could not be a more apt venue for its launch performance than Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion, and preparations are already well underway. Scheduled to take place on Sunday 2nd July at 7.30pm, ‘Take the Stage’ will feature singing and dancing from performers aged 6-18, representing some of Essex’s most esteemed performing arts schools:
Junior Performers
Roydon Academy
Leonard Dance Academy
Morgan Academy of Performing Arts
Junior Master
Bailar Dance
Fusion Performers Dance Company
Fusion Performers Musical Theatre Company
Razzamatazz Theatre School Rayleigh West
The Cliffs Pavilion welcomes national touring musicals every year, and has hosted a prestigious roster of world-famous musicians, bands and comedians, including Paul McCartney, One Direction and Oasis. And now ‘Take the Stage’ will allow potential stars of the future to add their names to the list.
One such performer is Henry Woods, who trains at the Morgan Academy of Performing Arts in Leigh-on-Sea.
“This is a really exciting opportunity, as not many people get the chance to perform at the Cliffs, especially at our ages,” he says. “I’m really looking forward to sharing the stage with so many other young performers!”
Laura Burrows, Principal and Owner of Fusion Performers in Billericay, has over 50 students taking part on 2nd July, and fully appreciates the opportunity ‘Take the Stage’ will give her young performers.
“As a school, we are always seeking performance opportunities for our students and normally have to travel to London for this. It’s amazing to finally see a production company offering this opportunity locally.”
Indeed, one of the key barriers which traditionally prevents local schools from organising such performances is the financial strain it can put on the school itself, as well as the parents of performers. From the pressure of selling enough tickets to fill a large venue to the financial outlay of travelling up to London or organising coaches, it is easy to see why the opportunity for local schools to perform at
professional venues is such a rare one.
‘Take the Stage’ will instead take that pressure away from the teachers and performers, giving them the chance to focus fully on the creative aspect of the event. In fact, interest from local schools has been so high, Take the Stage has already booked the date for a second performance at the Cliffs Pavilion on July 8th 2018, and is looking for performers who want to be involved.
As well as featuring each performing arts school individually, this year’s ‘Take the Stage’ will close with a grand finale of all performers, choreographed by Sallie Warrington, whose direction and choreography is sought after throughout the UK.
This chance for performers from different schools to work together also brings a unique social aspect to ‘Take the Stage’. As Abi Leonard, Principal and Owner of Leonard Dance Academy in Rayleigh, says, “It’s not only a brilliant opportunity that
I’m sure the students will remember forever; it is also a time where students will build friendships and make some amazing memories.”
To find out more about Take the Stage and its first ever performance at 7:30pm,
Sunday 2nd July, visit the company’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/takethestageuk/.
Alternatively, tickets can be booked from the Cliffs Pavilion Box
Office (01702 351135 or www.southendtheatres.org.uk) and are priced £21-£23.50.