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OTN visits Footlights, the dance, drama and singing class keeping Old Trafford’s youngsters on their toes. |
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As any parent will tell you, children can act up from time to time. |
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Well, thanks to an inspiring dance and drama club on Shrewsbury Street, they can act their hearts out too. |
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Footlights Academy of drama and dance is the creation of professional actor Joanne Fisher, who wanted to find a way to share her skills with others. “We have a slogan here we like to use,” she explains: “inspired by children, created by professionals.” |
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The Old Trafford club is one of several sessions held across Greater Manchester, by a team of ten fully trained actors. Many of the team share their work at Footlights with appearances on stage and screen. Joanne herself recently appeared in an episode of Waterloo Road, while today’s class is being shared with Jade Walker who will be a familiar face to fans of Drop Dead Gorgeous. The high quality of the teaching means the children are never bored. “We try to challenge the children, but in a really friendly and supportive environment. , but Joanne says the real secret to their success is the friendly, safe atmosphere they create. |
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“When children come here they are greeted with a big smiley face at the door. We’re smiling then the kids are smiling and it’s as simple as that” |
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Unlike the stereotype of a drama and dance club, there are no divas or prima donnas here. |
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“From day one we drum into everyone that they are a team,” Joanne says. “And that is a word we use a lot. We have a strong anti-bullying ethos going on as well.” |
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“That’s why we like everyone to wear a uniform” adds Jade. “So that they know the team is bigger than the individual.” |
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In the two years that Footlights have been meeting in Old Trafford, they have seen well over a hundred young people come through the doors. Some of the changes they’ve seen in the young people have been remarkable. |
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“We measure success by things like parents telling us the kids’ schoolwork has improved. They’ll no longer be shy, they’ll get up in class and ask questions, or read in public for the first time. |
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| The class has even had successes with children who struggle with the physical disability dyspraxia. |
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“Their co-ordination skills definitely improved,” says Joanne. |
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The activities at the class are largely driven by the wishes of the children themselves, and that has led them to some emotionally challenging places, Joanne explains. |
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“When we begin the classes we always sit down and have a little chat about whatever might have been going on. One day the children came in absolutely heart-broken. They said ‘Have you heard about Ethan?’ - and it was their schoolfriend Ethan Penrose who had been killed in a traffic accident. They asked if they could do something, so we got in touch with Asda in Hulme and did some singing and dancing there one day and raised £75 for Ethan’s fund.” |
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They have also participated in Manchester Kids and last year entertained the crowds with a float at Old Trafford Carnival. With a course in screen acting for teenagers due to begin shortly, the future looks full of fun for the young drama queens and kings in your household. |
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Footlights meet every Thursday, 5.30pm - 7pm.
Old Trafford Community Centre, Shrewsbury Street.
Tel: 07956 423 895
£4 per session
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Story |
OTN team |
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Photos |
Rachel Adams |
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Footloose and Fancy Free
