Seventy three students from Stagecoach Performing Arts schools across the UK, Australia, Germany, Lithuania and Malta graced the iconic G Live theatre in Guildford to deliver an outstanding performance of much-loved, ‘Bring It On: The Musical’, based on the hit Bring It On movie, including students from Stagecoach Swansea.
An experienced creative team including director, Gary Jerry, award-winning choreographer, Daniel Todd, and musical director, Billy Bullivant, led the students aged 11 to 18 through a two-week summer rehearsal programme, where they were able to focus on intensive training during the day and bond with their peers and leaders in the evenings.
This culminated in the stunning G Live Theatre in Guildford being the host of the two-day extravaganza, which saw the students perform four professional level shows across two matinees and two evening performances.
The event forms part of Stagecoach’s annual Summer Showcase which began in 1991 and is seen by students past and present as one of the highlights of their performing lives with many students coming back year after year to join the production.
After last year’s production of Grease, which went down a storm with students and audiences, both returning and new students were excited to work on a very different and more contemporary piece, giving them a whole new challenge to tackle.
Bring It On: The Musical explores the dramas of two cheerleading squads. To get the young performers ready to embody the characters, they had cheerleader training as part of their rehearsals – giving them an exciting new skillset to explore.
Summer Showcase not only teaches students the training and diligence needed for a professional performing arts career, but also builds upon their creativity and courage which will benefit them for the rest of their lives – both on and off the stage.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such an enthusiastic group of young performers. They are extremely motivated and professional and have displayed an incredible range of performing arts talent, whilst having fun and bonding with their peers throughout the two-week rehearsal workshop. The performances were a fantastic display of talent and community, and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said Gary Jerry.
The Summer Showcase is by no means the only highlight of Stagecoach’s 2024 performances. Stagecoach students worldwide have put on a plethora of incredible shows over past months, including at His Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End, The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, The Cresset Theatre in Peterborough, the Royal Hall in Harrogate, the New Wimbledon Theatre in London, the New Theatre Cardiff, and even internationally in Hamburg, Toronto and Disneyland Paris.
In the 35 years since launching, Stagecoach Performing Arts has seen more than one million students unlock their creative potential. Provided with the support and dedication of such an outstanding Principal network, the students learn so much more than how to sing, dance and act. Stagecoach helps them blossom into well-rounded individuals, ready to embrace life and all of its exciting opportunities.
With a network of over 60,000 students and more than 3,000 extra-curricular Performing Arts Schools worldwide, Stagecoach aims to make a difference in its students’ lives by teaching Creative Courage for Life.
Many children have embraced their Stagecoach training and continued to study and work in performing arts, from blockbuster films to countless roles in local theatre productions. Early Stages Stagecoach classes are available for children aged four to six and Main Stages classes take place for six to 18-year-olds every weekend during term time.
