Lights, camera, action. Students were given the exciting opportunity to attend a professional photoshoot with esteemed performing arts newspaper, The Stage.
The Stage is a weekly newspaper for the performing arts and entertainment industry. Established in 1880, it is still one of the most respected publications for both professionals and amateurs.
The photo shoot was part of the prize for the youngsters who entered a national competition in association with The Stage to win a year’s scholarship to attend their local Razzamataz Theatre School.
The selected students were Avah Al-Geradi, age nine from Razzamataz Liverpool South, Harriet Silk, age 12 from Razzamataz Cambridge, Aimee Millward, age 15 from Razzamataz Derby, Jessica Black, age 15 from Razzamataz Medway and Georgie Mills, age 14 from Razzamataz Sheffield.
Hear from the students
“Wow I am so proud and grateful, I didn’t believe I could do it,” Amiee Millward, Derby.
“I’m very shocked to be chosen this year because of the incredible talent at Razz Medway. I am overwhelmed by the support I have had and so excited as this gives me the confidence to follow my dream,” Jessica Black, Razzamataz Medway.
Razzamataz Medway student, Jessica Black
“I feel really great and surprised and I can’t stop smiling. I can’t believe that I won! I love Razz because it’s doing what I love with all my friends I’ve made who all support each other in everything we do,” Harriet Silk, Razzamataz Cambridge.
“I can’t believe that I’ve won the scholarship. I love performing and Razzamataz will help make my dreams of becoming a performer come true,” Avah Al-Gerardi, Razzamataz Liverpool South.
“Winning the Razzamataz scholarship was a fantastic surprise and I genuinely can’t believe they chose me. I really appreciate this opportunity as I have always loved singing and drama. I can’t wait to meet new friends and start my classes,” Georgie Mills, Razzamataz Sheffield.
To enter the scholarship competition, the children were asked to film a short demo of no more than two minutes long showing them performing either a musical theatre song and dance, street dance, pop song, drama improvisation or scripted drama piece. The demo did not have to be professionally filmed. Candidates also completed a short application form detailing why they wanted to take this opportunity.
As a professional performer, a photo shoot will be one of the most glamourous parts of the job. The students were incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to be styled by top makeup artists and hairdressers and work with photographers to achieve a professional finish.
Harriet Silk, Razzamataz Cambridge
The Stage scholarship opportunity is open to all students within the Razzamataz network as well as anyone who has never had any training. Razzamataz has a number of scholarship opportunities throughout the year and has discovered youngsters who are now working professionally on the West End stage in hit shows such as Hamilton. The scholarships also look to encourage young people to push beyond boundaries, such as Razzamataz Medway student Eloise Kemlo who has Type 1 Diabetes. This autoimmune disease affects the pancreas meaning that Eloise has to continually monitor her health to allow her to do the things she loves. Her Principal Emily Miller says: “Eloise was awarded the Stage Scholarship 2018. There are times when Eloise can’t get involved through no fault of her own but she stays in the studio, she listens, she absorbs everything and comes back the next week knowing what she has missed and ready to embrace a new fresh week. She is a shining example of how when we are challenged, the human spirt can be lifted to achieve the impossible.”
The beauty of The Stage scholarships is that the judges are looking for potential so by entering, it can be the start of a whole new chapter in a child’s life. “Some of our most talented students have come through scholarship auditions,” says Denise Hutton-Gosney, MD and Founder of Razzamataz. “It doesn’t matter if they have not been to any classes before, we are looking for a spark that we can nurture. Razzamataz offers training in both musical theatre and commercial genres in the disciplines of dance, drama and singing, so the students leave becoming ‘triple-threat’
performers. Many are accepted into prestigious performing arts colleges and are making a career in this highly competitive industry.”
Hear from our Principals
“Running The Stage Scholarship is an invaluable opportunity to offer students. It really helps in marketing to that often illusive age category ’the seniors’ as well as other existing and non-existing students in other age groups. Offering a scholarship is exciting in itself but when you have the prestige of it being attached to The Stage it really is something special,” Kayleigh Redford, Principal Razzamataz Newcastle
Sheffield student Georgie Mills
“The Stage Scholarship is a fantastic initiative to offer to our students. We always receive lots of entries, especially from our older students who really recognise The Stage as being so prevalent in the industry. It is a great chance for them to challenge themselves and showcase their talents. To win is an amazing achievement and one that is recognised by colleges, universities and the performing arts industry,” Debbie Mitchell, Principal Razzamataz Carlisle.
Join our teams
Razzamataz is gearing up to celebrate 20 years in business in 2020. Continuing to inspire students and offer them wonderful opportunities is forefront at all times with a number of events planned, including performing at Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Indigo at the 02 and overseas performance opportunities at Disneyland® Paris and a new venture called Razz at Sea, which offers students the chance to perform to an international audience and meet the show cast on a cruise ship.
January 2020 is the start of the 20th birthday celebration, which includes a special financial incentive to join the award-winning network. Selected potential franchisees are being invited to attend the annual Razzamataz Conference held on 20 January 2020 at the stunning Atmosphere Venues in Millbank, London. This is a chance to meet Denise and the Head Office team and to find out more about running a theatre school including the many large-scale performing opportunities, business development and the launch of new products under the Razzamataz brand.
Liverpool South student Avah Al-Gerardi
We are particularly keen to recruit in Scotland; specifically, Dundee and Aberdeen and Wales; specifically, in Cardiff and Swansea and we have a resale opportunity in Hackney. For those looking for a part-time enterprise, the Early Years Franchise has been created to cater to the demand for people wanting to work in the children’s performing arts industry but who do not have the relevant experience to launch a full Razzamataz Theatre School.
Contact us NOW for a fabulous 50% off the franchise fee, first term management fee free PLUS we pay your VAT. Just quote PR2020.
