PJs for pounds
It’s that time of year again, the annual Razzamataz PJ day and we couldn’t be more excited to see our students, teachers and Principals in their best onesies and PJs for a day of fun.
What it is all for?
Our students have gone on to make names for themselves in hit West End shows such as Hamilton and Matilda as well as TV series and films. In order for them to fulfil their dreams, they needed to go to college or university to continue their performing arts study. To help them reach their full potential, Razzamataz created a charity called Future Fund, offering scholarships to help with the cost of their study. Looking at the current Razzamatz alumni, the charity is certainly paying off.
Since 2016, Razzamataz Theatre Schools has been offering life-changing scholarships through its charity Future Fund. The scholarships are awarded to Razzamataz students going on to study performing arts at college or university with the franchise network having so far donated more than £22,000.
The money is all raised by the Principals, staff, students and their families of each school. An incredible achievement when you consider the amount of effort that goes into each activity. One of the most popular fundraising events is the annual PJ Day, where children don their best onesie or PJ set and head off into class to meet their teachers also in their lounge gear.
This is a really fun day which has far reaching effects for students. Last year the network raised more than £5,000, enabling the charity to keep offering funding for students. Students will come to their classes in their PJs and onesies in exchange for a small donation.
“It takes years of dedication, commitment and talent to secure a place at a performing arts college but it is also hugely expensive. I had to drop out of college because I just couldn’t afford it and I always thought that I would love to be in a position to help a young person fulfil their ambitions.”
Razzamataz Founder, Denise Hutton-Gosney.
About Future Fund
Since the charity launched, there have been four rounds of auditions. A big part of the process is giving students an opportunity to audition in front of a panel of industry experts. Past judges include dancer and choreographer Robert Hamilton with West End credits including CATS and FAME and commercial experience dancing with Robbie Williams and Kimberley Wyatt. From The Phantom of the Opera was Victoria Ward, street dancers Fi Silverthorn and Lizzie Gough from ITV’s DANCE DANCE DANCE and even a former Razzamataz student who is now a professional performer currently in Matilda.
The judges have already been lined up for 2020 and include Shekinah McFarlane, currently in SIX in the West End and West End choreographer and director Andrew Wright who is a double Olivier award nominee for best choreography and double What’s On Stage Award winner for best choreography.
The PJ day also offers a chance for the teachers to chat to the students about their options when leaving school. Although Razzamataz has many students who go on to perform professionally, many have used their time at Razzamataz to build confidence to help them with their life choices.
“Some of our students are keen to progress with their performing when they leave school while others enjoy it for fun, fitness and a chance to catch up with their friends. We believe that performing arts gives all young people the skills that are needed to progress in life. Many former students have told us that it gave them the confidence they needed to try new things and push themselves into new situations.”
Join our network
Razzamataz offers a wide range of performing arts styles for youngsters age 2-18 including current trends that are accessible to children and teenagers. Razzamataz classes consist of dance, drama and singing and the curriculum covers the whole of the performing arts, from classic West End musical theatre to street dance, pop singing and acting for camera.
Being part of a successful franchise network allows theatre school owners the chance to offer students amazing opportunities. As well as funding through the schools’ own charity, students also get the opportunity to audition to win a year’s scholarship in association with The Stage newspaper.
To find out more about joining our team of Principals and all the benefits of joining an Award-winning franchise, drop one of our friendly team a line. Franchisees come from a range of backgrounds but all share a love for the performing arts.
Contact our friendly head office team on [email protected]
Visit: www.razzamataz.co.uk/franchise-opps/discovery-dens/
To find out more about the Disney performance, visit www.razzamagique.com
