Supporting its hard working, dedicated and talented students achieve their professional dreams is a big part of the ethos of part-time theatre school Razzamataz. In order to assist them financially, the Future Fund charity was set up to help a Razzamataz student to go on to study performing arts at college.
Now in its second year, four talented Razzamataz students performed in front of an experienced panel of judges to win funding for their performing arts course. Tyler Martin from Razzamataz Medway, Amy Houston from Razzamataz Dumfries, Robson Broad from Razzamataz Medway and Rosalia Morales from Razzamataz Rayleigh West performed a song, dance and drama piece to demonstrate their versatility as performers.
The auditions were held at Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden and were judged by a panel of independent performing arts specialists. Fi Silverthorn, street dancer from Urban Strides was the dance expert with a keen eye for spotting potential. Fi’s professional credits include dancing for FKA Twigs, Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Goulding and at The MOBO Awards. She is also a member of the renowned Hip Hop company Birdgang. Lauryn Jamieson, last year’s Future Fund winner and teaching assistant at Razzamataz Carlisle, was also on the panel and was able to talk about her experiences having just completed a year’s foundation course at drama college Rose Bruford. The final judge was Max Reynolds, Associate Director on the UK tour of Avenue Q and the upcoming UK tour of Little Shop of Horrors.
The standard of this year’s entries was exceptionally high with very little to set them apart. After much deliberation, the first prize of £3,000 was awarded to Rosalia, age 16 from Razzamataz Rayleigh West with the other students offered £500 towards their own training.
Rosalia has been offered a place at the prestigious ArtsEd college where she will be fine tuning all her skills to make her into a strong triple threat performer who is able to turn her hand to singing, dancing and acting.
On winning the scholarship, Rosalia says: “It’s one thing getting into a top performing arts school but it’s another being able to afford it! I had been in this position once before when sadly I was unable to train further at Tring Park due to
L – R: Max Reynolds, Lauryn Jamieson and Fi Silverthorn
financial reasons. This time I was fortunate to have been awarded the ArtsEd scholarship. However, I knew there was still a huge cost involved so I tried not to get my hopes up. Travelling over two hours there and back each day from my home town would have been impossible with the physical demands of the course but the Future Fund Award has meant that I can now share rented accommodation right near the school in Chiswick. I cannot thank Razzamataz enough for making it possible for me to continue along my intended career path in musical theatre.”
The judges were impressed by Rosalia’s overall maturity and understanding of the roles that she took on. “Already her vocals are of a high standard and with further training will really develop her instrument,” explains Max Reynolds. “I was very impressed that she has a knowledge and passion for Sondheim, who is a highly intelligent writer of musical theatre and is advanced for Rosalia’s age.”
The Future Fund is just one of the many opportunities that Razzamataz franchisees can take advantage of. Being part of a network of performing arts professionals, who combine their knowledge and contacts about the industry with proven business success, is a winning combination for successful theatre schools.
The growing network has more than 40 schools up and down the country and students, staff and Principals regularly take part in fundraising events to help towards the Future Fund.
In 2016 alone, there was a huge array of activities including taking part in Tough Mudder across the country where Principals, staff and parents got soaked in ice water, crawled in mud and jumped over obstacles and were sponsored by supportive parents across the network. Students also take part in many performance events including in Derby were children performed at the ipro stadium Derby County FC to the delight of crowds and raised £325 for the Future Fund.
If you want to find out more about becoming a franchisee owner, make an appointment to come along to one of the regular but informal Discovery Den days in London, Glasgow or Sheffield to find out more about this exciting and flexible business opportunity. To book a place contact Head of Franchisee Recruitment Suzie McCafferty on [email protected] or call Suzie on 07793 054 233 to discuss overseas opportunities. For more details visit: www.razzamataztheatreschools.co.uk.
