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What an exciting opportunity 7 year old BSPA Lisburn pupil Theo Blacklock had when he was the youngest of four participants in an exciting zoom workshop at the weekend. The “Acting for Animation Workshop was taken by renowned voice actor, Katie Leigh. She has and still voices many Disney characters, as well as playing one of the main characters in an audio drama series, Adventures in Odyssey. among many others.

Being the youngest and the only participant not from America he naturally got a lot of attention. What a fantastic opportunity for this talented young pupil.

As we look forward to welcoming back our pupils virtually on zoom it is hard to believe that 10 years ago today BSPA opened the doors for the first time welcoming 37 excited pupils and started on a fantastic musical journey.

During the last 10 years BSPA has grown to become N Ireland’s largest Performing Arts School with 8 schools in Belfast Ballymena, Bangor and Lisburn and 12 BSPA Juniors classes. Since we opened several thousand pupils have benefited from being part of the BSPA Family with several now having gone on to Drama School or performing professionally or even teaching for BSPA .

BSPA has also produced over 80 high class shows, provided workshops led by Westend and Broadway stars and provided entertainment at corporate events. Our pupils have joined well known stars on stage and taken part in both Professional and Amateur shows and pantomime with other Companies.

We have taken our pupils and parents on exciting trips to London, New York and Disneyland Paris and won awards both as individuals and groups in Competitions.

Through our casting agency many of our pupils have had the opportunity to star in films, adverts, TV, professional shows and pantomimes and our midweek accredited classes have resulted in high grades in individual exams in Drama and Musical Theatre. It has also been delighted to support many charities over the last few years.

On behalf of all the pupils who have come through our doors over the last 10 years I would like to thank every single person who has provided them with fantastic opportunities, taught at our schools, helped create the magic in our productions, helped with marketing and design and ensured our children’s safety both at shows and more recently at our schools due to Covid 19.

Every one of you should be very proud that you have contributed to the success and growth of BSPA and have helped our pupils build their confidence, performance skills, build friendships and most importantly provided them and their families with a lot of fun, laughter and happy memories that will I hope stay with them for a very long time. Looking forward to creating more exciting memories in the next ten years ( Tina McVeigh)

Our Artistic Director: Peter Corry was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to the Committee of MLAs about the lack of clarity and planning there is for Theatres, the Arts and Performing Arts Schools like ourselves. He also spoke about the effect this uncertainty is having on our young people, something all of us at BSPA are very aware of and we care deeply about. Well said Peter we are very proud of you and do hope they take your wise words on board and that 2021 is a better year for everyone

For press release see link below

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-55180333?fbclid=IwAR0MLgFQr6YaFGwLJNi_WpFiKxX-DSG4_0pF_pNLA63pX3Kl6wO21uDT5Ps

THE SHOW MUST GO ON! 

LEADING THEATRE SCHOOL LAUNCHES THE SUNDAY SESSIONS

The Belfast School of Performing Arts (BSPA), Northern Ireland’s leading youth theatre school, is issuing a curtain call for young people to take part in the newly launched Sunday Sessions, scheduled to take place each  Sunday from October to mid-December.

Aimed at young people, aged 14 – 25, the project will connect Northern Ireland’s performing talent with top industry professionals to offer a series of face to ‘socially distanced’ face masterclasses led by experts in film and stagecraft.

BSPA Artistic Director, Peter Corry believes the upcoming series of Sunday masterclasses will benefit local talent both now and in the future.

“Because of the pandemic, the entertainment industry across the whole world has been decimated, and the return to theatres and performances is much slower than anticipated,” West End star said. 

“But we performers are always optimistic and truly believe that the show will and must go on. So we are using this enforced downtime productively to lay the groundwork for the stars of the future. 

“BSPA’s Sunday Sessions will connect ambitious young people with exceptionally talented and accomplished stars of stage, screen and production to inspire and help them grow in confidence and we excited about the incredible stars who will be giving up their time to teach our students at The Sunday Sessions.” 

“I really believe in the ability of musical and theatre to benefit young people as they grow and develop into young adults. You are never too young to perform, and it’s never too late to start learning,” Peter said.

“Stagecraft encourages discipline and dedication. It nurtures close friendships, self-confidence, determination and an array of transferable skills that help students succeed not only on stage but in their day-to-day lives. Being part of a theatre school offers a creative outlet to express emotions in a safe environment which allows it teens to grow into confident adults. 

“Young people have been under tremendous pressure, and stress since the start of lockdown but theatre can improve their mental health and show them that the future will be brighter.”

Tina Mcveigh, Director at BSPA says; “I strongly encourage those interested in expanding their learning in the field of music, theatre, dance and film to book a place on BSPA’s upcoming Sunday Sessions and avail of this unique opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. For young actors, dancers, and singers, these unique sessions are simply not to be missed.”

BSPA Sunday Sessions have attracted some major players from the world of stage and screen to share the secrets of the professional world of entertainment, both in front of and behind the cameras. 

Expert tutors for the performance masterclasses include star of Les Misérables, Killian Donnelly, film and TV actor Cameron Jack, who appeared in Batman The Dark Knight Rises; actor and director Ross White, Kelly Downing who is a member of Hamilton’s West End cast and ‘We Will Rock You’ Broadway star David Michael Johnson.

BSPA will also be creating, devising and shooting a short film during the course of the Sunday Sessions to give insight and experience to those interested in working behind  and in front of the camera. 

Some of The Sunday Sessions can be booked as individual masterclasses but the film course will run as a seven week course and attendance will be required each week for those taking part. (Times to be confirmed.)

Founded in 2010, BSPA specialises in teaching singing, dancing and drama to over 600 young people aged 3-19 years of age, of all abilities and backgrounds across eight different schools in Northern Ireland.

To the delight of all their dedicated students, BSPA activities and classes have now resumed with COVID19 safety measures strictly adhered to.

There is limited space in each class, so to avoid disappointment we suggest you book soon. To do so, go to the links below.

For further press information or to arrange an interview, please contact Nicola Taggart on 074 6886 6808 or email 1visionpr@gmail.com

The Sunday Sessions Schedule

October 4, 2020, 9am to 4pm: Behind the Barricade –  A Masterclass on Les Misérables with Killian Donnelly.

Killian has risen through the ranks of Les Miserables since joining the London cast in 2008. He worked his way up from understudy to a student and eventually to playing a number of lead roles, he also appeared in the film and played Jean Val Jean in the international tour of the show.

Killian has also played leading roles in such musicals as The Commitments and Memphis both on the West End and Kinky Boots on Broadway. Most recently he was also was playing the role of the Phantom in the UK tour of the show up until it halted due to Covid19.

The chance to work with him is a fantastic opportunity for anyone between the ages of 14 and 25 who loves musical theatre.

He will work with those who take part on the characters, the music, and the story that makes this the iconic musical it is.

A not to be missed experience for anyone who loves this incredible show.

Please note there are discounts for anyone taking part in all sessions.

October 11 & 18, 2020: The Film – A Masterclass in Film Making with Ross White

Actor and director Ross White will help young people develop the skills required for film making both in front and behind the camera.

Ross is an actor, director and workshop leader originally from Belfast. He graduated from the Guildford School of Acting in 2017. 

Since then he has worked professionally as an actor across the UK and Ireland in both theatre and film. 

Ross has also directed many productions locally including a NODA nominated production of Spring Awakening.

 He is passionate about encouraging young people of all backgrounds to develop confidence through the performing arts. 

December 20, 2020: Acting for Camera Masterclass with Cameron Jack 

Cameron has appeared in films such as Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, Perfect Skin and Calibre. His TV credits include Emmerdale, Silent Witness, Outlander and Call the Midwife. He will be passing on his huge amount of knowledge and working on the best methods to approach a performance for screen and TV.

December 29, 2020, 1pm to 3pm: Dance Hamilton Masterclass with Kelly Downing 

Kelly Downing is a member of the London cast of global stage musical hit Hamilton. With a string of credits to her name including Grease and The Bodyguard, Kelly has also danced with pop star Olly Murs at the Brit Awards. She has performed in pantomime, stage shows and television and her dance masterclass for BSPA will conclude with an informative Q&A session for those interested in following in her choreographed footsteps.

November 8, 15 & 22, 2020: A Masterclass in Film Making with Ross White

Actor and director Ross White will help young people develop the skills required for film making both in front and behind the camera.

November 29, 2020: We Will Rock You Masterclass with David Michael Johnson

A Masterclass with David-Michael Johnson on rock musicals. David (or DMJ as he’s known to his friends) is an American lead performer from shows such as We Will Rock You, Starlight Express, Rent and Jesus Christ Superstar. He talks about and works on the unique style needed for a rock musical and the ways to deliver a stand-out performance.

December 6 & 13, 2020: A Masterclass in Film Making with Ross White

Actor and director Ross White will help young people develop the skills required for film making both in front and behind the camera.

BSPA is thrilled to announce their exciting summer project appropriately called “Light at the end of the tunnel” bring held in Breda Academy from the 3-7 August 2020. This will be a week of the very best in tuition with classes mostly outdoors and in a marquee.

Open to ALL aged 6 years – 19yrs this fun filled week of singing, dancing and acting will be taken by Peter Corry and a fantastic team of teachers.

BSPA will be adhering to all current Covid-19 safety regulations.

Register now for this Summer’s must-have Musical theatre experience at bit.ly/bspasummerproject2020

Virtual BSPA Concert

Many of our children have started to enjoy a Virtual BSPA but we also wanted to do something which would be a fun challenge and bring them together again. It would also be something positive to work towards and to remind them of this time and above all to use their talents to help other children who are in need of extra support.

We decided to challenge our pupils to record the fabulous Gary Barlow song “Sing” at home to make a Lockdown virtual video to raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children. We are delighted that 115 pupils aged 6 -17 years took up our challenge and learnt and recorded the song – not as easy as it sounds!

We are also delighted that 3 pupils decided to choreograph a small dance break for the video.

We had also just confirmed Cancer Fund for Children as our BSPA 2020 Charity so please help us support them here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BSPA2020

Huge thanks to our Production team
Producer: Peter Corry
MD/Producer: Adam Darcy
Video Producer: Lloyd Edgar ( Strike Team Media)
Sound Engineer: James Everett