Belfast School of Performing Arts

Northern Ireland's Leading Theatre School For 3-19 Year Olds

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BSPA Pupil reaches final of BBC Chorister of the year.

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BSPA Belfast AM pupil Rebekah Devlin at the semi finals of BBC Chorister of the year

BSPA were so proud to hear that BSPA Belfast AM Pupil Rebekah was representing N Ireland in the Semi Final of BBC Chorister of the year in the stunning Salisbury Cathedral.

Rebecca secured her place to represent Northern Ireland in the girls’ semi-final of the 2021 competition after competing against hundreds of other entrants from schools right across the UK. The 16-year-old, a student at Strathearn School, is also a member of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Chamber Choir and the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland.

The semi-final was recorded in Salisbury Cathedral, and the adjudicators were Aled Jones, who presents the programme; composer Howard Goodall; vocal coach and presenter David Grant; and renowned soprano Lesley Garrett.

Rebekah with presenter Aled Jones in Salisbury Cathedral

All of them had really positive comments on Rebekah’s semi-final performance, broadcast on BBC One television, and on Radio 2, on Sunday 21st November. The talented competed against four other girls seeking to secure a place in the grand final.

Rebekah’s stunning semi-final rendition of ‘He will hold me fast’, by Matt Merker and arranged for her by Jonathan Rea from New Irish Arts, was one of two video recordings Rebekah submitted as her entry to the competition last May.

Rebekah with Judge the renowned singer Lesley Garrett in Salisbury Cathedral

We were thrilled when we Rebekah was one of three girls to reach the competition final on December 5 where she will perform her second song, ‘Midwinter’ (Bob Chilcott) as she takes on boy and girl finalists from across the UK in her bid for the prestigious title.

In addition to the title of BBC Young Chorister Of The Year 2021 and a trophy, the winner will appear on Songs of Praise and take part in BBC Radio recordings.

Her performance can be watched on BBC iplayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0011vnf/songs-of-praise-young-chorister-of-the-year-girls-semifinal

We wish Rebekah well for the final on Sunday 5th December

BSPA Pupils tread the boards at Grand Opera House, Belfast

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Pupils backstage at Grand Opera House in Christmas Carol

BSPA Pupils were thrilled to get the chance to appear on the Stage of the newly refurbished Grand Opera House in Belfast Operatic Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol”

Pupil Duarte Silva Moriera who played the part of Tiny Tim was joined by fellow pupils Olivia Pyper, Cora Magee, Leo McDermot, Isla Torney and Amelie Thorpe.

Duarte as Tiny Tim on the shoulders of Scrooge ( Colin Boyd)

What a wonderful experience for our children to take part in this fantastic show playing to full houses all week. It was especially exciting as they were performing with many of our BSPA teachers who played many of the principal roles including Matthew Campbell (Jacob Marley) Simon Pyper ( Ghost of Christmas Present) , Kirsten Magee ( Granny Chuzzlewit), Wendy Pyper ( Mrs Mop) Taylor Wills (dancer) and Adam Darcy ( Musical Director)

Cora ( Martha Cratchit) and Duarte ( Tiny Tim) with their stage parents Bob Cratchit ( Ciaran Conlon) and
Mrs Cratchit ( Jane McKibbin)

Stage Photos courtesy of Melissa Gordon

BSPA Excel at MTI Europe Junior Theatre Festival

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BSPA Team who won ” Outstanding Production” at the MTI Europe Junior Theatre Festival at ICC Birmingham

BSPA were delighted to represent N Ireland at the MTI Europe Junior Theatre Festival in the ICC Birmingham on Sunday 24th October. This was the first time since Lockdown that the Festival had been able to take place and excited performers from all over the UK.

The team had to perform a ten Minute segment from any Broadway jr production using no props or costume and the Creative team of Director Peter Corry, Musical Director Adam Darcy and Choreographer Oprah Devit choose the Dr Seuss inspired ‘Seussical Jr”

The judges Alex Parker ( Westend Musical Director), Lotte Wakeham( Westend Associated Director) and John Prignano( COO and Education and Development MTI)

The performance was judged by Alex Parker ( Westend Musical Director), Lotte Wakeham( Westend Associated Director) and John Prignano( COO and Education and Development MTI) and we were delighted with the feedback given focusing on how well our pupils interpreted and told the story of the musical and worked together as a team. Competition was tough but we were thrilled when the word came through that we had been awarded ‘Outstanding Production” which gave us the opportunity to perform a clip on the main stage in front of all the other schools. What a thrill and privilege for our pupils many of whom had not performed on a stage for around two years.

BSPA Team perform a clip from ” Seussical Jr” on the main stage of the ICC Birmingham

Our pupils had an incredible day and also participated in workshops by West End performers, and watched a concert by West end stars Emma Williams and Matthew Croke and above all met with other like minded pupils.

BSPA team taking part in workshop at the MTI Europe Junior Theatre Festival

BSPA are thrilled to announce they will be attending the 2022 Festival in Birmingham on Saturday 20th May 2022. Auditions will be held in the New year

BSPA Performance of ” Seussical Jr” which won ” Best Production” at the MTI Europe Junior Theatre Festival 2021

BSPA Pupils star in Educational Film

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The cast on stage at the premiere of ” Mission….. Not so Possible” in Strand Theatre

BSPA Casting was thrilled that seven of our pupils were cast

BSPA Casting is so proud that 7 out of 9 children who were featured in a new film “Mission … Not so possible” were BSPA Pupils.

This film was commissioned by the charity “Invisible Traffick “as part of a series of films to be shown in Primary schools across N Ireland to teach our children about modern Slavery. What an incredible evening BSPA pupils, Meghan McSorley, Carla O’Brien, Oliver Stevenson, Isla Torney, Dean Colville,Charis Faulkner and Imogen Ward had at a special launch on 18th October at the Strand Arts Centre, Belfast.

See below the clip from UTV about the video featuring BSPA pupils.

West End Star Killian Donnelly launches Sunday Sessions

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Killian Donnelly, Peter Corry and Tina McVeigh with the students of Les Miserable workshop

A West End and Broadway star has helped youngsters at a new initiative at the Belfast School of Performing Arts.

The school’s The Sunday Sessions, which launched at the weekend, is a new initiative designed to inspire young people in the acting world.

And Irish theatre star Killian Donnelly was there at the launch, taking to the stage to help 30 young people bring theatre to life. 

Killian, famed for roles in shows such as Les Miserables, Kinky Boots and most recently as The Phantom in the European tour of The Phantom of the Opera, was in Belfast to share his in-depth knowledge and passion with talented young people from all across the province.

Speaking about his experiences in Belfast, where he was teaching young people songs from Les Mis, Killian said: “The talent is absolutely incredible. You never know what you are going to expect. We’ve been working on building confidence and I’ve been less concerned about their ability. These guys are unbelievable and each of them has really brought their own version of the character. They are passionate and they are singing, acting and pouring emotion into everything they do. I can honestly say that they have fuelled me and inspired me.”

The Sunday Sessions is a new initiative from what is Northern Ireland’s leading theatre school.

Speaking about the sessions, Artistic Director: Peter Corry  said: “The Sunday Sessions are designed to inspire and encourage young people aged 14-25, not just our own students but anyone with an interest in theatre, to really get into the very essence of what it means to bring all aspects of theatre to life. 

( Belfast Live 8th October 2020)

BSPA Pupil stars in ” Nova Jones”

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Isabella D’arco ( right) stars in ‘ Nova Jones”

BSPA is proud of BSPA Belfast South pupils Isabella D’arco who has been starring in the new children’ s programme Nova Jones which is featuring on CBBC and RTE2
We are also thrilled that our Dance Teacher Kat Reagan had the privilege of Choreographing on the series.