Stagecoach

Also prepared for our information packs

It is always of interest to know what other people think of something which is a new concept to yourself.  Our parents and students have kindly sent comments to us across many years about what Stagecoach has meant to them.  You can see these on our website http://www.darlingtonandyarm.co.uk/ in the CATEGORIES box under `testimonials`. But here are a few recent ones for now:-

Parents have asked me about Stagecoach and I said that Stagecoach is the best thing we have ever done and it has given M….. the confidence she has today. (Mrs Pa… Darlington)

All in all, Stagecoach has played a vital role in helping A…. achieve her dream of training at a top London drama school, in the hope of one day realising her dream of performing in the West End.  Mrs R (Yarm)

It is impossible to put into words how much my years at Stagecoach have shaped me and changed me for the better.  I have never had a dull moment …and I have had some of the best moments in my life   Matthew L (Yarm)

Stagecoach has been my life. Forget school. I wanted to go to Stagecoach! I have made friends for life. The manners and confidence made me the person I am today.  Hayley M (Yarm and Darlington)

I can`t really remember anything that I`ve enjoyed and looked forward to so much, for so long. Nick B (Yarm)

Stagecoach is a safe, nurturing environment and I can`t think of a child who wouldn`t benefit from this. Mrs B (Darlington)

A…. has come on so much since starting Stagecoach, he’s a different boy! I think Stagecoach is the best thing that I have ever done for both of my children. Mrs J (Yarm)

C…… is so loving his time at Stagecoach and thinks all your teachers are excellent. We continue to be really impressed with the whole set-up. Mrs W (Yarm)

Stagecoach  is a very happy place which is the most  important thing, but all the children are very committed, something you have  instilled in them.  Mrs Pe.. (Darlington)

Children really do benefit enormously from attending Stagecoach & they have so much fun. Mrs Br… (Darlington)

M…. has made some good friends at Stagecoach and can’t wait to get there each week. She goes in with a grin and comes out with an even bigger one! Mrs D (Darlington)

Matthew Lewis, who recently gained a place at the East 15 Drama School in London has sent this card to all his teachers and fellow students, so I have put it here for all those people to read. It was very touching Matthew - thank you.

I have to thank Hayley Moohan of Yarm Further Stages (and one of our Early Stages Helpers) for her gift this Christmas. Hayley made a scrapbook for me of  “13 years of fun”. She had included photos and souvenirs of her own time with us  and also letters from herself and other senior students who were leaving to go to university or who now had to concentrate on school exams.  I read the letters in the carpark of Teesside High and became very emotional about reading them.

I know that they will not mind my quoting some lines from what they had to say.  

“Stagecoach has been my life. Forget school. I wanted to go to Stagecoach! I have made friends for life. The manners and confidence made me the person I am today.”  H.M.

” I can`t really remember anything that I`ve enjoyed and looked forward to so much, for so long.  N.B.

“I have never had a dull moment …and I have had some of the best moments in my life.” M.L.

“Stagecoach and LAMDA exams have improved my confidence so much over the years and taught me so many skills that`ll last forever” E.A.W.

” I was at Stagecoach for five years and looked forward to my weekends so I could sing, dance and act and also see the great friends I made over the years.” T.A.

“Thank you for the huge contribution you give every student who passes through Stagecoach.”  R.H.

“My time spent at Stagecoach has been invaluable. Thank you for being a part of shaping the person that I am today.” C.P.

“I`ll never forget all the wonderful times that I have had at Stagecoach” A.H.

The pleasure has all been ours - it is a privilege to see you blossom and progress. There you go - the waterworks again!

Thank you Hayley for the lovely gesture and thought. I will treasure it always.

The Early Stages Workshops happened this week and myself and the staff were very pleased with the children`s work and behaviour all week. We had the most children that we have ever had take part this year with 60 in total - some doing the whole week, some mixing and matching their days.

The children got to show their imaginations in devising much of their drama and they made costumes and props too. The weather was kind so we got to use the lovely playground and that is where I captured many of these smiling faces. Families may right click over the photo and save it to their computer. Any distortion in dimension will not be saved so don`t worry about that.

Firstly is a card that Darcey Garbutt gave us on the last day. We were very touched Darcey.

Then I have taken photographs (I hope) of all the children who were in the workshops on Thursday and Friday (I`m afraid that I had lost my camera in the early part of the week.

 The Portrait Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we have:-

Playtime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun With the Helpers

Each group had its own helper who was with them all the time. I missed getting photos of Hayley McKay who had to leave us on Thursday and I did not capture her replacement Alex either - sorry!

Here is Charlotte

 

And Hayley Moohan

And poor long-suffering James Lavelle, who was chased nearly to extinction at playtime as these pictures show

 

 

And also

In Lessons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I came across this interview with Jamie Bell`s mum in the Evening Gazette today on the Gazette`s web site.

Although the article does not mention Jamie`s connection with Stagecoach, I was also invited to the 18th birthday party that his headmaster Mr Youlden talks about. I was sitting at the party with Jamie`s junior school headmaster, George Barber.  That is where I had first been in contact with Jamie, when he was a pupil at Prior`s Mill School in Billingham, where I taught for 13 years, before setting up Stagecoach in Yarm.  Jamie became one of our original students from those early days in 1997.  Jamie left us in the summer of 1998 just as I heard of auditions for a new film that was to be made about a boy who loved to dance. Although he had left us, and I therefore strictly should not have done, I rang his mum and told her to take Jamie up to these auditions. The next I knew was about 5 months  and several high-profile casting trawls across the N.E. later, Jamie`s mum rang to say that after multiple call-backs Jamie had been offered the lead role. Although I was obviously very thrilled for Jamie and his mum, I had no inkling (did anyone?) that the film would be such an iconic one - leading to a BAFTA for best actor at the age of 14 years for Jamie and an assured acting career into adulthood - magical! 

I was very proud when Jamie began his birthday speech, before cutting the cake, by saying, “Before I start I would like to thank someone who is here, without whom I would not have had the success that I have had”. I was looking around expecting his mum or his dance school teacher to be pointed out - but he meant me - which blew me away! The evening continued to be special when the “Billy Elliot” film`s director Stephen Daldry, who has had a star-studded career in film AND theatre direction, came across with his baby to chat.

The first photo in the article of Jamie and his mum also brought back happy memories, because it was taken at the multiplex cinema at Teesside Park where the “Billy Elliot” film got its own first local film premiere and I got an invite.  My abiding memory of watching the film is the wonderful transforming quality of Jamie`s smile on the big screen. I couldn`t watch the film properly for thinking “I know that boy, isn`t he doing a good job”.  Happy Days! 

 http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2010/01/09/jamie-bell-s-mother-speaks-of-pride-84229-25557638/

Received from Matthew Barrass` mum in Friday Darlington Stagecoach and now All Boy Dance Class 

Matthew loves the boys’ dance class.  He said “It’s the best thing he’s ever done in his whole life!”.  Obviously after such an announcement we have decided he should continue with the rest of the term.

 

Here is a message sent to the site from Annabelle Crosby who is currently playing Debbie in “Billy Elliot” in the West End. 

Hey Trudy it’s annabelle. I just wanted to know how the cabaret went and would I be able to buy a copy of the dvd? I hope all is well, and I’ll next be in on Saturday 2nd of may. I’m not to sure about you seeing me, but I’ll probably get round the company manager on going on that day. I’m so happy for Elliot! It was quite lucky for him to get into Oliver so suddenly! Have you seen Zoe Birkkett yet? I think she will be really good, but she isn’t on any of the posters. It feels soo good to be home… oooh i almost forgot. HAPPY EASTER TO DARLINGTON AND YARM STAGECOACH!!!!!!         XD
I miss you sooo much!!!!!! Just to tell you, Billy have found new Debbies, Billies and Michaels so therefore there won’t be many auditions for a while… I send my love to anyone who went for the auditions and don’t be sad if you didn’t get in. THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR YOU OUT THERE!!! You just wait and see… I will let you stop straining your eyes from this message and get off. God bless you! I LOVE YOU STAGECOACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bye xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pictured below from back to front and from left to right are :-

The DJ, Ben Hunt and Theo Close,

Lucy Moss, Clara Maddison and Robyn Wilkinson

Ciaran Cochlan and Alex Dunn

These students had volunteered their comments to complete the sentence “I like to go to Stagecoach because…” and their words had been chosen to make a 20 second advert to go out across the next three weeks on Alpha Radio. They spoke their own words in the recording to make up the advert.

The advert runs like this:-

COME TO STAGECOACH WITH US!! (spoken by Lucy Moss)

Everyone can join in. (Ciaran Cochlan). You`ll be surrounded by friends. (Clara Maddison). and it`s always fun (Robyn Wilkinson). It`s something to look forward to (Ben Hunt Thurs School)

We are real Stagecoach students speaking our own words. (Theo Close)  . Ring Darlington 337667,  where Singing, Dance and Drama (Alex Dunn) come alive (ALL)

They did an amazing job with only a little rehearsal and a couple of takes - that`s Stagecoach professionalism for you!! I`ll see if the radio station will send me the sound file and I`ll add it to this piece if they do.

Annabelle Crosby pictured below in the latest edition of “Young Performer” is home for Christmas after she opened in the West End in “Billy Elliot” recently.

As readers of the site will know, I have always admired Annabelle`s attitude throughout all the long months of uncertainty whilst she was waiting to see if she had won the part of Debbie.  I received the most lovely letter from Annabelle this morning and I have posted it here below:-

 

She also sent me this insert from the “Billy Elliot” programme and in it she thanks “all at Stagecoach”. Now we really know we`ve arrived - a mention in a West End programme!!

Annabelle will not be home for long enough to visit us back at Stagecoach but her mum is trying to get a date when Annabelle will be on stage, so that we can go to see her when we have our “West End Weekend Away”  in the Summer Term.