Sunderland Empire Stage Experience

Summary

Fame Beckons for North East Stars!

As part of Sunderland Empire's aim to encourage young people to get excited about live performance, budding stars are being given the chance to sing and dance their way to stardom, in the Sunderland Empire Stage Experience production of FAME this summer!

Now in its 7th successful year, Sunderland Empire Stage Experience is a two-week theatre summer school, which offers 9 - 25 year olds from across the region the opportunity to perform or be part of a production team in a professionally produced West End style musical.

Running at the Sunderland Empire from Monday 23 July to Saturday 4 August, participants will work alongside a professional director, musical director, choreographer and backstage crew to train in singing, dancing, acting and technical theatre, before taking to the stage for four live performances of FAME. If you're a performer who can also play a musical instrument at Grade 4 and above, then the Sunderland Empire is desperate to hear from you!

All participants are required to pre-register for an audition, by completing an application form, which can be downloaded from the Creative Learning section at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland or from Gemma Clough on 0191 566 1056 and sunderlandeducation@theambassadors.com. Completed forms must be returned, together with 4 passport photographs, by Friday 13 April to: Stage Experience, Sunderland Empire, High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3EX.

Auditions will be held on Saturday 28 April, 9am for 9-13 year olds and 1.30pm for 14-25 year olds, with call backs the following day from 10am-4pm. Everyone will be taught a song and dance from the show and then required to perform these in small groups.

The fee to take part in Stage Experience is £175 and includes two weeks professional tuition, supervision by licensed chaperones; loan of costume, souvenir t-shirt and a disc of production photographs (you may be required to provide some aspects of your costume). Sunderland Empire is also working with local schools and businesses to provide funded places for gifted and talented young people in the community. If you are interested in providing sponsorship, contact Gemma Clough on 0191 566 1056.

Based on the Academy Award-winning motion picture, FAME charts the successes and strains of a group of students attending New York's High School for the Performing Arts. Set over four years, this spectacular show takes the audience through the high and lows, pain and triumph and sheer hard work that is the daily life of star struck pupils in their quest for success and stardom. For some it's too much, but the struggle and joy culminate in a breathtaking song and dance finale that has prompted ovations across the globe.

Tickets for FAME THE MUSICAL, priced £9 – £17, are available by calling 0844 871 3022* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

• *Booking fees apply.