“You gain lots and lots of confidence” – Salford Arts Theatre searches for new young talent

Salford Arts Theatre is looking for new members to join its award-winning acting class for children aged 7 to 11.

Acting Saturdays is part of the Young Performers Company and runs every Saturday during term time from 1pm-4pm at Salford Arts Theatre.

Places have opened up because the eldest members are moving up to the 12-18 years class.

Owner and acting tutor Roni Ellis says places are open to any youngster. Previous experience is not required.

She said: “We’re looking for children who are interested in being part of a young company… there is no set criteria but we do encourage the parents and the children to commit.

“The children get to perform on a stage… they learn lots of new skills not just from an acting perspective, but obviously like most art forms you gain lots and lots of confidence.”

In the classes children have the chance to be “playful” and “experiment” with improvisation but there is a focus on script and ensemble work for upcoming productions.

Each class works on two shows each year. Previously, the 7-11 year old class has done Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a devised piece called Tsunami.

Eight-year-old Molly, 11-year-old Matthew and six-year-old Theodore regularly attend the classes and are all aspiring actors and actresses. The children have made a lot of good friends from the class.

Matthew said: “I like doing all the plays with my friends and seeing them when we’re out walking.”

Molly said that she gets nervous performing but when she is there she “really enjoys it”.

Six-year-old Theodore enjoys doing the warm-ups.

The theatre has a track record of successful actors and actresses. As a former home for the Salford Players during the ’70s and ’80s, the theatre has seen the likes of Sir Ben Kingsley, Christopher Eccleston and Robert Powell walk through its doors. Today, its writer in residence Libby Hall, who won Best Newcomer and was part of the Best Ensemble at The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2018, began acting in the 7-11 group.

For more information contact Roni Ellis on 0161 925 0111 or email info@salfordartstheatre.com.