Welcome to

Footlights Prestwich

Contact: enquiries@footlightstheatre.co.uk or call Jo on 07956 423 895.

JOIN THE NORTHWEST’S LEADING STAGE SCHOOL!

Does your child want to learn how to act, sing and dance?
Register now for a FREE TRIAL

Where we are:

We’re based at
The Heys School, Heys Road, Prestwich, M25 1JZ

Your child is welcome for a free trial at anytime, for more information email enquiries@footlightstheatre.co.uk or call Jo on 07956 423 895.

About Us

The Footlights Head Office is based at Media City in Manchester, just around the corner from the main hub of the BBC & ITV studios. We were established in 2005 by our founder Jo Fisher, a trained actor and teacher, and who continues to have a hands-on role across our stage schools. Read more about Footlights and our history here.

We have robust processes to keep your child safe; all of our staff have DBS status and a trained first aider is always on site at each of our venues. You can read and download our safeguarding policy here.

What are you waiting for?

Book a no-obligation free trial today.

Do you live in or around Prestwich?
If so, does your child…

Love performing & dream of being on the West End stage, on TV or in film?
Want to learn how to act, sing and dance?
Want to meet & make friends with children who share their interests?
Does this sound like your child?

Then Footlights Prestwich is the right place for them!

What to expect?

During your child’s time at Footlights Prestwich, our tutors will mentor them to help them realise their dreams of becoming a performer, by sharing their professional experiences, as well as facilitating and teaching performance techniques.

Footlights delivers quality performing arts training and our aim is to ensure that each child gets the most out of their experience by building their essential life skills and instilling confidence, whilst having lots of fun and meeting new friends. In addition to core performing arts skills, they will:

  • Have confidence when socialising and in nursery or school
  • Be encouraged to talk expressively in a structured, yet exciting forum
  • Be inspired when taking part in discussions
  • Be listened to when building skills in decision making
  • Always be working as part of a team

Their learning will give them the basics and arguably the most important components of the performing arts.

The younger the child is when they take up an activity or interest the better, as in the right environment and with the right teacher they underpin the foundation to their learning and will already have a head-start on their peers.

You will find the Footlights approach friendly and energetic. We pride ourselves on inclusivity and being an encouraging company for your child to thrive in acting, singing and dance. We have superb progression rates from our schools, with the majority of our young students going onto performing arts colleges and drama schools.

We know you want to find the right balance between ensuring your child gets a good performing arts education, has fun and at the same time keeps up with their important mainstream education. We understand this, so this is why our method to developing your child’s Acting, Singing and Dancing will complement their academic studies. Plus, at Footlights, your child will benefit from the opportunity to take internationally recognised examinations through LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts).

There is also the option for students to audition for professional work in film, theatre and modelling via our agency, Footlights Personal Management (our recent successes include Game of Thrones and the CBBC series ‘KATY’).

Book a free trial today at Footlights Prestwich and see for yourself.

Want to know more? Why not take a look at our FAQ’s

Shows

Each summer, all of our children take part in a performance. It’s a full-scale show where parents/carers, family and friends can come and watch their progress.

The Autumn/Winter and Spring term schedules focus much more on skills and technique with a shorter informal presentation at Christmas.

The teaching teams provide written feedback each Easter, so you can track your child’s progress. We also practice an open door policy for anytime that you wish to discuss your child’s progress. You can use this form to contact us, or speak to us directly.

We hope you enjoyed reading all about us and look forward to greeting you and your child at our school – just sign up here or message us.

Exams

We offer both Arts Award and LAMDA exams – find out more via your school

Our Staff

Jo Fisher

Founder
Read Bio
You will find Jo in her Footlights t-shirt and trackies any Saturday at one of her four company owned units in Media City, Prestwich, Urmston or Wigan.  If you arrive between 9.45-10am, be warned; she’ll probably ‘persuade’ you to join in the most energetic warm up of your life! At 50 years of age she is more passionate and livelier than ever.  Jo is always hands on with classes at the schools as well as her franchisees. She thrives off the buzz of Footlights and of course inside theatre she and Sue have built over the last four years at Media City ‘The Empty Space’

Claire Oldham

Front of House
Read Bio

Claire has been a Footlights mum for nine years, so she knows us inside and out. She works three days at week at the Footlights Head Office ‘Head Of Merchandising’ as well as being a taxi service to her adorable son Matthew (sorry mum), she looks after everyone at Footlights Prestwich including the staff!. Any questions you need answering, or if you have any worries or concerns, Claire can help and put your mind at ease! email info@footlightstheatre.co.uk

Jennifer Hulman

Acting Tutor
Read Bio

Our talented and industry specialist Jen is an exceptional acting tutor, her warm friendly nature will ensure your child reaches their full potential.

She has many years of experience in teaching and constantly updates her training, she is also the right hand woman of one of the biggest casting directors in the NorthWest. in Manchester. She is also very experienced in teaching LAMDA grades 1-8.

Jen will help to build your child’s confidence, introduce new skills in acting and build on their existing ones. She teaches LAMDA examinations, improvisation, drama exercises, script work, directing; whilst encourages each child to reach their full potential. She has a real passion for nurturing young talent and brings her professional experiences as an actress to the rehearsal room; understanding the fear that some young actors often have.

Charlie Young

Singing
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Charlie trained in Musical Theatre at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before moving to London where she worked mainly in new musical theatre shows. Now based in Manchester, Charlie continues to work across the theatre and TV industry.

She uses her extensive knowledge of the industry to support the running of Footlights Personal Management, our in-house talent agency. Charlie loves helping children to build their confidence and supporting them to fulfil their potential. Charlie specialises in singing technique and acting through song and is fantastic at putting a show together. Charlie also teaches LAMDA.

In our singing classes, your child will learn how to warm up their vocal chords, how to use their bodies to create the best sound, they will learn breath control, how to support their voice and how to sustain it.  We’ll train them to sing in harmonies, a group as well, or in a duet. They will learn about composers from Musical Theatre, as well as sing pop songs. In class, we also encourage them to sight read and recognise terminology. All this is done in a safe environment where they will learn to relax so the voice can sing – we can’t wait to hear them!

Larissa Anderton

Tiny’s 3yrs – 6yrs
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All our tutors have extensive in experience both in the performing arts sector and education. In Tiny’s your child is taught acting, singing and dance in bite-size chunks, so that they can grasp the techniques easier, have fun and  develop a love for the arts from a young age. 

The Tiny’s concept is to prepare your child for main school. By the time that they leave the Tiny’s group, your child will be ahead of most 7 year olds who are new to performing arts. Our passion to teach will bring your child’s confidence to life.

Tiny's Tutor

Acting Tutor
Read Bio

Lara is new to us and she has settled in like she has been with us for YEARS! Lara came highly recommended to us by a leading dancer in Manchester, Lara is so full of life and expertise and aims to get the very best out of your child or teenager.

Lara’s day starts at 9am for a ballet technique class which is optional for all our students, then at 9.45am she conducts a big group warm up! This wondrful dance teacher will have your child breaking out in a sweat – so ensure they bring lots of water.

Lara  teaches all styles including commercial, ballet, contemporary and musical theatre! She really is one to watch.

Across Footlights we teach ballet, tap, contemporary and commercial dance and in a very supportive environment, we aim to get the very best out of your child and teenager. We work on technique, timing, style, precision and routines. We give our Prestwich students the confidence to open up and progress in their performing abilities.

Chris Deakin

Acting Tutor
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We are very fortunate to have Chris who is not only working constantly in the industry, but alongside his passion, knowledge and skills he is so patient and enthusiastic with our young poeple. Chris has endless credits but he is so proud of the work he does with your children and young poeple and provides fun, engaging lessons and spectacular shows. During acting lessons, your child can expect to learn about improvisation, scriptwork, acting techniques as well as what to expect in tv and film,

Chris also has excellent results in Lamda tuition – so do speak to him or us about getting your child involved  in LAMDA exams.

Ciara Booker

Dance Tutor
Read Bio

Ciara was trained at the prestigious ‘Bird College’ she comes with a fantastic knowldge base and some great industry credits. Ciara is a triple threat teacher here at Footlights Prestwich and she adores all aspects of her work.

Her choreography is exciting and jam packed full of edgy moves, she teaches all styles including commercial, ballet, contemporary and musical theatre!  Across Footlights we teach ballet, tap, contemporary and commercial dance and in a very supportive environment, we aim to get the very best out of your child and teenager. We work on technique, timing, style, precision and routines. We give our Footlights students the confidence to open up and progress in their performing ability.

My daughter loves Footlights. The staff are excellent. The online classes and support during lockdown has been great. We look forward to many more years in the Footlights family x

Cathy Fieldhouse

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