Welcome to
Footlights Bolton South
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
St James High School,
Lucas Road, BL4 9RU
Your child is welcome for a free trial at anytime, for more information email boltonsouth@footlightstheatre.co.uk or call Lisa 07773 183999.
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 Bolton?
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 Bolton is the right place for them!
What to expect?
During your child’s time at Footlights Bolton South, 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 Bolton South 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
Class Timetable
Saturday
Tiny’s Red (3-4 yrs) 9:30am – 11am
Tiny’s Blue (5-6 yrs) 11:30am – 1pm
Main School (7 yrs +) 9:45am – 1pm
Our Staff
Lisa Donnelly
Director
Read Bio
Lisa started as a Footlights Franchisee in 2010 when her daughter joined a Footlights School, she has felt so much admiration for the work that goes into the classes and the dedication and organisation shown by everyone involved. Now in the Bolton South area and having observed how Footlights Schools are ran, Lisa is passionate about children’s education and the Performing Arts and is determined that children attending Footlights get the very best from their fantastic classes and tutors.
Dawn Wright
Acting Tutor
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Performing arts has always been a huge part of Dawn’s life, for years, on and off stage and in a teaching capacity. Dawn has a BA Honours degree in Drama, Physical Theatre and Dance and a PGCE. In her drama lessons Dawn will teach, the rules of performing, improvisation, script work, devised pieces, monologues, duologues, comedy, emotional memory, visual arts, realism and surrealism. Dawn will take every child’s needs into consideration, to make sure they get the best out of their drama experience, whether it be to help build confidence or to learn how to be a confident versatile performer.
Francesca
Singing Tutor
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Francesca is a passionate singer and musician who has been performing since a young age. She started singing at Footlights at the tender age of 7. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience in Singing and Performing both solo and in groups.
Francesca has completed ABRSM Grade 5 Piano practical and theory, which has enhanced her understanding of Music Theory and technique. Additionally, she has completed her Musical Theatre grades in LAMDA, which has honed her skills in stage performance and acting.
Francesca loves to teach children because she believes in the transformative power of music education. She believes that music has the ability to enhance creativity, build confidence, and foster a lifelong love of learning. As a result, she has dedicated her Footlights career to teaching young children the joys of music. Through her teaching, Francesca aims to inspire her students to develop their skills and find their unique voice. She uses a range of techniques to engage her students, including vocal exercises, games, and improvisation. Francesca’s approach is tailored to each student’s individual needs and interests, ensuring that they enjoy their lessons and make steady progress.
Tiny's Classes
3yrs – 6 yrs
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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.
My daughter has attended footlights Bolton for a term now and she absolutely adores it! She has even missed friends birthday parties because they’re at the same time as her drama 😍
She loves everything she does and thinks the world of Paige and Lisa.
All the staff are lovely and have time for you and your children.
It’s such a warm, friendly place that I definitely feel confident leaving my child and know she is having fun, gaining confidence and experience as well as making new friends!
Thankyou Footlights Bolton xxx
Joanne Barlow
