New York! New York! Newbury theatre school’s once in a lifetime trip to the Big Apple
STUDENTS from Razzamataz theatre school in Newbury joined schools from up and down the country for a once-in-a-lifetime performing arts trip to New York City.
A group of 96 students from Razzamataz, including 10 from Newbury, travelled to the Big Apple on October 20 for an action-packed few days.
They stayed at the Manhatten Hotel in Times Square and visited memorable sights such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, a trip to the 'Top of The Rock' at the Rockefeller Centre and a morning in Central Park.
They also had dinners at the Hard Rock Cafe, Ellen’s Stardust Diner and Gayle’s Broadway Rose Restaurant.
What made the trip extra special was the performing arts workshops the students took part in with Broadway performers and industry experts. The workshops included a ‘Broadway rehearsal’ with the dance captain from Wicked on Broadway, Lisa Finegold and the musical supervisor for Disney, Michael Dansicker. The students learnt choreography from the show and sang an excerpt from One Short Day – one of the big musical numbers in the show, before going to the matinee performance of Wicked on Broadway later that day.
The students also took part in a hip hop workshop with star of the musical &Juliet Jasmine Rafael, where they learnt choreography from the show, and a jazz workshop with Broadway leading lady Judine Somerville.
Principal Debbi Ledwith said: “The workshops were an inspirational and insightful experience, and all ended with a Q and A with the leaders who shared some top tips for our budding young performers.
“We knew the trip was going to be a wonderful experience, but it far exceeded any expectations we had. The workshops were absolutely incredible, for our students to be taught by such a high calibre of industry experts was just amazing and something they will never forget.”
To find out more about the classes held every Saturday at Newbury College, contact principal Debbi on (01635) 905404, email newbury@razzamataz.co.uk or visit www.newbury.razzamataz.co.uk
