Horsham and Haywards Heath young performers ensure the show goes on

Students of the Act Too Arts Academy in Horsham and Haywards Heath have beaten the social distancing measures – while not breaking any of the rules – to carry on performing.
MARS  Eve Milton as Emma ReaderMARS  Eve Milton as Emma Reader
MARS Eve Milton as Emma Reader

Act Too went online with their Saturday morning drama, dance and singing sessions in the very first week of the lockdown and have continued to run a live show every weekend since.

The group continue to offer a YouTube Saturday morning LIVE! show at 10.30am on their channel – all part of keeping going despite challenging times for budding young actors and performers everywhere.

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Students send in video responses to the exercises set by tutors each week and these are shared with everyone on the Saturday morning live show.

“What’s more, this service is being provided totally free of charge and is not restricted to academy students,” says principal Lance Milton.

“Any and all youngsters and their families are welcome to watch and join in and many have, from as far as Manchester!

“However it is not only the Saturday mornings that have been keeping students connected and occupied.

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“They have also managed to continue with their holiday workshops.

“These are a unique offering that has previously been called We Made a Musical and involve students writing and performing a full one-act musical in just five days.

“We were not sure how or if this unique experience might translate online as these sessions are so dynamic and rely on our wonderful team of tutors.

“But with Zoom, WhatsApp and a heck of a lot of dedication from the students, we did it.

“And we did it twice!”

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During the Easter holidays and the May half term, Act Too tutors worked via the online portals to guide, develop and encourage the workshop performers to write their own show including songs.

“The results were amazing and way better than we had expected” says Lance, who has been at the Act Too helm for 25 years this year.

“The students worked so hard and there is nothing that can beat the incredible imagination and energy of our budding young performers.

“They really did us and themselves proud.

“Both of the resulting films are available publicly on the Act Too Arts Academy YouTube channel and are great family friendly entertainment.

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“The Easter show was titled STARS and focused on the wonderful job our fabulous NHS have been doing during the pandemic.

“The most recent movie musical, MARS – The Musical, is a commentary on and solution to the predicament our theatre industry is facing due to social distancing.

“It comes up with a solution to the problem.”

Lance urges anyone looking for some truly original and enjoyable lockdown entertainment to click on the links and savour all the lockdown fun his young performers have come up with.

You can see STARS on https://youtu.be/HcGhedTZvOQAnd you can see MARS - The Musical on https://youtu.be/wLm4iq1-OtQJust like their Saturday morning academy, Act Too are offering places on their future online workshops free of charge until they can re-open physically.

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“So if you would like to be a star in the next musical film or simply tune in or join in on Saturdays, then visit www.ActTooAcademy.co.uk,” Lance said.

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