Forty talented pupils from Swindon’s Lawn Manor Academy have taken a major step towards achieving another dream performance, having submitted their audition tape for the opportunity to perform at Disneyland Paris next summer.
The group, made up of 30 dancers and 10 musicians, is hoping to secure a coveted place on Disneyland Paris’ Videopolis stage, which is famous for hosting shows including Beauty and The Beast, Mulan and The Lion King. If successful, the pupils will not only perform in front of guests from around the world but they will also take part in exclusive dance and musical theatre workshops led by Disney Cast Members, providing an invaluable insight into the world of professional performance.
Pupils have dedicated countless hours to choreographing and rehearsing their routine, giving up time between lessons, after school and during free periods to ensure their performance showcases their creativity, teamwork and home-grown talent.
If successful, it will be Lawn Manor Academy’s second performance at Disneyland Paris, having previously performed there in 2022. It would also build on the success of last summer, when pupils represented the school on an international stage with a performance in Times Square, New York and workshops delivered by professional Broadway dancers.
Head of Dance at Lawn Manor Academy, Natasha Dixon, explained: “For subjects like dance and performing arts especially, it’s so important to be able to not only learn from professionals, but to also be able to go to as many places as possible and experience what it’s like being backstage and part of a professional theatre production. If we’re lucky enough to go through to the next stage, the pupils will be in for an incredibly rewarding but busy trip, as they’ll be straight into rehearsals, performing and workshops, as well as having the opportunity to see Disney Cast Members perform on the same stage they were on and also see more of Paris too.
“There’s going to be a lot of competition from schools, professional dance schools and clubs for this opportunity. However, our pupils have been determined to do their best and have given up so much of their time to make sure that they’re proud of the audition they’ve submitted. Some of the pupils taking part haven’t danced before and they’ve worked really hard to develop their skills. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, resilience and passion shown by every pupil and we are keeping everything crossed that they will have the opportunity to represent Lawn Manor Academy once again on the magical stage at Disneyland Paris next summer.”
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust. For more information, visit www.lawnmanor.org.
