Laine Theatre Arts, sometimes referred to as Laines, is an independent performing arts college, based in the town of Epsom in Surrey, England. The college was founded in 1974 by former professional dancer and dance teacher Betty Laine OBE,[1][2] and developed from an earlier school, the Frecker-Laine School of Dancing. It provides specialist vocational training in dance and musical theatre.
| Laine Theatre Arts | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
East Street Epsom , Surrey , KT17 1HH United Kingdom | |
| Coordinates | 51°20′05″N 0°15′48″W / 51.3348°N 0.2633°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent FE College |
| Motto | performing arts excellence |
| Established | 1974 |
| Founder | Betty Laine, OBE |
| Specialist | Performing Arts |
| Department for Education URN | 50012 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 16+ |
| Website | http://www.laine-theatre-arts.co.uk |
The college prepares students for a professional career in the performing arts.[1] The college is accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training and it offers Qualifications and Curriculum Authority recognised qualifications validated by the Trinity College London. Key areas of study include singing, acting and dancing. It was rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted in 2016.[3]
Overview
editLaine Theatre Arts provides specialist vocational training at further and higher education level in dance and musical theatre. The college prepares students for a professional career in the performing arts and has a history of feeding artists into West End theatre, dance companies, television, film, pop music and other high-profile areas of the entertainments industry all over the world.
Training
editThe college offers four tracks of study, covering vocational, professional training in the performing arts:
- Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance validated by Trinity College London
- Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre validated by Trinity College London
- Laine Theatre Arts Foundation Diploma (1 Year) in Dance and Musical Theatre
- BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Unique one year post level 5 Diploma, Top Up Honours Degree. Validated by the University for the Creative Arts.
Both Diploma courses are accredited by Trinity College London and are recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The college is also accredited to the Council for Dance Education and Training. Many student places at the college are funded by the British Government through the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) scheme.
The college is also an approved centre of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Students have the opportunity to gain nationally recognised dance teaching qualifications with the organisation, in ballet, tap and modern theatre dance.
The college stages an annual production at the local 'Epsom Playhouse' theatre.
The college also offers evening adult dance classes, for both beginners and the already initiated.
Patrons
editNotable alumni
edit- Victoria Beckham,[2][4] Fashion Designer and Spice Girl.
- Charlie Bruce, Dancer
- Karen Bruce, Choreographer and Director
- Warwick Davis[5]
- Louise Dearman, West End Star.
- Louise Ekland,[6] French TV Star.
- Kerry Ellis,[7] West End and Broadway Star.
- Jo Gibb, West End star.
- Sean Ghazi, Singer and Actor
- Sarah Hadland,[8] TV Star.
- Ruthie Henshall,[7] West End & Broadway Star
- Lee Latchford-Evans, from Steps
- Enda Markey, Theatre Producer [9]
- Gerard McCarthy, Actor
- Anu Palevaara
- Dominique Provost-Chalkley[10]
- Aaron Renfree
- Ben Richards,[7] Actor
- Leanne Rowe
- Alex Sawyer
- Charlie Stemp, West End and Broadway Star.
- Summer Strallen, Actor.
- Hayley Tamaddon, Stage and TV Star.
- Nick Winston, Director and Choreographer
References
edit- ^ a b "About us". Laine Theatre Arts. 2013. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ a b Foster, Alice (21 December 2012). "Epsom's Laine Theatre Arts trained Victoria Beckham and Viva Forever! star". Surrey Comet. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Outstanding in all areas 2016". Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
- ^ Barbara, Ellen (2 November 2003). "Watch this Spice". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2007.
- ^ Ryder, Liam (30 April 2022). "Warwick Davis' quiet life in Epsom - from growing up in Surrey to lucky Star Wars break". Surrey Live. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ France Television documentary aired on 6 May 2023
- ^ a b c Forster, Alice (22 March 2013). "Students dream of stardom at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom". Sutton and Croydon Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Sarah's big break as star of Confetti". Wilmslow Express. 24 May 2006. Archived from the original on 9 April 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
- ^ "About – Enda Markey Presents".
- ^ "Dominique Provost-Chalkley". Syfy. 8 March 2016. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.