Medway

Celebrating our student’s individual success both inside of Razz and out, is something we love to do here at Razzmatazz Medway. When we got the chance to help celebrate the amazing things all of Medway’s young people have done at the annual Medway Youth Awards, we jumped at the chance. Our students, put on an incredible performance at Priestfield Stadium and we want to extend our congratulations to all the well deserved winners this year.

Our seniors students before their performance of songs from The Greatest Showman. 

As winners of arguably one of the TV’s most successful dance shows, and having recently just finished a stint in pantomime at the Maidstone TV Studios in Peter Pan where they played Swash And Buckle, Captain Hooks right hand men Chris and Wes are used to thousands of excitable children, which no doubt came in handy when they headed to Medway to teach a dancing masterclass to the students of Razzamataz Medway.

Chris & Wes who are best friends danced their way onto our screens in 2011 winning Sky 1’s Got To Dance because of their amazing dancing and loveable personalities.

This attracted lots of attention and a very dedicated following. They’ve gone on to perform, present and teach all around the UK. They presented for Sky One during the following 3 series for the online segment which also included their very own Got To Dance Backstage Live Facebook Stream.

Chris and Wes have worked on various TV shows including, CBBC’s Slammer, CBBC Kickabout Match of The Day, Channel 5’s Gadget Show and worked for big clients including Sainsburys, Comic Relief, Sport Relief, Children In Need and Cheryl Cole.

Chris and Wes visited the school in Medway on January 27^th to teach young people of Medway a specially devised masterclass as part of the Razzamataz Theatre School’s weekly classes.

The masterclass was part of the students normal weekly classes.  As part of its pledge to keep up to date with current performance trends, Razzamataz works with professional musicians, dancers and actors to run special masterclasses on a regular basis to inspire and mentor students.  The students were treated to a commercial dance workshop.  For the youngest group, age 4 – 5yrs the emphasis was on introducing new steps and having fun. The older groups, age 9-11 and 12-18 were treated to more intensive choreography and stylized moves to really challenge them.

“It is great to share the experience we have had with the next generation of performers,” says Chris and Wes.

Each Saturday during term time, Razzamataz teaches dance, drama and singing, covering the whole performing arts spectrum and creating ‘triple threat performers’, that is performers who are equally skilled in all three disciplines. What sets Razzamataz apart from the competition is the very strong links the team makes with those working professionally to give the students lots of amazing opportunities.

“These type of masterclasses really give students an advantage if they are considering studying performing arts at college when they leave school because they prepare them for the real world of a professional performer” says Emily Miller,  Lead Principal of Razzamataz Medway. “Even if students come to Razz for fun, it’s really exciting to be taught by the professionals our students see on the television!”.

The students at Medway all attend Razzamataz every Saturday and during term time. Ages range from just 2 up to 18 and each week they attend singing, dance and drama classes and experience a range of styles from traditional West End musical theatre to pop singing and street dance. To find out more information about Razzamataz Medway or to reserve a place at our next free taster session in September, call 01634 893524, email medway@razzamataz.co.uk or visit www.razzamataz.co.uk

Theatre school Team in Medway takes on toughest challenge yet

A Principal and staff from a part-time theatre school in Medway have really got behind their students by taking part in one of the toughest races in the UK.

Tough Mudder is an endurance event series in which participants attempt a ten-mile long run through a military-style obstacle course. It was designed and created by a British Harvard Business School post graduate and a former corporate lawyer, and tests mental as well as physical strength.

Hayley and her team are part of Razzamataz Theatre Schools and entered the event with other Principals in the network to raise funds for the theatre school’s charity Future Fund and The Stroke Association, which has been set up to support a Razzamataz student going on to study full time performing arts in college. As part of its commitment to its students, Razzamataz will help finance a scholarship to train and will be offered to an exceptionally talented and dedicated student who attends one of the part-time schools.

Razzamataz has been busy with various fundraising efforts from cake bakes to fancy dress days. A few years ago, Principals, teachers and staff also took part in the Sheffield half marathon but the Tough Mudder was the toughest task to date.

“It’s an incredible achievement considering that many of us who took part have never even run this distance before let alone had to climb in mud, crawl through tiny passageways and throw themselves into icy waters,” said Hayley, Principal of Razzamataz Medway. “The day was fantastic; challenging, impossible at times, cold, wet and very muddy but overall it was a lot of fun and we are delighted to have raised funds for our students and we certainly will give them a lot to laugh about once we show them the photos.”

Razzamataz Principals, staff and teachers took part in Tough Mudder in the Midlands on May 22^nd. The event is designed to pull you out of your comfort zone by testing your physical strength, stamina and mental determination. The obstacles drag participants in mud and freezing water throughout the course and the aim is to work as a team because some of the obstacles cannot be completed without help from your team mates.

Hayley and her team have themselves trained at performing arts colleges and appreciate how difficult financially for young people it is today. “The Future Fund looks to reward students with the dedication, commitment and talent to secure a place at college,” says Hayley. “It is a real privilege to help support one of the Razzamataz students through college and I’m incredibly proud of our team who took part in Tough Mudder and helped another student to fulfil their potential.”

The Future Fund auditions will take place at Pineapple Dance studios in front of a panel of industry experts including a member of street dance crew Urban Strides and Jonny Bowles, a choreographer and performer from a plethora of shows including Billy Elliot as well as being the resident children’s director at The Sound of Music.

Razzamataz Medway offers a wide range of performing arts styles for children with classes in dance, drama and singing. Students experience various genres from classic West End musical theatre through to pop singing and street dance. In all sessions, the emphasis is on having fun and bringing out the creativity and unique potential in each and every student.

There are lots of opportunities to perform and take part in local community events, where students can get a chance to build on their confidence and get a taste of life as a professional performer. There are also many guest workshops where industry experts from the stage and screen come into the school and take a master class.

There is still some availability to join the school and find out about all the opportunities available. To book a free trial place, contact Hayley and the team on medway@razzamataz.co.uk or call 01634 893524 For more information.