The 10th annual Sutton Coldfield Expo is coming on Saturday 28th September and Stagecoach Performing Arts, based at the Bakehouse Studios on the High Street, are expected to rock the community events stage. The Sutton Coldfield Expo, organised by the Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID, showcases the best that the Royal Town has to offer in terms of businesses, community groups and charities. The young people from the Royal Town have had an amazing year.
In addition to their usual commitments in their syllabus, they performed at the Chinese Community Centre in March for China West Midlands 2020 to a specially selected audience of over 100 VIPs and won a spontaneous standing ovation. In July they rehearsed for a ground-breaking trilogy of plays about the West Midlands` Chinese community and were rewarded with a surprise visit by a film crew from Birmingham Television, a media company and Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands. The visit from Andy Street at the Bakehouse Studios followed a performance by the young people in June with the Band of the West Midlands Fire Service in aid of the charity St Basils which helps the homeless in the region. The performance, Heroes and Villains, was held at the United Reformed Church in Brassington Avenue.
"Stagecoach has grown to become the UK`s largest network of part-time performing arts schools for children" explained Joy Thomas, Principle of Stagecoach performing Arts in Sutton Coldfield and Coventry. "Founded in 1988 over the years we have seen more than one million students unlock their potential which is something they will value for their whole life." Joy Thomas believes that acting harnesses many of the core social and mental skills that build self-esteem, an important element when going through school and life. By acting in performances the students have the opportunity to learn together and shine as individuals.
"We provide a thriving, nurturing supportive and inspirational environment for learning" said Joy Thomas. "Together, we make a difference to our student`s lives. Parents know their children are in safe hands because we adhere to the strictest child safety policies." In June the young people performed at 7 sold-out shows at the Midlands Arts Centre in aid of Cancer Research UK. In August the students from Bakehouse Studios then went and performed at the very first music and food festival in north Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield on Barr Beacon at the Rock the Beacon Festival.
"The Rock the Beacon Festival was over 2 days in August" explained Joy. "it was supported and funded by local businesses, performing arts establishments and local government departments to ensure that a new, quality community event like this was possible and viable in north Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield each year. Our students were there and performed and they had a lot of fun. It was a great success".
