Leamington young performers extend to Kenilworth

The Young Performers Institute (YPI) is a performing arts school specialising in working with young people aged from eight to 18.

Offering classes in dance, drama and advanced acting techniques, the YPI was established in Leamington in June last year.

The school is led by Peter Davis and Rachel Walker, both of whom have extensive experience as writers, directors, performers and teachers of performing arts.

They have said: “Our whole ethos is to get our members out performing in front of as many different audiences as we possibly can, while giving them solid training in both theatre skills and dance.

“We have contacts and colleagues within the professional industry, and are always looking for our members to perform not only for a hobby or fun, but also to gain experience as professional artists.”

In their first year with the school YPI’s members performed at a variety of venues and to a whole range of audiences.

They appeared in their own play Forever and Always at the Priory Theatre, headlined the Christmas Lights Switch-On event in Leamington and were part of a dance performance in front of 20,000 people at the Olympia Stadium in London.

From Wednesday the school will be holding classes at Parochial Hall in Kenilworth.

Peter and Rachel said: “We will be offering the performance theatre class to students in Kenilworth, with the aim of getting a second group of talented young people out performing as soon as possible.

“We already have lots of plans for the Kenilworth YPI, including performances of both scripted and original pieces of drama.”

Also, to celebrate its first year, YPI is running a number of activities.

During the month of August, it will be running two separate summer schools, one drama week, culminating in a performance to local theatre directors and producers, and one week based around a range of dance styles.

On Saturday July 14, members will be performing in a celebratory showcase in which they will be showcasing brand new pieces of dance and drama, as well as excerpts of the successes of the previous year.

Tickets are on sale now.

For more information about YPI call 07527375319 or visit www.youngperformersinstitute.co.uk