» Stage Struck
Meet Lora Munro, creative director and founder of The Theatre Workshop Performing Arts Schools
What is The Theatre Workshop?
The Theatre Workshop is the South Coast’s most successful privately owned Performing arts school, training children ages five to 18 in all aspects of performing arts.
It was established seven years ago in Bexhill-on-Sea when I was 21. We now have a total of six schools throughout Sussex from Chichester to Brighton and Eastbourne.
What is the school’s ethos?
To create unrivalled professional performing arts training for enthusiastic children of all ages in a dynamic, modern and passionate environment. Students feel able to express themselves freely and their unique talents are developed and encouraged.
What makes you different?
I am a performer with over 10 years’ professional experience as a singer, dancer and actress, which means I recognise the difference between a good singing teacher and a bad one.
I am fully involved in the creative process of all our classes. So many schools are run as a franchise, which anyone can buy, or they have only one area of expertise. I always employ people I find really inspiring to teach; it’s not enough to ‘just teach’ performing arts – my teachers have to have had a credible professional career as a performer and the relevant professional performance training. The kids really respond to that.?We also have the highest success rate of any performing arts school in the county for our students working professionally in film, TV and theatre.
How do you get on with stage school parents?
I have developed some wonderful friendships with parents. Often performances are not possible without the support of willing parents; we rely on that a great deal and have never been let down. Of course you do get ‘performing arts parents’’ – we are realistic with parents and kids about the opportunities available. Performing arts is a challenging environment for any child so support is essential.
Can you guarantee a personal touch and invest in a child’s individual development?
At TW we are all obsessed with our work and getting the best out of every single child, consistently going that extra mile. Everything comes from our passion as performers and for passing this on. Class sizes are kept to manageable numbers so each student can be individually encouraged. We have an annual parents’ evening and parents are welcome to visit our offices in Hove to discuss how their child is getting on.
How did you get into this?
I have been involved in teaching performing arts since I was 12 years old. I taught the ‘baby ballet’ at my local dance school. Then I moved to London to train professionally and taught throughout my schooling. The first school I set up was a way to earn a regular income to supplement the sporadic money I was earning session singing. I knew I could make it a success. Having worked at similar establishments I learnt what worked, what didn’t, and how I would make the idea my own. I have achieved everything I set out to do, which is fantastic!
What other activities are you involved with?
With the demands of the school my own performing career can only operate on a part-time basis! I perform in pantomime every year – previously with Christopher Biggins, The Krankies, Cannon and Ball and Leslie Grantham. I keep my hand in with professional choreography and session work. My big love though is flamenco. I have a wonderful Brighton-based teacher.
To what do you owe your success?
I listen to my hunches; they are usually right and I’m not afraid to take risks. I don’t allow myself to be down for too long, I see it as an opportunity to think of a better way around a problem.
Tell me about some of the recent success at the school?
Recently Christopher Biggins became one our Patrons. I worked with him last Christmas in Plymouth. He is generous and gorgeous and we are thrilled he has become a patron. We currently have Rosie Taylor Ritson from our Brighton school starring in Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang with Emma Thompson, and an Eastbourne student is a regular in Emmerdale and has been nominated for the Best Young actor of the Year in the Soap Awards.
When your kids do well does it make you proud?
I am extremely proud of every child who attends The Theatre Workshop. They make a positive decision every week to attend a school in their own time that encourages them to strive to be the best they can be and push the boundaries of their confidence. That takes courage.
What are your plans for the future?
We have a new Friday evening school in Brighton at Varndean School starting this month. Our current Brighton schools are at bursting point! We are pleased that the GCSE Drama course we offer is going well and hope in time to offer more GCSE performing arts courses. We are also training our teachers to be Arts Awards adjudicators – brilliant versatile courses in all areas of performing arts. We are constantly looking for ways to ensure The Theatre Workshop is leading the way.
The Theatre Workshop, www.thetheatreworkshop.com, 01273 733736.
