Former West End actors will be launching performing arts classes in Dorchester hoping to give children in the area a chance to shine.
Husband and wife duo, Alexander and Leonie Beck, met each other while acting in London's West End and have over fifteen years of experience in the performing arts industry.
Now the couple are hoping to inspire a new generation of young performers opening a branch of the theatre school Swish of the Curtain in August located at the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester.
The classes will be for children aged 3 to 18 years old, teaching them skills in drama, dance and singing, hoping to bolster young people's confidence, creativity and social skills.
Alexander Beck has shared his excitement about returning to his home county of Dorset to help teach young people "invaluable skills" to help them in life.
He said: "It will be nice for every child to have their moment of being a star. If someone wants to pursue performing arts professionally, we’ve got the wealth of experience to help and guide them.
"At the ages of seventeen to eighteen years old, that's when young people may start thinking about auditioning for drama schools so we would give them training and coaching.
“But these classes will help them to become a more well-rounded person even if they’re not pursuing musical theatre as a career.
"It will give them confidence and communication skills and it’s good to instil these skills in children at an early age."
Leonie Beck added: “Finding that group of people with similar interests is so important as you don’t always meet that certain group of likeminded people when in school.
"We're still reaping the benefits of being part of a group who have same passions as you. It's an integral part of whole experience of growing up and finding yourself.
The Swish of the Curtain theatre school was established in 1991 with a head office in Christchurch.
The Dorchester branch will launch with a summer camp from August 5 to 9, where children will get to work on two shows - Matilda for ages seven to fourteen year olds and The Little Mermaid for ages four to seven.
Classes will then be held every Saturday from September 14.
Mr Beck is originally from Poole however wanted to establish a school in Dorchester due to its strong artistic scene.
He said: “We wanted to go to Dorchester. It’s one of those towns that seems really interested in culture and the arts.
"It has a lovely community spirit; you can feel it straight away when you go into any museum or shop.
"Dorchester is a town that’s trying to show everyone how beautiful it’s always been and art will continue to thrive there."
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