School of Rock - Production Team
SMTC are delighted to confirm its School of Rock Production Team, its a highly experienced and exciting team who are keen to make the very best of the opportunity to put School of Rock on the stage at Theatre Severn!
Director - Joanne Young
Jo brings to SMTC a wealth of experience both onstage and off, a longstanding member and performer for the society, who successfully took her first role as Show Director for our excellent production of Ghost The Musical.
Jo has 30 years experience as a teacher, 20 of which were teaching and leading drama, most recently at Prestfelde School and is ensuring SMTC that this show is going to SERIOUSLY ROCK!
We are so pleased to be working again with Jo for the Shropshire Premiere of School of Rock!
Musical Director - Lorna Parkhouse
Lorna has been Musical Director in 2 previous productions for SMTC, Wizard of Oz and Ghost both in 2022, she has taken a short break from supporting SMTC to take her talents to TADLOP's production of 9-5 and for a performance of Joseph as part of Wellington's annual festival. She has been supporting professional and amateur theatre groups as MD for over 30 years.
Lorna also runs 2 very large community choirs!
We are so pleased to welcome Lorna back to SMTC for this huge production of School of Rock, she is a highly experienced Secondary School music teacher and leader of over 20 years, a trained classical concert pianist (Guildhall in London) who has played throughout Europe.
She has a fantastic CV and is an absolute pleasure to work with! So we are very grateful to have her back with SMTC.
Choreographer - Ben Anderson
Ben is new to SMTC, this being his first involvement with the group. He is the founder and Director of the 7 Academy of Performing Arts (based in Telford).
From learning to dance locally before studying professionally in London (Millenium Performing Arts), Ben has experienced the training he promotes to his students on a daily basis whilst passing on his knowledge and experience from the stage and studio.
After graduating from college Ben went on to perform in the UK Tour of ‘Glee’ as Kurt along with pantomime seasons in Scunthorpe and Inverness. He worked as a Director & Choreographer for Polka Dot Pantomimes and worked on shows in Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Cheshire, Margate, South London and Leatherhead
As well as leading the vision and team at 7 Academy of Performing Arts, Ben continues to study for further qualifications with the United Alliance and aspires to train and become an examiner in the future.
SMTC look forward to working with Ben for School of Rock!
