STAGE 84 PERFORMING ARTS LIMITED - Key Persons
As a former student of Stage 84 and a highly respected current star of stage and screen, we are pleased to welcome Emma Williams as our newest patron. Emma is a 4-time Olivier Award nominee and a What's On Stage award-winning actress, singer and dancer. She has recently performed leading roles in such productions as Mrs Henderson Presents, White Christmas and Half A Sixpence.
"Stage 84 - The Yorkshire School of Performing Arts is an inspiration. As patron I have been honoured to sit in the auditorium and watch many of their shows. I am always filled with pride at the level of performance and the professionalism of the young people. It is reassuring that there is a whole generation of up and coming performers who will grace our stage and screen with their talent."
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Patron of Stage 84, and as a retired Speech and Drama teacher myself I appreciate all the effort that goes into your shows. They are always inspiring and enjoyable productions, showcasing children of all ages and abilities at their very best."
Valerie Jackson is a qualified teacher who trained at Margaret McMillan Memorial Training College, Bradford. She qualified at nineteen years of age and became the youngest teacher in Bradford. She taught in schools for 30 years, specialising in Drama. She has performed in musicals, plays and has appeared in films and on television.
Valerie founded Stage 84 in 1984 and the school has since become one of the most successful schools of performing arts in the North of England. She was presented to the Queen, as Principal of Stage 84 in 1997. Valerie and her late husband, Peter, wrote the musical 'Ellis' for Stage 84 which was performed in London at the South Bank and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The musical received acclaimed reviews. Valerie was awarded 'Best Director' at the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre awards ceremony in 2004 for Stage 84's production of Spectacular 2003 at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. In 2008 she was presented with the 'Spirit of Theatre' award. This is a lifetime achievement award for services to youth theatre and as founder of Stage 84. In April 2010, her students performed together with students from Germany and Holland in a new musical to celebrate the 2010 European Capital of Culture, performing in Hamm, Germany and in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. In December 2009 Valerie was awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Years Honours List, for services to the arts in the North of England. She received her award from Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace.
We are delighted to be welcome Rosie as our newest patron, whom having attended classes here for many years and played many principal roles in our shows, has since forged a very successful career in radio.
"I spent many happy years as a student of Stage 84 growing up, all of which I look back upon fondly. Now as a patron of the school I look forward to seeing the pupils progress and develop into wonderful confident young people. I learnt valuable key skills during my time as a student of Stage 84 that have helped me progress throughout my career as both a performer and a presenter."
"Firstly as Patron and now having the honour of being your Stage 84 President has allowed me to fully appreciate the incredible success enjoyed by Stage 84 under Valerie Jackson's leadership these last 25+ years. I always enjoy the stage shows and musicals and the prize giving is equally both a challenge and an incredibly enjoyable event seeing all the enthusiasm of her students. My thanks to all those professional staff and volunteers who are part of this great Yorkshire story."
"I should be very happy to become a patron of your school being full of praise for what I have seen as a result of your training."