17-year-old James Tonge from Stone has a tough decision to make this Spring – having been offered places at no less than four prestigious performing arts schools following a gruelling audition process.
James, who has trained at Stone’s Rooftop Studios since he was just 4 years old, has been auditioning for places throughout December and January – and has received offers from Italia Conti, Laine Theatre Arts, Performers College and Guildford School of Acting.
Whichever of the offers James accepts, he will be in great company. Italia Conti is the world’s oldest theatre arts training school, with numerous stars of stage and screen among its graduates – including Sir Noel Coward, Bonnie Langford, Linzi Hateley and Pixie Lott to name a few. Laine Theatre Arts was established in 1962 and counts Victoria Beckham, Warwick Davis, Ruthie Henshall and Summer Strallen among the world-class performers, choreographers, teachers and director-choreographers the school has produced. Performers’ College alumni can be seen in West End shows, UK and International tours, on Broadway, appearing on TV and cruise ships performing worldwide. Ranked fifth in the top schools for dance and drama in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, The Guildford School counts numerous stars of stage and screen among its graduates – including Celia Imrie, Ella Balinska, Emma Barton and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith MBE.
Wherever he decided to study, James will follow in their footsteps as he builds on the skills he learnt in Rooftop Studios’ Stage Academy, LAMDA Drama and dance classes and as part of the studio’s ‘Vocal Smash’ singing group. Over the past year, he has consolidated his skills at the Jill Clewes Academy in Stoke where he completed a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts. Rooftop Studios’ director, Laura Keeling, says:
“We are so excited for James – he is a real all-round talent who has been fully committed to all his classes and a fantastic member of the Rooftop family. We’re hugely proud of all his achievements but in no way are we surprised – he’s dedicated and a fantastic performer and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
“We are going to miss him terribly when he does move away to study as he’s been a constant fixture at the studio since he was tiny – not only attending classes but supporting younger students and helping out at every opportunity. We can’t wait to welcome him back to give workshops and share his experience with the next generation of Rooftop alumni!”
