West End legend Ruthie Henshall launches new drama school in Bury St Edmunds

A new drama school headed up by West End and Broadway legend Ruthie Henshall is to launch in Bury St Edmunds next year.

Offering a new musical theatre industry preparation diploma, CAST will welcome the first intake for its three-year course in September.

Alongside the core performance skills of singing, acting and dancing, the course will offer students opportunities to develop additional life skills to ensure they are fully equipped for a lasting and versatile career in the entertainment industry.

A successful career in arts doesn’t just rely on high-level on-stage training, it is also important that young performers are equipped with all the skills needed to be successful off stage.

Ruthie, who has pulled in a variety of industry icons to develop the project, said: "The world is changing, as is the industry. A major part of our training at CAST is about staying relevant within a business that continues to shift daily.

"I am lucky enough to have been able to call on an illustrious panel of rising stars and musical theatre legends to develop a course and ethos that best serves our students as they start their journeys in this new world.

"Our 'icons' will remain at the heart of what we do, whether this is offering their invaluable personal experiences to inform our curriculum or teaching regular workshops and taking Q&As, making them part of our extended faculty.

"We want our students to have the opportunity to work alongside, to learn and to grow with a team of talented, successful, and extraordinary artists. Who better to guide them than the people who are currently working in the industry that they aspire to join?"

Claude Michel Schonberg (composer of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon), has pledged to run termly masterclasses with students, in person. He said: "Only practical experience in our industry can give you a complete understanding of what it takes to succeed and sustain a career in the world of musical theatre. With strong ties to industry professionals and Ruthie at the helm, this is what CAST will offer all its students."

Stephen Mear CBE – 2005 Olivier winner for choreography, Mary Poppins – and another CAST icon, said: "For me, inspiring the next generation of performers and offering the support and skills to help them on their journey is essential. CAST is offering a really special provision that will help to create both amazing performers and also happy, successful freelancers in our industry.

"After the last few years, there has never been a better time to reassess the balance and focus on the future of our industry.”

CAST is the brainchild of Ruthie Henshall and her long-time business partner and musical supervisor Paul Schofield, of Bury.

Ruthie Henshall’s stage credits include: A Chorus Line; Cats; Miss Saigon; Children of Eden; Valentine's Day, Divorce Me, Darling, Sisterhood; Les Misérables; Crazy For You; Oliver!; She Loves Me; Chicago; Billy Elliot and she will soon be appearing as the Wicked Queen at Wimbledon Theatre Pantomime in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for this Christmas.

Paul, whose recent musical supervisor credits include Hair - In Concert (London Palladium) and Oti Mabuse – I Am Here (UK Tour / London Coliseum), is a managing director of Three Pin Productions Ltd, which was established with Ruthie in 2012.

Training at CAST will begin with the musical theatre basics while each term will be punctuated by workshops and masterclasses from high level professionals, including CAST Icons.

To apply, go to www.rhcast.co.uk The three-year diploma will be open to 25 students per year, with fees set at £10,000 per year.