musical theatre – RUDDINGTON.info

West End and TV Stardom for Ruddington Performers!

21st July 202325th July 2023 Graham Wright

The bright lights of London are beckoning once again for two students from Ruddington’s very own ‘Fame’ school who have just secured major starring roles in two forthcoming productions. Freedom Dance & Performance, based at 7 Charles Street, has been nurturing local talent for over two decades, with its alumni securing theatre and TV acting roles throughout the country; as well as internationally aboard cruise ships! Since 2002, children and young people from all backgrounds – from Ruddington and further afield – have been passing through its understated purple door…

Freedom Dance & Performance

5th January 20215th December 2022 Featured Content

Did you know that Ruddington boasts its very own ‘Fame’ school?* The rather understated purple doorway leading into Number 7, Charles Street, may not seem quite as salubrious as the famous ‘High School of Performing Arts’ in New York City did back in the ’80s. But Ruddington’s ‘Freedom Dance & Performance’ has always aimed big – and consequently has found perhaps rather more than its fair share of ‘Fame’ along the way!? Principal Stacey Green is a fully qualified I.S.T.D teacher with years of experience both as a performer and choreographer. She launched ‘Freedom’ in…

Ruddington Dance Teacher Launches Racial Equality Movement

9th December 202010th December 2020 Graham Wright

A national campaign pushing for greater racial equality in dance has been launched by a Ruddington dance teacher. Stacey Green is the Principal of Freedom Dance and Performance Arts School on Charles Street, for children aged 2 to 18, which she started in 2002, and these days boasts around 150 pupils. She also co-founded ‘The Freedom Foundation’, which delivers dance, singing and song-writing programmes across schools to improve mental health. Now she’s set up ‘TIRED’ – which stands for ‘Trying to Improve Racial Equality in the Dance industry’. The movement aims to spark conversation…

Ruddington Library Reopens

12th July 202014th July 2020 Graham Wright

After almost four months of being shut due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, as UK Government restrictions continue to be eased, Ruddington Library is reopening its doors this week. The sudden closure on March 21st not only halted its loans and reference services but also caused the cancellation of special events, such as Henry Normal‘s planned appearance, and halted numerous village classes and group sessions which usually happen in the building on a monthly basis. Whilst some activities and usual facilities will take a while to return, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Libraries…

Ruddington Library Could Reopen in July

29th May 20208th July 2020 Graham Wright

As COVID-19 Coronavirus loomed large in the UK during March 2020, one of the many village facilities suddenly closed down was Ruddington Library. This not only stopped dead its loans and reference services but also caused the cancellation of special events (Henry Normal was due to visit!) and halted numerous classes and group activities which usually happen there on a monthly bass. The building has not been used since. Nine weeks later, it’s been announced by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Libraries and Archive Services, managed by Inspire Culture, that plans are now…

Ruddington’s Own ‘Fame’ School

1st March 20192nd October 2019 Graham Wright

The rather understated purple doorway leading into Number 7, Charles Street, may not seem quite as salubrious as the famous ‘High School of Performing Arts’ in New York City did back in the ’80s. But Ruddington’s ‘Freedom Dance & Performance’ has always aimed big – and consequently has found perhaps rather more than its fair share of ‘Fame’ along the way!? Principal Stacey Green is a fully qualified I.S.T.D teacher with years of experience both as a performer and choreographer. She launched ‘Freedom’ in our village in 2002 with the motto “Training tomorrow’s stars…

Louis Sweeps Up an Award!

25th September 20184th March 2019 Graham Wright

A 19 year-old Ruddington performer has received yet more national recognition by winning an award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’. At the weekend Louis Gaunt lifted the The Stage’s ‘Debut Awards’ accolade for his key role in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic ‘Oklahoma!’ after playing the part of cowboy Will Parker in a production at the prestigious Grange Park Opera House in Horsley. Louis is the son of Freedom Dance & Performance principal Stacey Gaunt and started training here in Ruddington at the age of four. His talents led him to being…

Louis for the London Palladium!

28th September 201728th September 2017 Graham Wright

An 18 year-old Ruddington dancer is getting his big break on stage in the capital this Christmas – with a five week run at the London Palladium. Louis Gaunt is the son of Freedom Dance & Performance principal Stacey Green and started training at the age of four. His talents led him to being offered a full scholarship to one of the top colleges in the country, the renowned Performers’ College in Essex, where he is now in his final year studying professional dance and musical theatre. Louis has already had a…