Growing LATA seeks new faces

The Academy, consisting of 10 to 18-year-olds and affectionately known as LATA, was founded in 1994 and has received many accolades over the years for its productions, many of which have featured students who have since moved into successful careers in TV and theatre.

Traditionally, LATA has staged one show a year, usually held in November, but this year it is changing its format and is producing two – A Midsummers Night’s Dream in June and the youth version of the musical Rock of Ages in early December.

The hope is that the expanded programme will continue in future years, while the Academy has also decided to take time to look at the craft of performance by inviting professionals within the business to take various workshops with its students.

LATA director Lynda Clarkson said: “These are exciting times for LATA and we are really looking forward to staging two productions this year and in years to come.

“We wanted to explore more the drama of performance and decided on A Midsummer Night’s Dream to celebrate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth.

“The more new recruits the merrier and we look forward to seeing plenty of fresh faces.”

LATA is affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and won two regional NODA awards for its most recent production, Grease, which was performed at Lytham’s Lowther Pavilion in November.

Deborah O’Dea and Oliver Charles Dunlop won the Best Choreography of a Youth Production award, while Emma Campbell was named Best Supporting Female in a Youth Production for her role as Rizzo.

In both cases, they have been nominated for the same awards in the North West NODA awards being held later this year have followed.

LATA’s new member auditions take place on Thursday, February 25 at St Annes Baptist Church Hall, St Andrews Road South, starting at 7pm and anyone interested is asked to contact LATA student liaison officer Claire Louise via email at: [email protected].

More information also at www.lythamacademy.co.uk