Another Big Thank You!

CELEBRATED CLIENT OF THE MONTH!

COMMERCIAL ROAD TOWN CENTRE MANAGEMENT

Wow Manic Stage Productions cannot believe that the summer holidays are over and just how quickly September is flying by! We were very busy with all sorts of bookings, workshops and activities throughout the summer and would like to share one of these with all of our followers. 

For the 3rd year Manic were invited on behalf of Portsmouth City Council to provide FREE activities, 'Things For Kids To Do' during the school holidays in the heart of Portsmouth's busy Commercial Road. This month we would like to take this opportunity to give our client of the month celebration champagne to the Portsmouth Town Centre Management Team for their continued support, bookings and help over the last few years. 

Manic's team entertained hundreds of children this August and gave parents that much desired rest, even if it was for just 20 minutes or so. With days out costing a fortune and the weather never being very reliable these FREE activities meant parents could give their little ones some entertainment without too much effort!

Alongside the city council Manic Stage Productions created a number of different themed activities so that each day was a little different. 

From pirates to cheerleading, west end stars to fairytale and circus to pop stars there was never a dull moment. Manic provided a table of arts and crafts with all sorts of interesting designs for the children to make such as key rings, crowns, pirate hats and masks, clown faces, decorations and cards. 

In addition to the dance, arts and crafts we also had on hand a very creative artistic face painter who wowed the children with a variety of styles and designs. This year as a little extra we also had awesome, shimmering glitter tattoos that proved a huge hit with everyone young and old! 

With so much for the children to do every Monday and Wednesday throughout August these activities really did help keep the little ones entertained. 

We would again like to thank everyone involved from Portsmouth City Council and the Town Centre Management Team. We really look forward to hosting events with you again in the future and providing you with more creative activities and entertainment next summer!

For any enquiries regarding bespoke entertainment do not hesitate to contact Manic and our production team who would be happy to provide you with more info and a personal quote featuring our unique specialist professional team. 

   manicstageproductions@gmail.com 

www.manicsp.co.uk

MEMBER OF THE MONTH ~ Michael

MEET MICHAEL

September's Member Of The Month

This month Manic Stage Productions would like to introduce you to another member of our talented team....We like for you to get to know each and every person that make up the Manic family, so here is a little bit about Michael to keep you up to date with who you might like to book this month!

When did you start dancing?

When I was about 8! The am-dram society my sister was involved with needed a boy for the Pantomime – so I was roped in! I loved it and was immediately hooked! I then went on to join West Lancs. Performing Arts Saturday School and later took modern, ballet and tap at Ormskirk School of Dance. In hindsight, I was very lucky to have parents willing to pay for and taxi me to all these classes!

Where did you train professionally?

After completing my A-levels I made the big move to London and trained at London Studio Centre, where I graduated as Head Boy with a degree in Theatre Dance. It was lots of hard work, but a fantastic experience. I got to train in all styles of dance, perform in the West End and made life long friends!

Tell us about your jobs since graduating?

My first job out of college was as a Parade Dancer in Disneyland Paris – that was a dream come true as I’m such a Disney fan, and I loved going into Paris on my days off! I then went on to work as a dancer for several Christmas and Summer Seasons at the Pavilion Theatre in Cromer. As well as dancing, I was lucky enough to be an illusionist’s assistant and help to make people fly and cut them in half! I’ve also spent the last few Christmases as a dancer in various Pantomimes at the Swan Theatre, Worcester!

What do you like about working for Manic?

I love being part of the Manic team; everyone was so welcoming when I first joined, I immediately felt at home! They’re a fantastic team and so lovely to be around. It’s great to be able to keep my fitness and technique up and work between contracts. Also I’ve learnt so many new skills through being part of the Manic team: Stilt walking, fire dancing and aerial hoop to name a few! Nicole and Matt always encourage us to expand our repertoire of skills!

Tell us about any specialist skills?

I trained as an aerialist before joining Manic, working primarily on aerial silks. I’ve dabbled in trapeze and hoop, but Silks are definitely my favourite! There’s something about being upside down, 10 foot in the air, holding on by one foot that appeals to the adrenalin junkie in me!

I usually train 2 nights a week (if not more) at Paradise Fitness in Fareham.

I find that my background as a dancer helps with the flexibility required for some silks moves. Aerial work is a great way to build up strength and stamina – It’s a long way down if you run out of energy!

Do you have a manic highlight?

I’d have to say performing as part of Manic’s 10th Anniversary Showcase at the Kings Theatre. It’s such a beautiful Edwardian theatre, not to mention huge! I work front of house there, so being on the other side of the Orchestra Pit was a nice change! I loved that we got to perform all of our favourite Manic medleys in one show. My favourite was the circus medley - as well as dancing in it, I got to go up on the silks. I loved doing the Fire Finale as well – that went down very well with the audience, it was such a fantastic atmosphere.

What’s next for you?

I’m working towards getting my aerial instructor qualifications! So hopefully I’ll be able to get all the Manic team up on the Silks before long.

In November I’m returning to Panto-land to work as Dance Captain on Dick Whittington at the Swan Theatre in Worcester! Then I’ll be back with Team Manic in January!

For all aspects of professional entertainment don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or ideas you may have.

www.manicsp.co.uk

manicstageproductions@gmail.com

JULY'S CELEBRATED CLIENT!

SCHOOLS OUT!

As part of our 10th year anniversary celebrations, each month this year Manic Stage Productions are thanking one of our loyal and deserving clients for their continued support and our great working relationship over the past 10 years.

July's client is 'Court Lane Infant School'

Court Lane Infant School in Drayton have had one of our talented team teaching all aspects of dance to year groups across the school for the past 4 years. We are certainly looking forward to dancing into our 5th working year with them in September!

Back in the year 2010, Manic's proprietor Nicole sat down with then headteacher Mrs Twigg to devise a solution to their PPA and PE needs. 

PPA time is time set aside for teachers during their timetabled teaching day to allow them to carry out planning, preparation and assessment activities. Its purpose is to relieve some of the existing workload pressures on teachers.

Working closely together Nicole and Mrs Twigg successfully created, wrote and developed a dance syllabus that complied with the National Cirriculum levels 1, 2 and 3. It covers all styles of dance and develops the children's co-ordination, control, creativity, confidence and capability. Each half term the children in each year groups work on a new style of dance and perfect a different genre with specific moves and skills. The styles vary from:
Pop Dance
Street Dance
Cheerleading
Contemporary
Indian
African
Tap
Ballet
and many more on request.

This exciting new syllabus is now available for all infants schools to enjoy and covers Year R through to Year 2.

​Compliance with the national agreement can put a strain on teachers timetables and we are aware that some schools do not have enough non-contact time available in their busy schedules. Let Manic Stage Productions help you raise standards and tackle workload by using our creative team to provide your teachers with the minimum 10 percent guaranteed PPA time required.

 If you feel your school would benefit by featuring Manic Stage Productions and their inspiring dance tutors, then call today. These professionally lead sessions are fun for all and Manic would love to become a part of your schools timetable and provide you with this unique service. 

Our PPA workshops have become very popular throughout Hampshire. We help in developing a school's PPA strategy by offering additional staff. Our unique and versatile teaching methods bring to life the national curriculum using dance and drama, giving pupils a chance to develop their creativity and confidence. 

Do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to discuss your individual needs to devise a specific plan for your school and pupils

Please contact us if you would like more information or request a schools pack.

manicstageproductions@gmail.com

www.manicsp.co.uk