JULYS MEMBER OF THE MONTH ~ Natalie

MEET NATALIE!

Manic Stage Productions has a wonderfully talented team of individuals and we like to introduce you to them and tell you a little bit about each and every one of them. This month meet Natalie...

Whats your dance history? 

I started dancing at the age of 3! Mum always said that I practically danced before I could walk! I began dancing at the Southsea school of dancing with Nina Brown! I went to primary ballet and never looked back after that! 

I studied all types of dance; ballet, tap and modern! I quickly began to realise how much I loved to dance. I also went to singing lessons and was a junior member of the Portsmouth players! I did lots of local theatre productions and 

also christmas pantomimes at the kings theatre! At the age of 12 I auditioned 

for the Royal ballet associates, and was lucky to gain a place at their weekend classes. I then went onto being a central school of ballet associate at the age of 15! And landed my first role as Clara in the nutcracker with the English youth ballet! 

Where did you professionally train? 

I auditioned at the age of 16 for many schools, and decided I wanted to go on and train at a professional college. I got into london studios on the ballet course 

and also Northern ballet, but decided I wanted to focus on all disciplines, not just ballet. So I also auditioned for Laine Theatre Arts! I was lucky enough to be awarded a 3 full year scholarship! So I decided to take this incredible opportunity! 

Tell us about the jobs you have done since graduating?

Since graduating I have worked on land as a dancer and dance captain at "Warner Leisure Hotels" with Bourne Leisure at Holme Lacy House and Bembridge Coast! I have worked for sea cruise limited, on the old Thomson Destiny as a dancer, sailing around Greece and Turkey! And I have most recently worked for Qdos Productions, onboard the beautiful Celebrity Millennium as a production dancer, sailing around Alaska and Asia! 

It's truly fantastic to get to travel the world and get paid to do what you love!

What do you love about working for Manic?

I love working for Manic Stage Productions! It's like a little family! It gives us dancers great opportunitys to perform locally in big events! We get to do a great class each week and be involved in some great corporate events and shows! It's so good to be able to do what you love without having to travel so far to do it, and do it at a professional level! It's also a great way to keep fit inbetween contracts! 

Whats your favourite Manic gig?

My most favourite gig with manic so far, has to be "Fort de Soleil"! It was so great to be apart of something so unique. I loved the routine and the whole "cirque" theme! And even gained a new skill whilst doing it! I can now say on my CV, that I can dance with fire! I must say it was frightening experience at first but also thrilling at the same time!

What do you love most about performing? 

I think my most favourite thing about performing, is being able to let yourself go and immerse yourself in what you love! I love performing and bringing joy to others. Dance is a way to express yourself, and I don't think I could ever express myself more than the way I do, when I dance! It's also lovely to be able to say, I love my job! And not many people get to say that! I'm not saying it's easy! As its not, you have to want it and work very hard and constantly keep picking yourself up after rejection, as there is a lot of that! (especially when your 5ft!) but all in all it's a very rewarding job! 

Tell us about your future contracts 

Well my next adventure will be with Fred Olsen Cruises, onboard MV Boudicca! I am very much looking forward to working with Mirage and doing another amazing itinerary but with a different company this time! 

I have to thank my family for always being so supportive and being there through all the ups and downs! But it's been so worth it! 

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know another member of our team and we look forward to introducing you to somebody new next month!

In the mean time if you have any enquiries regarding professional tailored entertainment for any occasion please don't hesitate to contact us at manicstageproductions@gmail.com

www.manicsp.co.uk

Manic's Member Of The Month - February '15

MEET MANIC'S 
MEMBER OF THE MONTH 

TILLY! 

Each month Manic Stage Productions like to introduce you to a different member of our talented team and let you find out a bit about who we are and who is behind the costumes glitz and glamour....

This month meet TILLY!

We asked Tilly a few questions about her life as a dancer and professional performer, where it all started, whats next and much more. Here's what Tilly had to say...

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of three beginning with baby ballet, quickly progressing onto ISTD tap, modern, ballet and musical theatre. As I child I loved everything about dance and continued to train through the grades and also took on jazz and singing all the way through until I was 15. To top of my childhood training in 2009 I was the winner of the ISTD Janet Cram Modern Dance Awards.

Where and when did you continue your training professionally?

Knowing I wanted to be on the stage I went on to train professionally at Laine Theatre Arts and was even lucky enough to be offered a Betty Laine Scholarship for her 3 years of training. I graduated in 2012 with a national diploma in dance and musical theatre which held me in good stead to go explore the world and work for many companies and productions as a professional performer.

What are you currently doing?

I have recently been away on the Ventura cruise ship working as a Singer/Dancer for Headliners theatre company and upon my return was excited to be back performing with Manic and the team! I am currently back in rehearsals for my second cruise on the Azura working again with Headliners company as a singer dancer.

We hear you have been in panto?

Yes for the past two years I have worked in pantomime as a dancer for the Wimbledon Theatre, pantos are so much fun and I loved being part of Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs and this year Cinderella. Each year there has been a host of celebrities and we have performed to packed out audiences every night.

Along with the above contracts I have also featured in a number of TV advert commercials for some major brands such as Marks & Spencers and have performed at numerous charitable and celebrity infused events.  

What has been your career highlight?
Gosh, I have enjoyed all of my performances but i must say that my favourite has to be going on tour with Baywatch star David Hasslehoff himself and being a part of his 3 man show as a backing dancer and singer. It really was such a great experience and a top laugh! Travelling up and down the country and touring with David was definitely my highlight so far and something I will always remember!

How long have you been part of Manic?

I have been lucky enough to be a member of Manic Stage Productions between contracts since 2012. As soon as my contract on Azura I will most certainly be back again and can't wait! I loves being a part of the team, it is made up of such a lovely bunch of people. We are all really close and supportive of each other it's like being part of our own little 
'Manic Family'.

Do you have a favourite Manic moment?

One of my favourite jobs for Manic has to be performing alongside Little Mix as a dancer and cheerleader at Rugby's Twickenham stadium, it was so amazing to be a part of and the reaction of thousands of people in the arena was a great rush and a day the whole Manic team will remember!
Manic Stage Productions is a great company to be part of. I get to sing and dance, performing for many corporate gigs and entertaining all types of crowds. My favourite thing about it is I never know what is round the corner or what venue I might arrive at which is such a buzz for the performance and every time it is different. 

Your final thoughts?

''I just love being on stage and performing, it's my life, my love not only my job but my dream and I love every minute of it and wouldn't have it any other way!''

We wish Tilly lots of luck in all her future endeavours and especially on her upcoming cruise in the next few months! We will of course keep up to date with her and see how she is getting on and just like all the other members of the team we encourage them to go out into the world and work and hope they always remember that they have a place here in Manic when they return! 

Lots of luck and Bon Voyage.. We look forward to seeing photos and seeing you again when you are home Tilly! 

For any information about Manic and our bespoke tailored entertainment for any occasion please visit www.manicsp.co.uk or send your enquiry to manicstageproductions@gmail.com

Manic's Member of the Month - Jan '15

Manic's Member of the Month!

*JESS*

This month we have chosen to introduce you to another member of our talented team, so you can get to know each of us a little better! 

This months Manic member is JESS!! 

Here's a bit about her and what she has been up to recently! Hope you enjoy!

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of three when my mum and dad sent me to ballet class. I was quite a shy child so my parents decided drama classes would be a real help in building my confidence. At the age of 10 I got the opportunity to perform on a West End Stage, and from that moment I knew that I wanted to make performing my profession. I loved it from the second I stepped out onto that stage.

What were your first performance experiences?

As a young dancer I was picked to perform with BALLET Russe in their performance of ‘Giselle’, performed in many shows at The Chichester Festival Theatre, and at the age of 16 I featured as a soloist on BBC radio 2. I also completed all of my major examinations in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, grade 7 singing and gained a distinction in my drama diploma.

Tell us about your training
I first trained at ‘ Emma Reynolds school of dance’ then on to ‘Art of Dance and Fitness’ in west sussex. At 18 I went on to train for three years at the prestigious ‘Laine Theatre Arts’. I had the most amazing three years there and learnt so much about the industry.

What was your 1st professional job?

My first job straight out of college was a world cruise performing as a singer/dancer on board ‘Voyages of Discovery’. I performed in musical medleys, cabarets, as a Vegas show girl, to Murder Mystery’s and Alan Ayckbourn’s short plays. We were certainly kept busy! I ended up accepting another contract on board shortly after.

When did you join Manic Stage Productions

I joined Manic in March 2013 and can’t quite believe how quickly the time has flown! I love being part of the Manic family!  

Everyone’s so friendly and incredibly supportive of one another.

Everyone at Manic is very busy, what have you been up to lately?

I currently teach Dance in the evenings for a local dance school and have recently returned from the land of Panto, in which I was Princess Jasmine In Aladdin. We toured all over London at different venues and was a wonderful new experience.

What have your Manic highlights been?

I’ve had so many exciting opportunities since joining Manic.  A few of my favourite gigs have been performing at Twickenham Stadium alongside ‘Little Mix’, performing on the Solent Forts and the children’s parties that we host are always such fun! 

Meeting every Tuesday for class with the team is something I always look forward to. Were always rehearsing or working towards something new and exciting!

To meet the rest of our team don't forget to subscribe and follow our blog. We have all sorts of exciting bookings coming up that we can't wait to tell you about, so watch this space!

For enquiries to discuss our bespoke entertainment for any occasion or corporate event do not hesitate to contact us at the following.

www.manicsp.co.uk

manicstageproduction@gmail.com 

Manic Member of the Month ~ February

This month we want you to meet our team member - Tony

SO HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PERFROMING?

I have been dancing since the age of 6 in and around Portsmouth and have studied in Ballet, Tap, Modern, jazz, Street dance, Ballroom & Disco Dancing. I come from a family with a performing background but it was always my choice to perform, none of this pushy parent malarkey. I performed with New Pantomime productions for over 8 years in there family pantomimes at the Kings Theatre Southsea. Over the years I got to perform with Lisa Riley, Lorraine Chase, Keith Harris and stars of Gladiators & Neighbours. One of the highlights of my career was winning the chance to perform at the London Palladium, performing alongside the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. There’s no better feeling than performing to an amazing audience.

WHERE DID YOU TRAIN?

I’m a local lad so I trained at local schools in Portsmouth. I also discovered I had a voice whilst performing in Joseph & his Technicolor Dreamcoat and have had extensive vocal training. I gained a BTEC National Diploma in Musical Theatre and have been performing professionally ever since.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR MANIC?

I first worked with Manic over Christmas 2012 performing at local light switch ons and themed Christmas party nights. As well as this Manic also got me a contract to perform at some local Christmas markets, which was such a great experience. I have now returned to Manic as they always have exciting things lined up, I’m currently teaching local school children drama & musical theatre in there PPA Cover sessions & Afterschool clubs. I can always rely on Nicole & Matt to give me a challenge and this time round that come in the form of stilts! On Saturday 25^th January I stood high on my stilts meeting and greeting supporters of the London Wasps Rugby team. I also enjoy it as it adds a few inches to my height, which is an advantage for a shorty like me.

WHAT WERE YOU UPTO IN 2013?

In 2013 I gained a year contract with Bourne Leisure who provide Cast performers to Butlins in Bognor Regis. I was one of two vocalists who performed in a resident band called #CodeRed, performing on breaks across 2013 singing in there two amazing venues. Over the year I performed with the UK’S No.1 tributes to Tina Turner, Tom Jones & Katy Perry. This was a great opportunity to make some new contacts and a chance to see how to start a tribute in the future. Whilst working with Butlins Musical Director Steve Etherington I was asked to feature on an upcoming Christmas album “Let There Be Christmas” with Santa & His Christmas Crackers, which has now been released in Europe. I also had the task of being Swing for the Skyline Gang at Butlins and had the opportunity to perform over the year. 

WOW THAT’S AWESOME! WHATS YOUR PLAN FOR 2014?

My plan for 2014 is to settle back into Portsmouth and hopefully get myself on the property ladder fingers crossed and perform/teach for Manic. I would have loved to perform on cruise ships like some of my Manic colleagues but thats not possible due to being such a shorty…. But maybe I should wear my stilts to the audition? Just an idea, have a great 2014 and remember for your entertainment needs choose Manic!

To book Tony or any of the Manic Stage Production team please contact Nicole on 07977478565 www.manicsp.co.uk nicole_manic@yahoo.co.uk