THE BACKGROUND
For some years Ruislip Operatic Society, a leading name in amateur theatre, had wanted to establish a workshop for school-age children. ROS has a broad skill base with vast theatrical experience, and a willingness to share its talent with the community. At the time this manifested itself in regular productions and concerts for charity, at the Winston Churchill Theatre, in Ruislip. However, ROS wanted to offer something more to the community, and to extend its membership appeal to a younger market. Through a well-run and affordable workshop, we encouraged children in the area, already interested in live theatre and the performing arts, to extend their interest beyond school. We wanted to introduce those not yet aware to this very popular, personally beneficial and socially worthwhile activity.

THE CHALLENGE
In our multi-cultural community, there are many children either unable to afford to attend the private, commercial schools already operating, or not able to cope with the associated intense competition. Some children are simply unaware of the facilities available and the opportunity they offer in terms of social and personal development.

HOW IT WORKS
ROS StageWorks is a smaller, more affordable and more personal theatre school run more on the lines of a club than a commercial operation. The workshop has two age groups, 7-11 and 12-16. They separately enjoy 10 weekly sessions of 1.5 hrs on Saturday mornings, during the 3 school terms. It is located at Bishop Ramsey Upper School, in Ruislip.

THE STORY SO FAR
Spring 2007: ROS StageWorks has now been running for more than 3 years. At the end of each term relatives and friends come along to watch as the students demonstrate the acting, singing and dancing that they have worked so hard at.

So far we have studied script and songs from Bugsy Malone, The Wizard of Oz, Wind in the Willows, West Side Story and Grease, along with many other well known musical shows.

In 2004 Gill Barrett joined the team as our singing coach. An experienced teacher, Gill has encouraged the students to be more confident and to sing to their full potential.

The Junior class often make props and small pieces of scenery as part of their course and then use their creations to enhance the end of term presentation. Will and Jo Unwin organize special sessions to work on these unique items.

Both Juniors and Seniors study improvisation in small and large groups. This term, the Seniors have been writing and directing plays they have written themselves!

Dance warm-ups take place at the start of every session to get everyone relaxed. Both groups learn new dance routines each term.

Students have enjoyed a stage make up demonstration and some have visited the local theatre at the 'get in' for a show, where they witnessed the
atmosphere and excitement of live theatre at first hand. In fact, two students worked backstage for show week – during the school holidays, of course.

ROS StageWorks is becoming well known in the area and the students have been invited to perform at several functions. In 2004 all the students took part in the Uxbridge Big Fest - they sang songs, performed dance routines and then held a Street Dance workshop. Again in 2004 we performed at Winston Churchill Hall in a charity concert staged by the Ruislip Lions. In 2005 the school performed twice in Pinner Park at the local Fun Day - this followed an end of term picnic by the lake for all students, family and friends.

Many students have gone on to perform on stage with local amateur operatic societies, taking part in Oliver!, Children of Eden, All for One, Mikado, Annie, Music Man and Sweeney Todd. In 2006 17 students performed with Ruislip Operatic Society (ROS) in their full scale production of Fiddler on the Roof, some playing principal roles, and a large number of students took part in ROS's production of Oliver!. This production featured a split cast, with the parts of Oliver and the Artful Dodger each being played by two young actors - and all four performers being present or past students of StageWorks!

Each term ROS StageWorks holds a HALF TERM WORKSHOP when the whole school comes together for a 2 hour session. These sessions are great fun and often involve the use of props and costumes. So far they’ve included numbers from Scrooge, Oklahoma, Half a Sixpence, Barnum and Annie Get Your Gun.