A pair of talented performers from Stagecoach Solihull have experienced the opportunity of a lifetime, sharing the stage with musical theatre icon Kerry Ellis.
A Dream Come True for a Budding Star
Arushi, a 15-year-old student, was selected from hundreds of applicants to sing alongside her idol during the Kerry Ellis - Queen of the West End! tour at The Palace Theatre. The teenager, who has studied with the Solihull group for seven years, answered a nationwide casting call titled Search for a Solo Star.
Her previous performance experience, which includes appearing with Stagecoach at the O2 and Regents Park Open Air Theatre, gave her the creative confidence to shine in her audition. Kerry Ellis, the original UK Elphaba in Wicked, has long been a huge inspiration for Arushi, who dreams of one day gracing the West End stage herself.
A Full Circle Moment
In a wonderful twist of fate, an ex-Stagecoach student was also chosen for the performance. Sophie Grogan, who attended Stagecoach Solihull back in 1997, joined Arushi on stage. Sophie's impressive background includes playing the role of Mrs. T in Les Misérables in Birmingham, which led to a featured performance at The Royal Variety Show with the Les Mis 40th anniversary cast.
The serendipitous connection deepened with the revelation that both Arushi and Sophie share the same Stagecoach Principal, Jennifer Pando. Jennifer expressed her immense pride at seeing past and present students unite creatively. I’m so proud to witness past and present students working together on projects, she said. Sophie is an inspiration to our students, and it was a lovely twist of fate that both her and Arushi were chosen for this performance.
Rapturous Applause and Lasting Inspiration
Both Arushi and Sophie delivered outstanding performances that were met with rapturous applause from the audience. Kerry Ellis was so impressed that she commented she didn't know how to follow their act.
Reflecting on the experience, Sophie Grogan said, Performing on stage as Kerry, one of my musical theatre idols is a dream come true! She is nurturing the next generation of performers by sharing her platform and expertise. Thanks to Stagecoach for the training, it was a great experience.
This event highlights the impact of Stagecoach, which has a network of over 60,000 students and more than 3,000 extra-curricular Performing Arts Schools worldwide. The organisation is dedicated to teaching Creative Courage for Life, with many alumni progressing to successful careers in the performing arts, from blockbuster films to local theatre productions.
For more information about Stagecoach Solihull, you can email [email protected], visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/solihull or call Principal Jennifer Pando on 0121 745 4007.
