Welcome to Northern Star Theatre Arts

Sunderland's biggest

Children's Theatre School

Our school headed by Geri Feeney a professional actress and Geoff Lethbridge an experienced international businessman brings you a new standard in Performance Arts teaching. It has been our dream to create a business that would make a positive impact on the development of the region, inspiring creativity and pride in Northern talent.

Geri graduated from London’s premier performing arts establishment Mountview Theatre School. Thereafter she enjoyed a successful career in Theatre, Television and Radio. Geri learned that show business is tough and to have the edge you have to have something special. To give your child the best start, in what is an increasingly competitive environment is essential and there we can help you.

Theatre is our life. There’s nothing quite like, the nerves of auditions, first rehearsals, seeing raw ability come together through team work and dedication to produce a great show. Nothing surpasses the buzz the audience gives at opening night as the curtains close surrounded with applause.

For Geri what started out as a hobby as a child, grew into something bigger. Making friends, sharing experiences in singing, dancing and acting was totally exhilarating, and fun and has stayed with her to this day. As a result of her seven years hands on experience in teaching performing arts for other theatre schools, she believes it’s important to give back some of the inspiration she felt as a child to her students.

What does our school offer? Well, importantly at N.S.T.A children's theatre school in Sunderland we offer a friendly environment, where kids can learn from people with actual experience of Theatre, Television and Radio, people who really care, teachers with real passion, knowledge, who if your child wants, can take them to the next level.

Naturally your child learns confidence, but more importantly whether they go on to a theatrical career or not they learn essential life skills, creativity and stretch their imagination.

So give your child the best start in life! Join Northern Star Theatre Arts theatre school in Sunderland!

Best Wishes

Geri Feeney & Geoff Lethbridge - Directors

Sunderland orphans star in Annie

A DRAMA teacher who acted on the West End stage in Annie now has her own brood of orphans to look after. Geri Feeney has a special place in her heart for the musical after she appeared in the London production of the show starring Paul O’Grady and Lesley Joseph.

Now, 13 years later, things have come full circle and she is teaching the next generation of Annie stars.

Eleven girls from her Northern Star Theatre Arts school, based in Sunderland High Junior School, have been hand-picked for a national tour of the show starring Hi-de-Hi’s Su Pollard when it runs at the Sunderland Empire.

Geri, 35, who runs the school with husband Geoff, said: “This is a great experience for the girls to be working on a professional show alongside established actors such as Su Pollard.

She added: “The producers had heard about my connection with the show and how good the school was and approached us to send some girls for an audition.

“It’s a wonderful show for them to be in. With some shows, children just sit there and sing, but in Annie the kids have real characters.”

During her time in the West End, Geri performed many chorus and understudy roles in Annie.

She was fresh from graduating from the London-based Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and it was her first major acting role. Geri said: “It’s funny because I had always wanted to be an orphan in Annie, but at 22 I was too old. I remember when I was 10 and the show came to the Sunderland Empire. I auditioned to be an orphan and was broken- hearted to be told I hadn’t got through.

“I think it’s a good lesson to teach the girls because even though I didn’t make it the first time, I went on to be in the show in the West End.”

After a stint in the capital, Geri moved back to Wearside to raise a family and start her own stage school.

She said: “My husband and I are so proud of the girls, we can’t wait to see the girls up there on the stage.”

NORTHERN STAR THEATRE ARTS

within

Sunderland High Junior School

Ashbrooke Road

Sunderland

SR2 7JA

Tel: 0191 513 0658

Mob: 07817 855 280

E-mail: info@northernstartheatrearts.com