PASSION and family have been driving forces behind one of Bolton’s first and longest-running academies.

For 30 years Dawsons Academy of Dance and Stage has brought music, dance and drama to the town.

It has been home to West End performers and television stars – and future police officers and lawyers.

Principal and director Dawn Dawson has seen hundreds of children pass through the studio doors and is as passionate about their journey as she was three decades ago.

She said: “Everyone stills comes back, it’s like a big family. It is very passionate and very caring.

“I now see students who have their own families and are coming with their children. I just look at them and remember when they were three years old!

“It is a really rewarding experience seeing those children grow.”

The academy started life back in 1987 and held its first show at Seymour Road Theatre Church a year later. Four years later it moved into its current home in Great Moor Street where its grown in to a multi-studio space fit for training around 250 youngsters aged from three upwards a year to dance, sing and act.

Dawsons Academy has come synonymous with entertainment in the town – it’s hard to find a major event where its talented teams are not helping to bring an added showbiz sparkle to proceedings.

Over the decades these have included The Albert Halls, Macron Stadium, the Mayor’s charity events and Remembrance parade.

Its performers have recreated everything from the magic world of Alice in Wonderland to Andrew Lloyd-Webbers’ Cats, Disney’s Frozen and Toy Story, Les Miserables to Lord of the Dance.

They have also graced stages such as Manchester’s Palace Theatre, The Lowry, The Blackpool Opera House and Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End, performed for the likes of Margaret Thatcher and shone on television in shows on Channel 5, CBBC and ITV.

It also hosts its own gala showcase as well as taking students through their exams each year.

Ms Dawson explains: “There are moments you could just pack them up and keep the memories. That’s what you are doing it for, those little faces and the pleasure it brings to their parents.

“The families and their support are a really important part of what we do.

“We don’t want to make every child a star. The academy is a haven and a chance to perform. It’s not a competitive support but a place where they can grow and become more self confident.”

The academy, which runs its own agency, has also celebrated some distinguished alumni. Among those who have gone on to perform on national stages and screen are Tom Glynn-Carney who starred in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and BBC drama The Last Post; Morgan Jackson who is touring with Broadway musical Mamma Mia; Grant Thresh who starred in Wicked; Hannah Wilson who has toured with Fame the Musical and performed in Singapore, and Max Brown who has hit the West end stage for the Matilda musical and performed in the Olivier Awards as part of the Guys and Dolls cast.

Now in its 30th year, Dawn, the teachers and school show no signs of slowing down.

On Saturday it opened its new theatre centre in the town centre in The Victoria Hall.

Designed to be a centre for its drama lessons, it is hoped the scheme will support the historic halls with ticket sales from all productions going towards its upkeep and maintenance.

Ms Dawson added: “We want to try and keep the hall going.

“It’s a very exciting time for us and we are proud to be part of the town centre.”

To find out more about Dawsons Academy of Dance and Stage visit www.dawsonsacademy.co.uk.