A well-established dance and stage school has helped launch the careers of many performers over the years.
One of the most recent success stories is Max Parker’s journey to making it onto TV screens.
He started off at Dawson’s Academy of Dance and Stage from the age of 12-18, before training at the Arts Educational School in London.
Max performed in West End Guys and Dolls at the Savoy Theatre, I Can’t sing at the London Palladium, and many more productions.
He has since gone on to star in the Vampire Academy, playing the role of Mikhail, Emmerdale as Luke Posner and most recently King Henry in the Netflix series Blood, Sex and Royalty.
Max has also appeared in Cobra, World on Fire, and Casualty, as well as the feature film Love Sarah.
Principal and director Dawn Dawson said: “I’m blown away with his achievements.
“Max and my students still keep in touch with me.
“So many students have gone on to do great things, and I’m very proud of them all.
“He had so many friends at the academy, and they still keep in touch.”
Another big star who took some classes at the academy and rose to fame is Danny Jones of McFly.
Before he was known as a singer-songwriter in McFly he was in his first band Y2K in 1999 with his sister Vicky and their friend Chris.
And he would use the academy’s studio to street dance, as well as take part in a charity show, and appearing on Blue Peter when he was in Y2K.
Danny has topped the charts and performed to sold-out arenas as part of pop-rock band McFly.
Dawn added: “They were a family band and used to come to me for shows, and the rest is history.
“They just have something about them.
“My pupils never grow up to me and they are still my kids.
“And I just feel pride, it’s something really special to see them get to where they want to be.
“Everyone who works with me is so supportive and we are a real team.”
Another student who has achieved a huge amount of success is Tom Glynn-Carney, who plays Peter in his first feature film, Dunkirk.
Tom has appeared in a range of TV shows and films, including Casualty, The Last Post, The House of the Dragon, the King and more.
He also attended Canon Slade School in Bolton.
The academy was established in 1987 and in that time has grown into one of the largest, and well known and respected dance and stage schools in the North West.
Students from there have appeared on famous stages including The Albert Halls, The Palace Theatre, The Lowry Theatre, The Blackpool Opera House, The Globe Theatre Blackpool, The Middleton Arena, The De Vere Hotel group, The Palace Hotel and Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End.
The pupils of the school have also raised thousands of pounds for good causes.
Some of the TV appearances have included the Disney Channel, Channel 5s (Don’t Stop Believing) CBBC Glee choir finalists, and recently the Vosene (Happy Shampoo) advert on ITV.
They have been invited to represent Bolton in Paderborn Germany (Twin Town) and have performed for celebrities including John Major and Margaret Thatcher, George Sampson, and others.
Many ex-students have moved on to top colleges around the country, achieving DADA Awards and have most recently appeared on stage in the hit musicals Matilda, Fame the Musical, Guys and Dolls, and on the new Wicked tour.
If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.
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