04/06/2023
Dear all,
It is with regret that we have had to cancel our classes moving forward.
Being completely transparent it is just not viable anymore and the company has been running at a loss for many months but as I have been committed to letting the children perform I was happy to stick to my word and continue until the performance date.
Since Covid, as a company we have really struggled with space hire, the cost and also suitability of venue/noise. We spent 8 years building a very strong company in our own studio, for it to diminish over lockdown which has just been an uphill battle since.
We have made the classes as cheap as possible but still attendance is very low and since we decided to do a show at the actors request, classes have dropped in attendance significantly.
I feel very emotional as does Richard, our company will be 10 years old in January 2024 and it feels like we've stumbled at the last hurdle - not making it to such a fantastic milestone. I would love for a reunion towards the end of the year for students past and present to come together and celebrate our fond memories.
Over the years we've both taught over 300 students at Winsford school of drama and formally know Pea Pod Drama. Many students have gone onto acting school, college and have careers in the industry. Others have found ways to navigate their individuality, improved sense of confidence and character. Many close friendships have been formed which are still thriving now, this fills me with such joy to know that we have made a big difference in our small town. Many parents still stop us or contact us every now and then to say what a difference we've made to their child's life and how they are grateful for the space we provided for them to flourish when school or social expectations did not, we know we have not been a franchise type nor 'stage school kids commercial school, we have been a family and treat our youngest of actors like true professionals and value their input as a collective. Being honest that's always made us so strong and helped us create outstanding theatre which Rich and I will always be proud of, starting this company when I was 21 I never expected to still be here so for that I have to thank our students and families for who have supported us and pulled together over the years. Never a dry eye in the house.
We had fantastic success with our agency in the past, getting auditions for our students with Hollyoaks, Film & TV commercials and with the legend Nina Gold to mention just a few.
Thank you to Rich, Rich has always been our creative brains, coming up with amazing sets, casting and innovative ways to bring old stories to modern standards our kids can be interested in! Without Rich we would not have made it this far, especially since having my own children, Rich has been so supportive and im sure all the lads have enjoyed chewing his ear off about gaming over the years.
I don't like to say this will be it forever, I hope one day in the future the situation will be different and we can create epic theatre again.
Thank you for your kind support over the years and I hope to be in touch in the future.
For now, have a fantastic summer
Kind Regards Amelia and Rich
