Talented local dancer lands a spot at top theatre school 

A PROMISING young dancer from Balbriggan is one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a professional performer after securing a place at Liverpool Theatre School.

Nikola Cedro (16) danced her way onto an elite professional training programme at the prestigious stage school by impressing the audition panel with a series of exceptional performances, each designed to showcase the breadth of her skill and technical ability.

Nikola, who has been dancing since she was eight years old, attended Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, and trained at Kym’s Company Dance School, Drogheda, before landing a place at Liverpool Theatre School, whose patrons include dance legend, Wayne Sleep OBE, and West End theatre producer, Bill Kenwright.

The performing arts school accepts only the most talented students on its professional training programmes in dance, musical theatre and acting.

Boasting a long list of success stories, Liverpool Theatre School graduates have gone on to appear in shows such as Wicked, Les Miserables, Frozen the Musical, The Book of Mormon, Tenors of Rock and Blood Brothers.

Speaking on Nikola’s impressive performance during the auditions for Liverpool Theatre School, Principal, Maxine Ellis, said: “Nikola dances exceptionally well and she clearly has a passion for performing. We were absolutely blown away by her brilliant audition.

“She is extremely well deserving of a place on our professional dance programme and I’m sure she will enjoy the opportunity to hone her skills and develop her natural talent in preparation for an exciting career in the industry.”

Nikola, whose achievements include winning first place for her solo performance at the Five Nations Dance Championships in Wales, said: “I’m so excited about training at Liverpool Theatre School.

“I was delighted when I found out I’d been offered a place and I couldn’t wait to tell my mum and my dance teacher the news.

“I love dancing and I’m so incredibly grateful to have the chance to train professionally.”

Liverpool Theatre School’s elite training programmes are designed to give young people the skills they need to pursue professional careers in the performing arts industry.

The specialist stage school, which is rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, is the only place in the country to be validated by Trinity College London across all three disciplines of dance, musical theatre and acting.

Liverpool Theatre School also provides a number of fully-funded places and bursaries including the DaDAs (Dance and Drama Awards), which enable talented students who lack financial support to access professional training opportunities.