West End and Broadway favourite Ruthie Henshall has unveiled plans to open a new drama school offering a three-year diploma in Musical Theatre Industry Preparation.
The brainchild of Henshall and her long-time business partner and musical supervisor Paul Schofield and supported by a number of high-profile industry names, CAST will be based in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and will welcome its first intake of students in September 2023.
Announcing the project, Henshall said: “The world is changing, as is the industry. A major part of our training at CAST is about staying relevant within a business that continues to shift daily. I am lucky enough to have been able to call on an illustrious panel of rising stars and musical theatre legends to develop a course and ethos that best serves our students as they start their journeys in this new world.
“Our ‘Icons’ will remain at the heart of what we do, whether this is offering their invaluable personal experiences to inform our curriculum or teaching regular workshops and taking Q&As, making them part of our extended faculty.”
Alongside the core performance skills of singing, acting and dancing, the course will offer students opportunities to develop additional life skills to ensure that they are fully equipped for a lasting and versatile career in the entertainment industry.
Supporters of the project include Claude-Michel Schönberg who has pledged to run termly in-person masterclasses with students. The composer of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon commented: “Only practical experience in our industry can give you a complete understanding of what it takes to succeed and sustain a career in the world of musical theatre. With strong ties to industry professionals and Ruthie at the helm, this is what CAST will offer all its students.”
Fellow CAST ‘Icon’ Stephen Mear (2005 Olivier Award winner for his choreography for Mary Poppins) added “For me, inspiring the next generation of performers and offering the support and skills to help them on their journey is essential. CAST are offering a really special provision that will help to create both amazing performers and also happy, successful freelancers in our industry. After the last few years, there has never been a better time to reassess the balance and focus on the future of our industry.”
CAST’s academic in-house staff will be headed by experienced educator Gary Willis who said: “This project is thrilling! I have long believed it is vital that training changes to match the needs of the art form if it is to survive. We have a unique opportunity to craft a qualification which is relevant, not dated, dynamic, not stilted and free to change quickly, unencumbered by the restrictions of academia. Trained by current leading professionals and catering to each individual artist, ensuring that what makes them unique will truly shine!
“Our cohort may be drawn from anywhere in the world and must be diverse to reflect the world we live in and create on stage. CAST will be exceptional and CAST students with live out loud.”
Each year will include a final performance in a professional venue with the final third year performance taking place in a London theatre.
One of the UK’s most accomplished musical theatre leading ladies, Henshall was the first British actress to play all three female leading roles in Chicago (Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and Mama Morton). The multi-award-winning actress’ three decades in the spotlight have taken her from the West End to Broadway and back again. Henshall’s credits include Les Misérables, She Loves Me, CATS, Miss Saigon, Billy Elliot and Putting It Together.
Angela Thomas
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