After being awarded the Sir Ken Dodd scholarship at Liverpool Theatre School, a young performer from Southport is one step closer to realising his dream of becoming a professional musical theatre star.
Nathan Power (16) won the prestigious musical theatre bursary for a three-year diploma course at the elite performing arts school after impressing an audition panel with his singing, dancing, and acting abilities.
The former Meols Cop High School student, who trained with Julie Ann Carr, Southport Dance Academy, and King’s School of Dance, competed against hundreds of other talented young people for the coveted Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation scholarship.
Nathan, a talented performer with a bright future, has appeared in a number of shows at local theatres and is a member of the BOS Musical Theatre Company. He now hopes to join the ranks of Liverpool Theatre School alumni who have appeared in smash-hit shows such as SIX, Blood Brothers, Wicked, and the West End adaptation of Frozen.
Liverpool Theatre School’s Norah Button said:
“Nathan has real natural talent and an obvious passion for musical theatre. His audition performance was exceptional and he is very well deserving of this special scholarship, which honours the legacy of one of the greatest entertainers of our time.
“Sir Ken Dodd was a dear friend and as a patron of Liverpool Theatre School he was always eager to support emerging local talent. We’re incredibly grateful to the Ken Dodd Foundation for this scholarship and we’re looking forward to welcoming Nathan to Liverpool Theatre School.”
Lady Anne Dodd, wife of Sir Ken Dodd, added:
“It’s been wonderful to meet Nathan, who is clearly a very talented young man and a worthy recipient of this scholarship. We’re very pleased to be able to support him on his musical theatre journey as he begins training at the fabulous Liverpool Theatre School. Congratulations Nathan!”
Speaking on his achievement, Nathan said:
“I was so excited to find out I’d been given the Sir Ken Dodd scholarship. I saw my first show, Carousel, at Southport Little Theatre at the age of four and then landed my first role in Whistle Down the Wind with BOS musical theatre company a year later. I’ve been performing ever since. Having the chance to train professionally is like a dream come true. I’d love to perform in the West End one day. I can’t wait to start training at Liverpool Theatre School, I’m really lucky to have such an amazing opportunity.”
The Ofsted ‘outstanding’ rated Liverpool Theatre School accepts only the most gifted students and offers industry recognised Trinity and BTEC qualifications in dance, musical theatre, and acting, all of which are designed to prepare young people for a life as professional performers.
Liverpool Theatre School produces shows in local theatres on a regular basis, and final-year students have the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of industry influencers in the heart of London’s West End. To make professional training more accessible, the performing arts school offers a number of fully funded places and bursaries.
Liverpool Theatre School also welcomes aspiring young performers aged 6 to 16 to its Junior Academy, which offers evening and weekend classes.
Sir Ken Dodd, who was a patron of Liverpool Theatre School, inspired generations of entertainers and a new scholarship in his name was announced earlier this year. Throughout his career, the late comedian regularly worked with Liverpool Theatre School, whose Junior Academy students appeared as the famous Diddymen during his live shows. Performers from Liverpool Theatre School’s Junior Academy will make their next appearance as the Diddymen in September at the launch a new exhibition called Happiness, which celebrates Sir Ken Dodd at the Museum of Liverpool.
Liverpool Theatre School is located at Liverpool Central Studios, 35 Sefton Street, Liverpool, L8 5SL. To find out more about Liverpool Theatre School, please visit the website here.
READ MORE: SIR KEN DODD SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCHES AT LIVERPOOL THEATRE SCHOOL
