Best Theatre Arts in St Albans is celebrating its 25th anniversary by investing around £25,000 in future talent.
The independent theatre school, which is based in both St Albans and Ware, is offering free places in its acting and musical theatre classes to 25 young people who would otherwise not be able to afford it.
Creative director Lisa Schulberg said: "We wanted to find a unique way to mark our 25th birthday that reflected the ethos of Best.
"We are here to support young people who are passionate about the performing arts, so offering these 25 places, across all age groups and classes including musical theatre, Best School of acting, early years and the youth theatre, is the perfect way to celebrate."
Best was established in 1998 by former theatre professionals David Bevan and Annette Holland, who wanted to create their kind of performing arts school they would like their children to attend.
David said: "The aim was to create a place where everyone was given the same opportunities and young people were treated with respect. Twenty-five years on and I’m happy to see that hasn’t changed."
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The school won an award for excellence just six months after it opened, and was more recently awarded Best School Age Club or Class in the Raring2go! awards.
Best Theatre Arts now wants to offer the free places to give back to the community that supported them.
The initial award will be for three full terms, which for a musical theatre student would normally cost £1,080.
Places are open for young people age three to 15 in St Albans and Ware.
Lisa said: "It’s important to stress that this is not a competition, applications will not be means tested nor involve an audition.
"We want to find 25 young people who have the attitude and personality to benefit from our training.
"We’d ideally like the places to go to children who, without the award, would not otherwise be able to attend, but this is not a hard and fast rule."
If you'd like your child to be considered for a place visit https://www.besttheatrearts.com/best-25th-anniversary-award.
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