Young Pembrokeshire drama students have raised £300 for a local charity with a show promoting mental health.

Students from the Limelight School for Performing Arts met at the Megans Starr Foundation Community Coffee House in Milford Haven yesterday (August 19) to hand over £300 that was raised through their end of year performance, “Wonderland”, at the Torch Theatre in July.  

Students aged 4 to 18 performed in this special show, promoting positive mental health, wellbeing and self-belief. They told a tale of how the stresses of modern life can cause the strongest of us to seek our own Wonderland, our own place of safety. But in embracing our differences, supporting and raising each other up, we can let our “Freak Flag Fly” and truly soar. The show was also opened by the Milford Haven School Band, who attended with their teachers.   

Limelight offers weekly classes in singing, acting and movement, with fully qualified teachers and professional performers. But what makes Limelight unique and truly special is its emphasis on positivity and wellbeing.

Angharad, who runs the school, is not only a professional performer with credits on UK and international tours, West End and even Broadway vocal coaching, but she is also a trainee music therapist. She is passionate about making performing arts accessible and inclusive, and using the power of music to promote positive mental and physical health for all.  

Sharing this philosophy, Lucie O’Neil, drama and dance teacher, is a mental health first aider and a fully qualified teacher working in Further Education and outreach.  Limelight classes offer support to students from all backgrounds, and encourages positive progression with performing arts techniques merged with mindfulness, anxiety reduction and wellbeing.

Angharad said:“Raising money for the Megans Starr Foundation through our performance this year, seemed like a natural fit. Lucie and I are both keen to do more than just teach our students on the weekend, we want to ensure that our positive work can continue at home and that we connect our young people with a community of support.

“Saturday was a lovely chance for parents and young performers to connect in the coffee house, to play and chat together, but also to see what the foundation has to offer and to know that they are never alone.

“We would like to thank each and every person who supported the show in July, not only did you make our students feel encouraged, embraced and appreciated with your attendance, but every penny from ticket sales, after theatre hire costs were covered, was given to the charity.”

“I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the students from Milford Haven School band who opened the show, Gareth and Dylan Sanders-Swales who accompanied the Limelight students so brilliantly and, of course, the amazing Lucie! All of whom gave their time freely, accepting no monetary recompense allowing the profits to be donated to the charity.” 

Limelight School of Performing Arts meets weekly on Saturday afternoons at FF Dancers, Haverfordwest, during term time.

New students of all abilities are welcome to join this inclusive theatre school. Angharad also offers 1 to 1 vocal tuition - a fantastic opportunity for budding singers to improve their vocal technique or for more experienced singers to harness their vocal skills under the guidance of Pembrokeshire’s leading vocal technician.

To find out more about Limelight and singing classes, email Limelight on [email protected] or head to the Limelight Facebook page.