More About Spotlight

Having started out in September 1995 with one Saturday session in a small hall in Linthorpe, not knowing if any new starters would even turn up, the popularity of Spotlight quickly rose and within 18months due to demand, two further sessions, in Yarm and Redcar were created.

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Over the years our schools have grown and blossomed and our venues have relocated to the superb modern facilities that we demand for our sessions.

Spotlight has some fantastic success stories. Many pupils follow on from us to pursue their theatrical passion at London’s top colleges including, Mountview, Laines, Birds & Italia Conti.

Past pupils have gone on to star in the West End, perform in national tours, feature films and adverts, and have trained to become performing arts tutors.

However, Spotlight is not all about creating the next ‘star’. Spotlight is about giving everyone the opportunity to find an outlet that they can thrive in, to build confidence and be part of a theatre group, gain life skills and new friends along the way.

Meet the Team

Ayme Fitzgerald

Director of Spotlight Performing Arts

Having trained at Performers College from the age of 16 , I started working professionally at the age of 18 performing in London in corporate/commercial work and overseas in production shows and on cruise ships.

In 1998 I became a member of Equity and an Associate of the I.S.T.D and taught dance and musical theatre around the UK until returning back to Teesside in 2003.

I devise our production shows from initial concept to the finished production, myself and the spotlight team love working this way, as it enables us to create something new and exciting that involves everyone and all abilities. I love musical theatre and choreographing.

Sarah Bradford

Assistant Manager

At the age of 10 I started local dance classes and then as my confidence increased I joined my local theatre group, mainly as a hobby and enjoyed performing for many years in local amateur productions before starting to work at spotlight .

Having been with Spotlight for 21 years now I can safely say I love what I do !

I have taught drama to both the junior and senior sessions, and more recently have taken on a more senior role and I’m responsible for the smooth running of our Saturday sessions, held at the Acorn Centre in Acklam which I am really enjoying . I still teach drama sessions and focus on developing the script work and casting for our production shows.

It’s so rewarding to seeing the development of the pupils through their time with us and hearing the laughter coming from the studios.

Susy Slater

Saltburn Manager

I’m Susy and I am the Saltburn Spotlight Manager.
I starting dancing and performing at the age of 3 and progressed onto study for a B.A Hons in Dance and then for my PGCE .

I love seeing our pupils move up through the school, from starting in our junior sessions , working on fun songs and drama games, to progressing into senior Spotlight where they start to work on more advanced skills.

During my time at Spotlight I have seen our pupils grow in confidence , learn new techniques and, of course, have fun!
My area of specialism is dance, I like to diversify my sessions and incorporate lots of different styles – jazz, street, contemporary, and occasionally tap!