WITH THE help of The Fiorentini Foundation, the Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School is offering student bursaries and subsidised places to incoming students this term.

Bursaries are a great way for students who are worried about fees and financing to get a real chance of achieving their potential in a fun and safe environment.

If you are aged between 4 – 18 years old and want to participate in the performing arts but struggle to find the fees, then there could be a place for you on the Bursary Scheme at the Camden, Hackney, Docklands or Greenwich Schools.

The Covid-19 crisis created an unprecedented challenge and hit the Anna Fiorentini Performing Arts School hard. However, thanks to large grants from The Arts Council and the Coronavirus Support Fund (distributed by The National Lottery), support from the Coral Samuel Trust and South Hackney Parochial Charities, as well as donations from individuals and small firms like Web-Labs, the School has been saved.

This means the Foundation can continue to provide disadvantaged children access to the world of performing arts – with a limited amount of subsidised places available through the Bursary Scheme for this term.

If you join the Hackney or Docklands branch this term, you will be able to participate in the 20th Anniversary Showcase at the Hackney Empire which has been postponed until March 2022. And if you join the Greenwich branch, you will be able to take part in the 20th Anniversary Showcase at the Greenwich Theatre in January 2022 (government guidelines permitting). 

The School has also teamed up with actor and author, Ras Barker on his brand-new children’s book, Coral and the Glis Glis. His fundraising campaign has directly helped with the Bursary Scheme and will also sponsor a place at the Fiorentini Weenies classes for 4-6-year olds.

This term, the classes will be exploring the children’s book through acting, singing and dance. The students will learn new skills, make new friends and have fun in a safe and nurturing environment, whilst receiving a very special goodie bag at the end of the term. 

Barker said of the collaboration: “I am very proud to be partnering with Anna and that the school is bringing life to the book in new ways. Having been an actor for over 20 years, I recognise the value that the performing arts can bring to a child’s confidence, self esteem and social development.

“The work that Anna and her team do is invaluable. And so, when the pandemic hit the school hard, it seemed the natural focus for my fundraising efforts. #”I am delighted to be able to help provide the opportunity for new members of the community to join the Fiorentini Weenies programme.”

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