# Laine Theatre Arts

Laine Theatre Arts, sometimes referred to as Laines, is an independent performing arts college, based in the town of Epsom in Surrey, England. The college was founded in 1974 by former professional dancer and dance teacher Betty Laine OBE, and developed from an earlier school, the Frecker-Laine School of Dancing. It provides specialist vocational training in dance and musical theatre.
The college prepares students for a professional career in the performing arts. The college is accredited by the Council for Dance Education and Training and it offers Qualifications and Curriculum Authority recognised qualifications validated by the Trinity College London. Key areas of study include singing, acting and dancing. It was rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted in 2016.

## Overview

Laine Theatre Arts provides specialist vocational training at further and higher education level in dance and musical theatre. The college prepares students for a professional career in the performing arts and has a history of feeding artists into West End theatre, dance companies, television, film, pop music and other high-profile areas of the entertainments industry all over the world.

## Training

The college offers four tracks of study, covering vocational, professional training in the performing arts:
* Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance validated by Trinity College London
* Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre validated by Trinity College London
* Laine Theatre Arts Foundation Diploma (1 Year) in Dance and Musical Theatre
* BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (Unique one year post level 5 Diploma, Top Up Honours Degree. Validated by the University for the Creative Arts.
Both Diploma courses are accredited by Trinity College London and are recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The college is also accredited to the Council for Dance Education and Training. Many student places at the college are funded by the British Government through the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) scheme.
The college is also an approved centre of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Students have the opportunity to gain nationally recognised dance teaching qualifications with the organisation, in ballet, tap and modern theatre dance.
The college stages an annual production at the local 'Epsom Playhouse' theatre.
The college also offers evening adult dance classes, for both beginners and the already initiated.

## Patrons

* Sir Matthew Bourne
* Derek Deane
* David Grindrod
* Gillian Lynne DBE
* Stephen Mear
* Arlene Phillips CBE
* Stephen Brooker

## Notable alumni

* Victoria Beckham, Fashion Designer and Spice Girl.
* Charlie Bruce, Dancer
* Karen Bruce, Choreographer and Director
* Warwick Davis
* Louise Dearman, West End Star.
* Louise Ekland, French TV Star.
* Kerry Ellis, West End and Broadway Star.
* Jo Gibb, West End star.
* Sean Ghazi, Singer and Actor
* Sarah Hadland, Actress
* Ruthie Henshall, West End & Broadway Star
* Lee Latchford-Evans, from Steps
* Enda Markey, Theatre Producer
* Gerard McCarthy, Actor
* Anu Palevaara
* Dominique Provost-Chalkley
* Aaron Renfree
* Ben Richards, Actor
* Leanne Rowe
* Alex Sawyer
* Charlie Stemp, West End and Broadway Star.
* Summer Strallen, Actor.
* Hayley Tamaddon, Stage and TV Star.
* Nick Winston, Director and Choreographer