Read our latest Blog from Stagecoach Theatre Arts

International Women’s Day 2021 - Women in the Performing Arts

March 05, 2021
International Women’s Day 2021 - Women in the Performing Arts
International Women’s Day provides a fantastic opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements of women in arts and the impact this has had on all aspects of our lives, from business and technology to music and the arts. 
 
History
'Women in the British art world are in a better position than ever before. They’re increasingly holding top roles in the sector and arts organisations are working towards a better gender balance. But it was not an easy path that led to this point. Still, there were a lot of women who loved the theatre so much that they felt the need to defy cultural expectations and join in anyway. Let's be thankful for them. If it weren't for them, today's theatre would look very different!'
 
Taken from the article Women in Theatre: A Historical Look.

 
For this year’s International Women’s Day we have chosen to showcase a few of our teachers from stagecoachathome.

 
Sophie issacs Headshot
 
Sophie Issacs
Sophie joined our team of teachers in 2020 when we launched our online platform stagecoachathome.com. She has been appearing in many West End shows over the years including the widespread musical success SIX. Sophie is not a stranger to playing strong female leads, she has also played the part of one of the Heathers in the smash-hit musical Heathers: The Musical along with theatre powerhouse Carrie Hope Fletcher. 
More recently in SIX, she plays the part of Kathryn Howard, a strong young female queen who knows her own mind. 
Next month (April 2021) Sophie will be performing via live streaming as part of the Leave A Light On series of concerts produced by Lambert Jackson and The Theatre Café, which aims not only to provide financial support for the performers involved but also to provide entertainment for people in self-isolation.

 
Headshot che
 
Chékirah Ugoala
Chékirah has been performing and teaching from a young age and has recently been found onstage at London's prestigious Jazz Café as the lead vocalist of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill: A Live Rendition and lead singer in the Sister Act Live Choir UK Tour in 2017/18.

Chékirah also sings as a soprano/lead singer with The Kingdom Choir, performing at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the 2018 Invictus Games Closing Ceremony in Sydney, Australia. She has also appeared on multiple TV shows including Call The Midwife, Strictly Come Dancing and Miranda.

 
Hannah Rose Headshot
 
Hannah-Rose Wiltshire
Hannah-Rose has been working as a performing arts facilitator for five years, teaching children from 2-18 years old. Hannah-Rose started teaching with Stagecoach in 2016 when she began working at Stagecoach Norwich and Newmarket. Hannah-Rose teaches Early Stages, Drama, Further Stages and LAMDA Examination classes. 
Alongside Stagecoach, Hannah-Rose is Assistant Producer for the drama company All-in Productions which recreate new and exciting interactive theatre experiences for children. All-In Productions work in many different styles, dealing with contrasting subject matters and for a range of different audiences.  One minute this could mean creating an interactive pantomime for toddlers and their families, the next a one-man show about mental health to be performed in non-theatrical spaces.  
Hannah-Rose says, “I love being part of the stagecoachathome teaching team – it’s amazing to have the opportunity to bring creative courage to students at home!’

This year's International Women's Day theme is #choosetochallange - “A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. So let's all choose to challenge.” For more information on what you can do to celebrate please visit the website here.

Their sessions, as well as over 300 other videos, can all be enjoyed for free as part of a 7 day free trial at stagecoachathome.com.