About Us

Centre Stage is the multi-award- winning Youth Theatre Company based in Exmouth, Devon. The company was established in 1971 as the 14-20 Music and Drama Society and its aims, all these years later remain very much the same; to advance the education of children and young people in music and the performing arts and to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education and appreciation of music and the Performing Arts

The company has a membership of 40 young people aged between 11 and 21 who, all perform in every production the company produces, ranging from the much loved Gilbert and Sullivan Operattas, the family favourite Rodgers and Hammerstien musical comedies to the new writers such as Howard Goodall, giving this talented company a varied balance of the musicals available to them.

A busy and thorough rehearsal period allows for each member to learn valuable theatre skills as well as build their own self-esteem, confidence, self-respect, team work, a huge sense of belonging which enhances all of their performances and their own inter-personal skills.

As a direct result of our training former members have gone on to theatre schools such as, Bristol Old Vic, Brit School, Mountview, Guildford School Of Acting, LAMDA and RADA. Some have gone on to start in London’s West End and on professional theatre tours and some have set up their own production companies stretching as far afield as Singapore.

The company itself has received huge acclaim, performing at The Royal Albert Hall. The London Palladium and an International tour in Germany of Les Miserables School Edition, as well as working with various household names in our home theatre.

In 2022 we won the musical theatre category of the national All England Dance finals. This year, made it through to the national finals again after winning silver at the regional finals.

Continuing to keep the company modern, fresh and alive for many more years to come forms an important part of its vision, always in the forefront with new productions and never afraid to try something new.

Rehearsals

Being a member of Centre Stage is a big commitment. Rehearsals are held three times a week – Tuesday and Friday evenings and Sunday afternoon. As we lead up to our bigger productions, members need to be available for additional rehearsals. All rehearsals are held at Brixington Primary School. Other venues are likely to be The Royal Beacon Hotel and The Manor Hotel.

Auditions

Auditions are held twice a year, usually to coincide with our shows. If you have any questions about auditions, please email shows@centrestageexmouth.onmicrosoft.com or direct message on our Facebook page.

Funds

Centre Stage (Devon) is a registered charity (No. 1122596) and a self-funding company. We raise money through annual subscriptions, the Friends of Centre Stage, our performances and by specific fund-raising events. We are also very grateful for the support and sponsorship we receive from local organisations and businesses.

Our Fees

Current subscription rates for members – £22 per month, plus a £30 joining fee.

Awards

Our Successes include:

All England Dance Regional Winners 2024
NODA Winner Youth Award for Company Singing 2023 – Shrek the Musical
NODA nominated Best Youth Production Cup 2023 – Shrek the Musical
All England Dance Festival National Winners 2022
NODA Excellence awards for ‘Ruddigore – 1993’, ‘Annie – 1996’, ‘Oliver! 2003’, ‘The Dreaming – 2003’, ‘Beauty and the Beast – 2011’
Exeter Dance Festival regional winners 2009
Devon & Exeter Music Festival – Winners 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995
All England Dance Competition – 3rd Place 2011
NODA President’s Award 2011 for Best Youth Production click here
District Achievement Award 2013 – Cats
NODA South West Youth Award 2013 – Miss Saigon
Rosebowl nominated 2015 – Whistle Down the Wind
NODA Southwest nominated for best musical production, best youth production & best chorus singing.
Phantom of the Opera 2016
- Rosebowl Award winner 2016
  - Sylvie Hodgson-Smith (Best Actress, The Phantom of The Opera).
  - Coup de Theatre for The Journey to the Phantom Lair
- NODA Southwest nominated 2017
  - Best Musical Production
  - Stage Electric Award for Technical Achievment
  - Haslemere Award for Visual Excellence
  - Councillors Cup for Best Youth Production
  - Gerry Branton Award for best Operatic Production
  - Winners of Best Youth Production 2017 for Phantom of the Opera
Barnum – 2017
- Rosebowl Awards nominations 2017
  - SLX Award for Technical Achievment
  - Babara MaCrae Award for best Actress in a Youth Production Slyvie Hodgson-Smith as Chairy
  - Jean Fennell Award for Best Youth Production.

Centre Stage Executive

President – Anne Killoran
Executive Chairman – Mark Worsley
Vice Chairman – Paul Walker
Finance Director – Marc Phillips
Artistic Director – Sue Bonnett
Communications Director – Louise Lomax
Executive Member – Anna Nicholas
Executive Member – Jane Mabin
Executive Member & Clerk to the Executive – Joanna Coulam