Disney girl lands Cinderella role

A teenager who swapped the Black Country for the United States to became the face of the Disney Channel has landed her latest role.

Samantha Dorrance, who rubbed shoulders with the stars from hit US show High School Musical, is to play the lead role in Cinderella at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.

It follows her success as Wendy in Peter Pan last year.

The 17-year-old from Short Heath, Willenhall, is now back living at home and studying at Walsall College after landing her dream job overseas.

The teenager last year travelled to the US to speak to the cast of the High School Musical trilogy ahead of the third and final part of the music phenomenon.

Samantha was asked to quiz stars including Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale in Utah, where they are filming High School Musical 3.

It was the most high-profile job she was asked to take on as part of her role as presenter on the Disney Channel, which she won in a competition last year.

She came to the notice of Disney Channel bosses last year when she won the channel's You're the Star internet contest.

Samantha said she was delighted to be returning to the stage in what will be the theatre's second panto.

She is currently studying music and is hoping to line up more acting, singing and dancing roles.

"I had such a wonderful time playing Wendy in Peter Pan with such a great cast," she said. "I'm really looking forward to being back at Theatre Severn in the role of Cinderella."

Severn Theatre's manager Peter Nicholson said: "We're absolutely delighted that Samantha is returning to Theatre Severn.

"It was very clear from her performance as Wendy in Peter Pan that she is a star in the making."

Due to the high demand for tickets, the theatre has decided to extend the run, adding additional shows. The pantomime will now run from December 2 until January 2.

Samantha is also a member of Wolverhampton's Central Youth Theatre and Birmingham's Youth on Stage.