Theatre group seeks pro status

A theatre company based at a Staffordshire school will be applying for funding to turn professional.

Actionhaus Theatre Company, based at Cannock High School, is aiming to apply for a grant from the Arts Council.

The plea is due to be made before the end of this year in a bid to turn professional and remain at the school in Hednesford Road. Head of drama and theatre company manager, Jo Rafferty, aged 38, from Rugeley, is spearheading the application after the final production of Binworld was staged last night.

The work – a musical play written, performed and produced by the company and commissioned by Cannock Chase Council – was performed at the Prince of Wales Centre in Cannock last night.

She said: "It's very exciting. I know that young people involved in the company feel very proud of themselves and that we are part of something that is important.

"They know what they do is very high quality and I demand that of them, it's hard work but it's got to be.

"For us to be a resident professional company in the school is going to be so advantageous for the school, its students and its future."

The proposal could see the company employ past students who have left the school, studied drama and then returned to the area, giving them a springboard into professional acting as well as giving something back to the school.

Ms Rafferty said: "If I could get funding from the Arts Council I would be looking to students who have gone to drama school and returned to the area."

Actionhaus was formed around 18 months ago and Binworld, exploring environmental issues, is their second production.

Their first was Finding Mo aimed at tackling issues surrounding young people's self-esteem.