Janet Wright A.N.A.T.D Principal.
Principal Janet Wright was infected with the dance bug at the age of 2 and a half, when she appeared in her first dance show with the Jeanette School of Dance.
During her childhood in London and Essex Janet took part in many shows and performances and particularly enjoyed tap and gymnastics, at which she excelled.

At the age of 9 she was offered a place at Circus School and at the age of 11 won a place at The Royal Ballet School, neither of which she was allowed to accept. Her father told her to “get a proper job” but luckily for us Janet kept on dancing!

Janet worked as a Cabaret dancer with her good friend Hazel Ann, performing for the James Last Band and later owned 2 dancewear shops.
Janet began teaching under the name of Jane Emily Dancers (named after her shops) in 1985, later settling in Norfolk where she ran classes from various village and school halls. As the number of children escalated the now-named Janet Wright School of Dancing held classes in Long Stratton, Wymondham and Newton Flotman as well as the original Harleston classes, and later brought in extra teachers, including her own daughter Vickie, to help her handle the numbers.

Janet had always harboured a dream to run her dance school from a purpose built studio and in 1997 she and Vickie acquired the old school building in Newton Flotman. A year later the Anglia Region Theatre School (known to us as A.R.T.S) was born and has gone from strength to strength since, offering classes in Dance, Drama, Singing and Music for all ages and abilities.

Back in 1986 the Jane Emily Dancers made their debut performance in a 20-minute slot in a variety show. Later, The Janet Wright School of Dancing were to find success in a number of annual shows performed at Archbishop Sancroft High School, Harleston. Now, 20 years on the pupils of A.R.T.S can boast performances at some of Europe's most prestigious venues including Her Majesty's Theatre, Sadler's Wells, The Royal Albert Hall and Disneyland Resort Paris whilst maintaining links with Norfolk and Suffolk performing for The Onward Players, Harleston, Age Concern, Spalding and Yarmouth and various fetes and festivals. Pupils have also been selected for The English Youth Ballet production of The Nutcracker, both in Ipswich and Norwich.
The annual shows have since become full-blown productions performed at The Walter Roy Theatre, Norwich and this year's Anniversary Show is a culmination of all the events that have led to A.R.T.S current status.

Janet is delighted to be celebrating her 20th year of shows with 'Encore' and would like to thank all the pupils, parents, colleagues and friends, past and present, who have made the transition from Jane Emily to A.R.T.S such a pleasure and success!

Victoria Wright F.N.A.T.D. (Dist) Examiner, Principal
Vickie began Dance classes at the age of 2 ½ at the Hazel Ann Academy in Wickford. At age 11, she moved to the full time Stage school Arts Educational, Tring where she boarded for 5 years before transferring to the London school. During this time the family moved to Norfolk where she assisted in teaching at the then Jane Emily school of Dance and gained her teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap, Modern Stage and Disco Freestyle.
Vickie worked throughout her college years doing promotion work, modeling, dancing and even spent one summer holiday on board a Greek cruise ship. She danced in various Shows the Thursford Christmas production, the Johnny Pellar Show, Sheffield, the Battle of Britain Benefit, the Rank Xerox Carnival - to name but a few. She was part of a Cabaret group and performed at many top London Hotels including Kensington, Heathrow, Piccadilly and Park Lane. Promotion work included many top Norwich stores and also works for Hyundai at the Birmingham Motor Show. In 1992, she danced in Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal in Norwich and then went on to spend the next 5 years cruising the world with P&O Cruises and the sister company Princess Cruises. She travelled to many places including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska and a 3 month World cruise.
Vickie is qualified in all areas of Dance to Fellowship standard as well as Piano, Drama, Singing and Aerobics. She was appointed a Dance Examiner for the NATD in 2004 one of the youngest ever to do so - and examines regularly all over the country.
There are many areas that Vickie would like to expand over the next few years and she is looking forward to devoting this time to the youngsters of ARTS and giving them as many opportunities to learn and perform as possible.

Patrick Burke
Patrick, who married Principal Janet Wright in April 2004, took over the Drama classes at A.R.T.S after Show 2003 'To Dream the Impossible Dream' after an extensive career in comedic and character acting, both in the UK and abroad.Patrick's television credits include: Just William (Talisman), The Bill (Thames), All Creature's Great and Small (BBC), You Rang My Lord? (BBC), Eastenders (BBC), The Likely Lads (BBC), Crime watch UK (BBC), Tom's Midnight Garden and All The Kings Men (BBC) which starred David Jason. His films include Phantom of the Opera (Cannon) and Black Beauty (Warner Brothers).
Patrick's radio credits include comedy and dialect roles for BBC Lincs, Hereward Radio, BBC Norfolk, BBC Guernsey and BBC Radio 4.
He has also appeared in many advertising campaigns including: Reebok Shoes, Daily Mail, Nat West Bank, German Railways, Austrian Mineral Water,Vodaphone, Norwegian Lotto, Malvern Mineral Water, BUPA Health Care, Homebase and Colin in the NHS Careers campaign.
In theatre Patrick has performed in Fishers For The Moon, Shut Your Eyes and Think of England and The Crucible, as well as producing numerous shows and Old Time Music Halls with his own production company Wright-Burke Productions.

Outside of acting Patrick runs his own farm and East Anglia Super Trax from his own back yard in Kings Lynn. The Motocross and Go-Kart Tracks were officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in November 2002.

Although 'Encore' marks Patricks first show as Drama teacher he performed as a singing Farmer in Dingle, Dangle, Scarecrow in 'Calendar Girl' (1998), played Thernardier alongside the drama group in Master of the House, Les Miserables, in 'Show 2000: A Musical Extravaganza!' and compered in various other shows.
Patrick also auditioned and directed all the acting parts for the A.R.T.S musical theatre production of The Wizard of Oz (2001), at the Playhouse Theatre, Norwich.

Patrick would like to wish all his Drama students, and everyone else involved, the very best of luck!
Sarah Kirk A.N.A.T.D, B.S.c (hons)
Sarah started dancing with the Anglia Region Theatre School (formerly the Janet Wright School of Dancing) at the age of 6, when she attended one of the first classes ever taught by Janet. She has danced in 11 of the 12 shows that ARTS has produced to date, starring as Annie in her first show, as well as performing with the school at numerous venues, most memorably Her Majesty's Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall, and Disneyland Paris.

Sarah
In 1998, Sarah left Norfolk to study Physiotherapy at Oxford Brookes University, gaining a B.Sc.(Hons) degree in 2001. During her three years at university, she maintained her involvement with ARTS, returning to dance in 'Calendar Girl', when she won the Outstanding Achievement Award, and 'Show 2000', and helping backstage in 2001 (on the day she had come home from university!).

Sarah now works full time as a Senior Physiotherapist at the James Paget Hospital, specialising in the treatment of stroke patients. In addition to this, she has taught at ARTS since returning from university, and passed her Associate tap exam with Distinction in 2004. She currently teaches three nights a week, and attends classes herself in ballet and street dancing.

Sarah is delighted to be performing and choreographing in 'Encore', which sees her celebrating her 20th year at ARTS.

Katy Stangroom A.N.A.T.D, B.S.c (hons)
Katy started dancing at the tender of age of 4 and since her debut as a snowflake in 'The Snowman and Annie' in 1987, has appeared in numerous A.R.T.S productions, including performances at Her Majesty's Theatre and Sadler's Wells in London's prestigious West End. Katy was delighted to be the first person awarded the Outstanding Achievement trophy in 'The Circle of Life' (1996).

Despite 3 years at the University of Lincoln (1999-2002), receiving a 2:1 B.S.c (hons) degree in Psychology, Katy remained heavily involved in all aspects of A.R.T.S life, and gained her first Associate in Modern on her 18th birthday! Since then she has gained teaching qualifications in Ballet, Disco and Tap and has choreographed for several A.R.T.S performances, including the Onward Players Pantomimes, Age Concern and Disneyland Resort Paris.

Following in the dance-steps of her mentor Vickie, Katy has been dancing professionally for the past 4 years. Her dancing has taken her all over the world, from sailing the Med., Caribbean and Baltic oceans on board the M/S Mistral, Festival Cruises, to the realms of Beirut, Syria, Cyprus, Egypt and Greece onboard the M/V Atalante, Paradise Cruises, and last year as a parade dancer at Disneyland Resort Paris. She has just returned from a World Cruise onboard the M/S Astoria, Transoceans and will be returning to the ship for a 6-month contract at the end of March.

Although Katy will miss the actual show being a member of the A.R.T.S show committee has allowed her a hand in selecting some of the numbers and music, and as always she will be there in spirit!
She would like to thank Vickie and Janet for providing her the inspiration and opportunity to succeed in the fickle world of dance and wishes everyone luck in what she knows will be a phenomenal show!

Lisa Arnup
Lisa first started dancing at the age of four at A.R.T.S. (previously known as the Janet Wright School of Dance), after she managed to persuade her Mum to take her along to her first ballet lesson!

Throughout her 15 years at A.R.T.S she has taken part in nine school shows. It was the second of these shows, Mary Poppins, when Lisa realised that dancing was going to become a major part of her life. Lisa has been involved in six shows in the West End, including the Royal Albert Hall and Sadler's Wells. Two visits to Disneyland, Paris, where she took part in 20minute shows and parades, and also successfully auditioned for the English Youth Ballet's production of the Nutcracker. In 1999, Lisa was given an award for junior achievement, followed by a Ballet award in 2001, and in 2004 she was given her greatest achievement to date, as she became A.R.T.S. Head Girl.

Lisa is presently finishing her foundation year in Art and Design at the Norwich School of Art and Design; she is hoping to carry on her education at the Art School by studying for a B.A. in Contemporary Textile Practices. In the school holidays Lisa works for South Norfolk Council tutoring children's workshops in disco and pre-school dance. She would not be able to do this without the training she has received from A.R.T.S. Firstly becoming a student teacher gave her the confidence and knowledge to teach young children, and since 2005 she has been given the opportunity to teach her own classes in disco, modern, tap and ballet. Lisa is working towards her Associate Disco exam and hopes to achieve this level in the other areas of dance.

Since becoming a teacher in 2005 Lisa has had the opportunity to choreograph dances for the Onward Players pantomime, Dick Whittington, and the Blues Brothers show which took place at the Playhouse, Norwich. She is also looking forward to seeing the work she has done for Show 2006, Encore, come to life!

Ruth Barker
Ruth joined the 'Janet Wright Dancers' at the age of 6 and since then has worked her way through the grades to become an Assistant Teacher at the now named Anglia Region Theatre School.

Ruth has always been an active member of the school appearing in almost every production A.R.T.S has been involved in, including the prestigious Sadler's Wells, Her Majesty's Theatre and most notably The Royal Albert Hall and Disneyland Resort Paris.

Ruth's talent and efforts earned her the Overall Achievement Award at Show 2001 and last Summer she took part in the English Youth Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, where she won the role of Madam Bon Bon. She has also recorded her own CD called 'Smooth' which raised money for Quidenham Children's Hospice.

Ruth has played a huge role in preparing for 'Encore' both performing and choreographing in the show. She would like to say a big well done to everyone involved for all their hard work and effort!

Kelly Evans
Kelly began dancing with the Janet Wright Dancers at the age of 4, not knowing, until she rejoined A.R.T.S in 1997, that dance would play such a big part in her life. Since then Kelly has had the opportunity to perform at many exciting venues, such as 'Her Majesty's Theatre', 'Sadlers Wells'' 'The Royal Albert Hall' and not forgetting 'Disney Land Resort Paris'.

Kelly was delighted to receive the Senior Achievement Award in Show 2003, 'To Dream the Impossible Dream' and began Student Teaching after this. After winning the Overall Achievement Award in 2004, Kelly passed her Student Disco with Highly Commended and now works as an Assistant Teacher at A.R.T.S. Having gained Distinction in her graded exams Kelly was able to take part in the annual N.A.T.D scholarships, in Manchester, and is also a member of the school's Cabaret group.

Kelly is currently working towards her Associate in Disco and in preparation has choreographed and performed routines for the Onward Players pantomime, Blues Brothers at the Norwich Playhouse and 'Encore', and spent the Summer holidays taking disco dancing workshops for South Norfolk Council.

Kelly would like to wish everyone performing in 'Encore' the best of luck. She says: “Don't forget 'Dancing is not what we do, it is who we are!

Alice Driver
Alice has had a love of performing arts from a very young age and took up tap, ballet and modern dancing with the Judy Habbit's School of Dance at the age of 3 ½ . After a short break from dancing she became a member of The Miller Dance Centre to study Disco/Freestyle/Street dance and also attended modern and tap classes at the Central School of Performing Arts. She was later offered a place with the British Precision Dance team where she stayed for 2 years before injury caused her to leave.

During her time at the Miller Dance Centre Alice competed in many regional dance competitions and qualified for the Nationwide Freestyle Finals in Blackpool for 2 years running.
At 16 she returned to Judy Habbits for further training in ballet and modern. She worked as an Assistant teacher at the Miller Dance Centre for 3 years before joining the Lisa's School of Dance, which she is still affiliated with.
Alice developed her role as a choreographer in amateur musical productions including 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Oliver!' and during her final year of A-levels produced and choreographed the first production of the 'Dance Extravaganza' at Costessey High School.

After studying Dance at the University College of Chichester Alice returned to Norwich and took up dancing with Steven Knights, renowned for his prestigious street and hip-hop style.
In addition to teaching Disco and Street classes at ARTS, Alice currently teaches dance as part of the curriculum on the BTEC Performing Arts course at Costessey High School.
'Encore' marks Alice's first show with ARTS and she would like to thank everyone involved for making her feel welcome: “It has been a pleasure to work with all my students, thank you for working so hard. Break a leg!”

Tony Barker

Currently teaching musical instruments guitar woodwind and brass.
Have been with ARTS since the school opened at Newton Flotman.
Although one of the senior members of the teaching staff, still working as a successful pro musician / entertainer. This is due mainly to unbelievable talent and the retention of youthful good looks.
Have worked in many different bands backing various name artistes including singer comedian Jimmy Jones and have supported acts such as Roger De Courcy, Shakin Stevens, The Searchers Marmalade, Michael Barrymore and Brian Poole.
As well as teaching music, also directs the school band.