Budding young actors and actresses will be treading the boards in Sandbach next month - in a summer school held by a major performing arts company.

It's the first time that the Carney Academy is holding a five-day summer school which will include a jam-packed itinerary with workshops and games for seven – 14-year-olds. 

Carney Academy, founded by Sandbach resident and TV director, Ruth Carney, is holding a summer school from August 14th – 18th in Sandbach.

Ruth has directed the hit TV drama, Death in Paradise and more recently the comedy drama, Brassic.

She has worked both in the West End and on Broadway, with TV credits including Casualty, Emmerdale and, most recently, BBC favourite Death in Paradise. Sandbach Nub News told here and here how Ruth directed Death in Paradise and Brassic.

The Carney Academy's principal, David Gregan-Jones (Photo: David Gregan-Jones)

The Carney Academy is run by accomplished actor and fellow Sandbach resident, David Gregan-Jones and will take place at St Mary's Church Hall.

Aimed at ages eight to 14 year olds, the summer school will cover a range of topics from musical theatre to circus skills, film make-up, puppetry and games. 

David said: "I'm proud to say that I grew up here before I headed out to become a professional actor and writer.

(Photo: The Carney Academy)

"The opportunity to run this amazing school and work with our wonderful students brought me back to the town, and I've been the principal since 2020."

He added: "Since I joined, first as a part-time teacher in 2018, we've gone from strength to strength – finding ways to take our lessons online during the pandemic and then coming back to the classroom with a vengeance, performing at Crewe Lyceum and even starting an adult class which meets every Thursday evening during term time. 

"And for our younger students, aged seven through to 16, we've been running classes on Saturdays, in Sandbach since 2017.

"Some of these amazing young people have gone on to train at professional drama schools such as LAMDA and Guildford School of Acting, but also appear in short films and perform in some of the most prestigious local theatres. 

"For the first time ever, we're offering a five-day summer school, where each day is filled with new routes into creative arts and media including special effects movie make-up, puppetry, circus skills, musical theatre and more. 

"We can't wait to see young people come down to St Mary's Church Hall, and join us for what promises to be our most exciting summer ever."

And earlier in the year, the Carney Academy was lucky enough to be visited by Waterloo Road's Hollie-Jay Bowes who took part in a one-day workshop at St Mary's Church Hall.

To book or for more information, including price and payment packages visit www.carneyacademy.co.uk/summerschool or email [email protected]