A former student from Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College who starred in the Warner Bros film 'Barbie' has set up her own business. 

Talented Amelia Smith found it so difficult to find classes in the area that she had to travel to a theatre school in Blackpool with her parents. 

Now the adventurous 25-year-old, whose credits include Disney, ITV and the BBC, has launched the Smash School of Performing Arts in Sandbach. 

Amelia was one of the Barbies in the hit film but more recently she's done TV ads for the iconic Tower brand. (Photo: Amelia Smith)

Amelia, who did an extended diploma in acting before going on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, wants to guide youngsters in the right direction. 

"I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was at school, but it was really hard to break into acting and performing," said Amelia. 

"There's so much to do like finding an agent to get you work and ensuring you have the right qualifications." 

Amelia, who has also appeared in various TV commercials, studied intensive acting for TV and films in America and was supported along the way by her family. 

"Family support is vital," she said. "My parents Frank and Gaynor Smith used to drive me to Blackpool and my nanna Margret Smith never missed a show. 

"I don't know where I get my creative side from. My grandma Valerie Wain was a singer and my grandad Les Wain supported me during my time in LA." 

Amelia, who lives in Middlewich, wants to pass on the wealth of experience has has amassed on the industry to local youngsters wanting to break into the performance world. 

The Smash classes, covering everything from acting for TV and film to comedy acting, commercial acting, audition technique, musical theatre performance and confidence building. 

They take place at Sandbach Town Hall on Thursdays from 4 – 5 pm for ages four- to eight-year-olds and 5 – 6 pm for ages eight to 16-year-olds. 

Further details are available by phoning Amelia on 07715 372073, by email [email protected] or from the website here

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