Stagecoach celebrates a summer of fun with exclusive Disneyland performance and annual showcase

During a long weekend in late July, almost 2,000 students, parents and franchisees from Stagecoach Performing Arts made the 600-mile round trip from the UK to Disneyland Paris, to take part in an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime trip. More than 500 students from schools across the UK were given the chance to perform in front of the thousands of guests that visit the famous park during the daily parade.

The annual trip, dubbed ‘Disney Dance The Dream’, sees the Stagecoach in-house events team planning all elements of the exclusive performance. Franchisees are then welcomed to register to take part, taking students from their own schools along to perform musical numbers in front of the crowds that gather for the famous parade, which comes to its finale in front of Cinderella’s castle. This is the first time the popular event has been able to take place since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is a real highlight of the Stagecoach calendar.

“As you can imagine, this trip is always in demand – both with our students and their parents and carers,” explained Jenny Pando, franchisee and Principal of Stagecoach Solihull. “It’s a chance to play a part in such an iconic performance and a trip that never fails to attract interest. When one of our students goes back into school after the summer holiday to say they performed alongside Mickie and Minnie, you can guarantee that another child in their class is going to want to know how they can do that too the next summer. The value of the Stagecoach Events Team is unquestionable.”

Less than three weeks after the Disney trip, another iconic Stagecoach event took place at the Beck Theatre, in Hayes. This year’s summer showcase, a comedy production of ‘The Addams Family’, saw more than 50 students travelling from schools around the country – plus international students from Australia, Malta and Germany – coming together to perform for family and friends. 

As well as providing the opportunity for students to perform at professional venues around the nation, the annual summer showcase brings them together as they spend two weeks rehearsing whilst boarding with other students. This endeavour is completely managed and orchestrated by the Stagecoach Events Team, allowing for franchisees to concentrate on their summer term.

“Stagecoach is known for the once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunities we offer our students,” explained Andy Knights, CEO. “We pride ourselves on maintaining this standard, so each year the plans get bigger and better – this is especially important as we support our franchisees to make the most of in-person events since theatre venues were able to reopen post-pandemic. We’ve just celebrated perhaps the most impressive summer showcase performance to date, with students travelling from schools around the world to take part. The feedback from parents was incredible, which drives them to sign their children up, term after term. Our franchise network finds this level of support invaluable, and it’s something that, as a dedicated franchisor, we take great pride in delivering.” 

Before the year is out, Stagecoach will host all manner of live events to ensure its established franchising opportunity continues to appeal to prospects. With plans for the first in-person Christmas Gala and the brand’s internal Creative Courage for Life Awards to close out the year, it’s an exciting time for the children’s services franchise.

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