Flying High Expressive Arts CIC

Passionate about Creativity and Artistry

Flying High Expressive Arts is an award winning, not for profit company which was originally established in 1999 by Carrie Bird and caters for over 120 young people from the age of 4 to 20. We provide inclusive high quality expressive / performance workshops in Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Singing and Music with an emphasis on the development of creativity, confidence, communication, team work and an appreciation of Theatre, Performance and the Creative Arts industries. In addition. from February 2018, there will be the opportunity for Young People to take LAMDA exams - Grades 1 - 8 in Acting and a new Youth Dance group will begin for young people with SEND called Positive Moves with a FREE taster workshop in each. 

We offer exciting opportunities to perform in a range of theatres and performance venues all over the country and work with many regional and national organisations. Some of our achievements are: 

• National Theatre Connections Festival Our Young Company was selected to perform on the stage of the Lyttelton Theatre of the Royal National Theatre in London in 2012 as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival. The Young Company takes part each year in this festival of new writing. So far we have performed 7 new plays in professional theatres - Sheffield Crucible Theatre, Derby Theatre, Nottingham Lakeside Arts Theatre, Mansfield Palace Theatre and Bonington Theatre, Arnold.  
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe Our Young Company performs for 9 days each summer  at the beginning of August in Edinburgh as part of the world's biggest festival.  We had sell out shows for Peter Pan in 2016 and Aladdin in 2017 with so many people returning to support us and we have had many 4* reviews over the years. In 2016 our Young Company won an award for the Best Children's Theatre (Peter Pan) and in 2017, received a 'Sell Out Show' laurel for selling 95% of available tickets for Aladdin. 
• Youth Dance Exchange in Berlin Our Youth Dance Company was selected for a Dance 4 project working with an International choreographer and performing in Berlin in 2011 on a youth dance exchange. Each year, the company has been selected to take part in the national U Dance Festival and has performed at London South Bank Centre, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Lakeside Arts Theatre, Mansfield Palace Theatre, Leicester Curve Theatre and Wellingborough Castle Theatre.  

Many Flying High alumni have achieved success in UK Drama schools and Universities where their years with us have made a huge difference. Some have been with us from age 4 to 19 and have a huge list of performances and events they have taken part in over those 15 years. There is very much a Company feel to being involved in Flying High workshops and performances with many former members returning as tutors after their training.

Look at what we have to offer and book a FREE taster workshop now by emailing carrie@flying-high.org.uk  

NEWS FLASH:  

We welcome new members into all our groups throughout the year. Please sign up for a FREE taster session by clicking on the 'Apply Now' button, fill in the booking form and we will get back to you. 

Workshops begin again on Monday 16 , Tuesday 17 & Saturday 21 April  

We had a fantastic Connections show on a snowy St. Patrick's evening with so many positive comments and this was supported brilliantly by our Senior Youth Theatres' devised pieces on the Northern Ireland Troubles which were powerful and sensitively portrayed. 

We also had brilliant performances from all our Drama, Youth Theatre and Musical Theatre groups at the Mansfield Drama Festival gaining Distinctions for all our pieces and Honours in two. The adjudicator had only given 3 Honours marks all week and two were to our groups so we all felt very proud.

Thank you to all who came to support both events. 

We are starting a new inclusive Youth Dance group (Positive Moves) primarily for young people with additional needs on Tuesdays from 5.00 - 6.00 from April. There will be a FREE taster session on TUESDAY 17 APRIL.  If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested, please click on the Youth Dance button in orange for further information and pass the message on.

On Wednesday evenings in 2018, we will be offering LAMDA workshops (Advanced Acting) and tuition towards taking examination Grades 1 - 8 in Acting. There will be a FREE taster workshop on WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL (Please note the change of date) for everyone interested from 6.00 - 9.00 in two age groups (School Years 5 - 8 / School Years 9+). Please click the new button in Yellow for further information and email carrie@flying-high.org.uk to book a place. N.B. There will be a limited number of spaces on this course.

Saturday 14 April - National Theatre Connections performances - 'The Ceasefire Babies' by Fiona Doyle at Derby Theatre

Tuesday 17 April - 7.30 - 9.30 at the Bonington Theatre - Open workshop with Shifting Sands Theatre Company for anyone aged 14 - 90. Cost £5.00

Tuesday 1 May - Youth Fest at Nottingham Playhouse - Senior Youth Theatre groups

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 July - Flying High Showcase at the Bonington Theatre (all Flying High groups)

Saturday and Sunday afternoons (2.00pm start) for all Junior and Infant school aged children 

Saturday and Sunday evenings (7.30pm start) for all Senior school aged young people

Please keep checking the calendar for dates and email Carrie on carrie@flying-high.org.uk for any enquiries.