Award-Winning Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School celebrates 21 years with spectacular return to the Hackney Empire and is joined by special guests 

• After being postponed due to the pandemic, Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School’s students returned to the Hackney Empire to celebrate its anniversary in March 2022
• Special guests include actors Joseph Marcell (Butler in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Tahj Miles (Marion in BBC's Death in Paradise), and Meg Hillier MP
  
  

On Saturday 19th March, students ofthe Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School aged between 7–18 years old performed an exciting lineup of song and dance numbers from well known West End shows at the Hackney Empire. Previously postponed due to lockdown restrictions, the Showcase marked the school’s 21st Anniversary. 

Students were joined on stage by special guests at the end of the show. This included alumni Tahj Miles, who is currently starring in BBC’s Death in Paradise, alumni and singer-songwriter Kali Claire, and esteemed actor and long-time supporter of the school Joseph Marcell, who starred at the Butler in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. A link to images can be found below.

Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, is a supporter of the School and was also in attendance. She said - 

"It was great to see the Anna Fiorentini School on stage again after the pandemic. Our young people have been through so much over the last two years and getting back to real life and performance is a huge confidence booster."

Anna Fiorentini, founder and principal of the Theatre & Film School said - 

“We were so excited to be able to finally put on this incredible show and welcome back audiences for our anniversary. We’ve had a difficult couple of years not knowing if the school would have to close or if we would be able to do live performances again so to finally be able to celebrate 21 years has been really special. This re-launch has been a huge success and I want to thank all the students, teachers, volunteers and tech crew who made the event possible, alongside the audience members and community for once again getting behind our students and supporting their local children and young people. Here’s to another 21 years!”

Alumni of the school were also present at the event through a special anniversary video. Past students were asked to send in a short video about their time at the school and how it impacted their lives, including Belinda Owusu, star of BBC’s Holby City and EastEnders, and Jermain Jackman,winner of The Voice UK 2014. The video can be watched and shared via the link below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIGZTV-zHPY 

The event was also a fundraiser for the school’s charitable arm the Fiorentini Foundation. A Charity Dance organised by Stage & the City, the adult branch of the school, was performed by 15 adults that had very little dance experience. They were sponsored by friends to learn a dance routine in five hours and perform it on stage at the Hackney Empire. Money raised will go towards kids with or affected by cancer that wish to attend the School for much needed fun and respite. The fundraisers have two weeks left to get in their donations but so far they have raised £2196 of their £3000 target.To donate to the fundraisers, click the link below:

https://fiorentinifoundation.enthuse.com/cf/lip-sync-battle

The Covid-19 crisis created an unprecedented challenge and hit the Anna Fiorentini Performing Arts School hard. However, thanks to large grants from The Arts Council and the Coronavirus Support Fund (distributed by The National Lottery), support from local charities, as well as donations from individuals and small firms, the School can continue to provide opportunities like this showcase for children and young people to increase in confidence and self-esteem through the performing arts. The new term starts in April and the Hackney, Docklands, Camden and Greenwich branches will be hosting obligation-free taster days for students aged 4-18 years old. For more information and to sign up now, visit:

www.afperformingarts.com/theatre-and-film-school/schools