A GIFTED young dancer from Northwich is jumping for joy after securing a coveted place at Liverpool Theatre School.

Ruby Clark, 15, is one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a professional dancer, as she prepares to embark on an elite dance training programme at the prestigious North West performing arts school.

READ> Deliveroo announce plans to launch service in Northwich

Liverpool Theatre School, whose patrons include dance legend, Wayne Sleep OBE, and West End theatre producer, Bill Kenwright, boasts a long list of success stories, with alumni appearing in shows such as Wicked, Les Miserables, The Book of Mormon, Tenors of Rock and Blood Brothers.

Accepting only the most talented students, Liverpool Theatre School welcomes just 16 of the many young hopefuls who apply for professional training in dance, musical theatre and acting every year.

Ruby, who currently attends Hartford Church of England High School as well as Laura Wilson School of Dance in Holmes Chapel, won over the audition panel at Liverpool Theatre School with two exceptional performances.

As part of the audition process, which took place virtually during lockdown, she was required to prepare each performance to showcase the breadth of her skill and technical ability in different styles of dance.

She was also invited to attend an online interview.

Northwich Guardian: 15-year-old Ruby Clark has won a place at a top theatre school.

15-year-old Ruby Clark has won a place at a top theatre school.

Liverpool Theatre School Principal, Maxine Ellis, was blown away by Ruby’s audition, she said: "Ruby’s performances were incredible.

"She dances exceptionally well and she clearly has a passion for the stage.

"We’re very much looking forward to welcoming her to Liverpool Theatre School and I’m confident she will excel, as she takes her next steps towards achieving her ambition of performing at a professional level.

"Ruby is extremely well deserving of a place on our professional dance programme and I’m sure she will enjoy the opportunity to hone her skills and develop her natural talent in preparation for an exciting career in the industry."

Speaking of her achievement, Ruby said: "I’m so happy to be going to Liverpool Theatre School, I actually cried when I found out I’d been offered a place.

"I’ve been dancing since I was three years old, so having the chance to train professionally is like a dream come true.

"I love performing and I’ve enjoyed dancing in quite a few shows at local venues such as Northwich Leisure Centre, as well as the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and The Lowry in Manchester.

"My family are all really proud that I passed the audition and so is my dance teacher, Laura Wilson, who helped me a lot during lockdown.

"I would love to become a dance teacher myself one day but my ambition is to enjoy a long career as a professional dancer first.

"I can’t wait to join Liverpool Theatre School in September."

Liverpool Theatre School’s elite training programmes in dance, musical theatre and acting are designed to give young people the skills they need to pursue professional careers in the performing arts industry.

The specialist stage school, which is rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, is the only place in the country to be validated by Trinity College London across all three disciplines of dance, musical theatre and acting.

Liverpool Theatre School also provides a number of fully-funded places and bursaries including the DaDAs (Dance and Drama Awards) and the Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship, which enable talented students lacking in financial support to access professional training opportunities.