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Dateline: 2nd November, 2003 Egg Shells out for New Derby Academy Internet bank Egg has teamed up with Derby Playhouse to unveil the Egg Theatre Academy, a performing arts training venture believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. In the biggest business partnership deal in the theatre's history, Egg will be shelling out £250,000 for the next five years at least. The academy will offer part-time training in acting, singing, dancing and performing skills. As a community theatre project, it will be open to anyone aged five to 75. There will also be a specific youth theatre for nine to 19-year-olds. Entrance to the academy will be by audition only and it is estimated that 1,750 people will benefit from training every year, with a further 4,000 benefiting directly through theatre performances. The course will consist of an intensive programme of master classes running throughout the year, along with specific coaching for auditions and drama school. There will also be opportunities to perform in professional shows and in academy productions on the Playhouse stage. Ben Roberts from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, who will be playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Playhouse next month, commented: "The Egg Theatre Academy will be a very welcome addition to performing arts training in Derby. "I wish there had been something similar to help me when I started out and I'll be looking forward to working with some of the first young people to benefit from the scheme." Geoff Sweeney, development director at the Playhouse, added: "We're delighted to be partnering Egg to create this unique opportunity for local aspiring actors. "Our thank-you comes on behalf of the hundreds of gifted young people and community performers who will benefit from the best in theatre training as well as close contact with the professional theatre industry. "We hope that the Egg Theatre Academy will be for many the first step towards a career in the theatre." Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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