CHESTER YOUTH THEATRE STUDENT CELEBRATES WEST-END STAR'S SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Members of a Chester based Youth Theatre are celebrating after one of their fellow students has been awarded a scholarship at a top Drama School.

Chumisa Dornford-May, a member of On The Mark Youth Theatre (OTMYT) is hoping to follow in the footsteps of some of the UK's leading Actors and West End stars after landing a scholarship at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. A former student at Christleton High School, Chumisa, 17 appeared in several productions at the school, including Mimi in "RENT" and also most notably taking on Whoopi Goldberg's famous role of Dolores Van Cartier in the school's production of "Sister Act". Chumisa also gave a showstopping performance as Elphaba, in "Defying Gravity" from the smash hit musical "Wicked" alongside Eleanor Moulson in On The Mark Youth Theatre's compilation show "Magic of The Musicals" to great critical acclaim. 

Chumisa was set to play the role of Grizabella in On the Mark's production of CATS but sadly, the production had to be cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions. In a remarkable quirk of fate, Chumisa's scholarship to attend Mountview from October has been awarded by none other than legendary West End and Broadway star Elaine Paige OBE who famously originated the role of Grizabella in CATS in 1981.

Chumisa who grew up in South Africa has theatre in her blood, her Father, Mark is a theatre producer and director whilst her Mother, Pauline Malefane is an acclaimed South African Opera Singer. Chumisa is the Granddaughter of the late Peter Dornford-May, former Drama Advisor for Cheshire County Council who also directed several of Chester's famous Mystery Plays, and retired Teacher Rayna Dornford-May. 

Speaking about the excitement of taking up her place to study musical theatre at Mountview, Chumisa said "I am absolutely delighted to be going to study at Mountview and work towards realising my dream of working professionally in the industry. I am unbelievably excited. But before I go, I can’t wait to do the Les Mis workshop with OTMYT in September and I will come back to visit whenever I can. OTMYT is home!”

Simon Phillips, Artistic Director of On The Mark Youth Theatre said “Chumisa is a huge talent and this was obvious from the very start. Alongside her talent she demonstrates incredible professionalism and a modesty and sincerity as a performer that is rare and a joy to behold. All at OTMYT wish Chumisa the best of luck with her course and we can’t wait to hear about how she’s getting on. We’re delighted that she is coming along to our first workshop in September and this will be a lovely chance to say our farewells and for all of our other members to offer their congratulations to this star of the future!”

On The Mark Youth Theatre will be holding a series of Covid secure Musical Theatre Workshops at Christleton High School from September onwards starting with Les Miserables from Saturday 12th  September - Saturday 3rd October, (4 weeks) followed by We Will Rock You from Saturday 10th October - Saturday 31st October (4 weeks), Wicked from Saturday 7th November - Saturday 28th November (4 weeks) and We Will Rock You from Saturday 5th December - Saturday 19th December 2020 (3 weeks). A discount is offered where a sibling also attends the same workshop.

Speaking about adapting to the current restrictions and creating the Workshops, Simon said "Due to the current restrictions surrounding public indoor performances, we have suspended our work towards full-scale musical productions. Instead, for the time-being we will be offering workshops in musical theatre which will run on Saturdays, 10:00am until 1:00pm, at Christleton High School in Chester. Each workshop will focus on some of the key numbers from a particular musical over a 4 (or 3) week period combining elements of dance, singing (when permitted) and acting, which would result in a short informal performance to parents in the final week for the last half an hour. This fulfils our two main aims for members at OTMYT; ‘Learning’ the skills required for musical theatre but also with an element of ‘Doing’, aiming for that final week where they will get to show their work. These workshops will not be ‘cast’ as such; all members will have equal involvement and we will make them as high-quality, challenging and fun as we can. We really hope it will feel just like a typical OTMYT Saturday morning!

For full details of On The Mark Youth Theatre and the Workshops on offer including dates, times and fees, go to www.otmyt.co.uk

Pictured - Chumisa Dornford-May as Grizabella in On The Mark Youth Theatre's production of "CATS", which sadly never got staged due to COVID-19 restrictions (photo credit Kate De Winton).