The Swindon school has entered a group of 30 dancers and 10 musicians in the selection process, with the successful group set to perform on the resort’s famous Videopolis stage.
The venue has hosted productions including Beauty and the Beast, Mulan and The Lion King, with performers taking to the stage in front of thousands of international visitors.
If selected, the pupils will also take part in dance and musical theatre workshops led by Disney Cast Members, offering them the opportunity to gain experience of professional performance and production.
The audition follows months of rehearsals, with pupils giving up free periods, lunchtimes and after-school sessions to prepare their routine. Some of those involved have also learned to dance for the first time as part of the project.
If successful, it would mark Lawn Manor Academy’s second performance at Disneyland Paris after previously appearing there in 2022.
The opportunity would add to the school’s growing list of international performing arts experiences. Last summer, pupils travelled to New York where they performed in Times Square and attended workshops with professional Broadway dancers.
Natasha Dixon, Head of Dance at Lawn Manor Academy, said:
“For subjects like dance and performing arts especially, it’s so important to be able to not only learn from professionals, but to also be able to go to as many places as possible and experience what it’s like being backstage and part of a professional theatre production.
“If we’re lucky enough to go through to the next stage, the pupils will be in for an incredibly rewarding but busy trip, as they’ll be straight into rehearsals, performing and workshops, as well as having the opportunity to see Disney Cast Members perform on the same stage they were on and also see more of Paris too.”
She said competition for places would be fierce.
“There’s going to be a lot of competition from schools, professional dance schools and clubs for this opportunity. However, our pupils have been determined to do their best and have given up so much of their time to make sure that they’re proud of the audition they’ve submitted.
“Some of the pupils taking part haven’t danced before and they’ve worked really hard to develop their skills. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, resilience and passion shown by every pupil and we are keeping everything crossed that they will have the opportunity to represent Lawn Manor Academy once again on the magical stage at Disneyland Paris next summer.”
