Grand Opera House Trust Creates: MTI - Schools Musical Theatre Project

The Grand Opera House Trust, in partnership with Musical Theatre International (MTI), the world's leading theatrical licensing agency for Broadway and West End shows, has launched a new project bringing the joy of musical theatre to children across Belfast.

Working with four local primary schools, the Theatre and MTI will support teachers and pupils in staging their own school production of Shrek The Musical JR.

Throughout the project, children will have fun, develop new skills and have the exciting opportunity to perform in their schools, as well as on the iconic Grand Opera House stage in a special finale show for their family and friends next year.

The project kicked off with a development day for participating schools, during which the Theatre's Creative Learning Manager and MTI representatives met with teachers from Braniel Primary School, Botanic Primary School, Knocknagoney Primary School and St Kevin's Primary School. Together, they explored key elements of producing a musical, including auditions, music direction, rehearsal planning, choreography, and much more.

The day concluded with a tour of the Theatre, Northern Ireland's home of musicals, and teachers stepped out onto the iconic stage where their pupils are set to perform next year.

This project forms part of the Theatre's extensive Creative Learning Programme, which is committed to engaging and enriching the lives of young people through the power of participating in the arts.