From celebrating student achievements to creating unforgettable performance opportunities, being a Trinity Champion Centre can make a real difference to what you’re able to offer your students. For Brenda Whitehead, Principal of Big Red Curtain Performing Arts, the Champion Centre fund has helped create opportunities that extend well beyond the exam room – including a very special charity cabaret that brought current and former students together, while raising vital funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
'We just had to come back for this – you have been our performing arts family for twelve years.'
'You’re the reason I’m here.'
These are just two of the wonderful comments from former students who returned to Big Red Curtain Performing Arts this year to take part in a very special charity event.
We wanted to create an evening that celebrated our students, past and present, while raising money for a cause that had become incredibly important to us. The result was a spectacular cabaret in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Research, with every penny raised going to the vital work of this charity.
For two hours, our students took the audience on a journey through the world of musical theatre. Performing in costume and bringing stories to life through acting, singing and dance, they showcased the incredible talent we have within our performing arts family.
The evening culminated in a 17-piece jazz orchestra performance, giving everyone the opportunity to dance the night away.
A very personal reason to raise money
Our 2025/26 academic year began with one of our directors undergoing surgery for stage 3 bowel cancer, followed by chemotherapy.
Throughout an incredibly difficult time, our students and their families were a constant source of support. They also wanted something positive to come from what we were experiencing and were determined to help raise vital funds for cancer research and kinder treatments.
Collectively, we chose Yorkshire Cancer Research and decided to produce and direct a showcase that would celebrate our students' talent while raising money for this important cause.
The support of Trinity College London
As a Trinity Champion Centre, we have access to the Champion Centre fund – a small pot of money available to Trinity Champion Centres to provide additional opportunities and experiences for their students. It’s something we have been proud to make use of over the years. We were delighted that they were able to support us, allowing us to use part of the fund towards hosting the evening, in return for featuring in our programme, alongside donations from other local businesses.
We also use the fund to support our annual Presentation of Awards afternoon, where we celebrate the achievements of all our students, from our youngest three-year-olds through to our 18-year-old leavers. Students receive trophies, medals, plaques and cups in recognition of their hard work and achievements, including awards for outstanding examination results in Speech and Drama and Musical Theatre.
For the past seven years, being a Trinity Champion Centre has helped us create these opportunities for our students and has supported us as we have continued to grow our business.
Creating opportunities for students
There are so many ways a Trinity Champion Centre can use the support available to engage and inspire students. It might be through costumes and performances, additional events or awards – or, as we discovered, through an event that brings an entire community together for an important cause.
At Big Red Curtain, we have an extensive costume store and are passionate about supporting our students in performances and shows. Opportunities such as these allow students to develop their confidence, creativity and performance skills while creating memories that stay with them long after they leave the stage.
Being a Champion Centre gives you another opportunity to showcase your students' talents and support them as they progress.
Thirty years of Big Red Curtain
We are incredibly proud of our students, past and present.
Over the years, many have gone on to successful careers in the West End, academia and conservatoires, while others have used the UCAS points they gained through their studies with us to take their next steps in life.
Of course, not every student sets out to become a professional performer – and that's not the point. We want every student to leave us with confidence, friendships, a sense of teamwork and the belief that they can achieve whatever comes next. And sometimes, along the way, we get to discover our next West End performer, actor or actress.
Next year is particularly special for us as we celebrate 30 years of Big Red Curtain Performing Arts. We are also incredibly excited to be opening another branch of our schools in September. We hope to once again become a Trinity Champion Centre and are already looking forward to creating another huge celebration – one where former students can return to the stage alongside our current students. Because, ultimately, that is what makes Big Red Curtain so special. Our students don't simply pass through our doors. They become part of our performing arts family.
And finally… thank you
The charity event raised an incredible £1,496.70 for Yorkshire Cancer Research. That donation will fund a researcher working on life-saving breakthroughs for more than 73 hours.
We couldn't be prouder of our students, their families, our former students and everyone who helped make the evening possible.
And a huge thank you to Trinity College London for supporting us through the Champion Centre fund.
What began as an incredibly difficult year became an evening filled with music, laughter, memories, friendship and hope.
We will never forget it.
Are you interested in applying for your organisation to become a Trinity Champion Centre in 2027? Find out more here.
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