New City College Performing Arts students take centre stage at Disneyland Paris

A magical and unforgettable four-day trip to Disneyland Paris saw Performing Arts students learn from professional choreographers and perform on a spectacular stage in the heart of the famous theme park.

For the 20 talented students, all studying Performing Arts, Music or Drama at New City College’s Havering Sixth Form Campus, the trip to France was much more than a chance to enjoy the Disney rides, shows, shopping and attractions. It was an opportunity to experience life as a professional performer, learning from Disney creatives before taking to the stage in front of a live audience.

One of the highlights of the trip was a musical theatre workshop led by a Disney choreographer and director, giving students the chance to work in one of the studios where Disneyland performers regularly rehearse.

Having prepared the lyrics to a ‘Friend Like Me’ from Aladdin in advance, they kicked off with a vocal warm-up before learning the choreography and putting everything together in an energetic final performance.

But the real showstopper came the following day when the students performed a selection of songs from the Disney Zombies movies at the Videopolis Theatre in Disneyland’s main park. With a 400-seat theatre, a professional crew and a sizeable audience, it was an exciting opportunity to put their training into practice in a very different setting from college.

For student Charlie Hood, the experience was particularly meaningful. He said: “The trip was amazing, and performing in front of such a big audience felt really special. It was an opportunity I never expected to be given, and I’m so grateful to have experienced it through my Performing Arts course. It showed me all the possibilities for the future as I’m hoping to become a professional dancer!”

Fellow student Robert Williams added: “As a kid, I always wanted to go to Disneyland – and there I was, performing on its stage in front of so many people! I never expected to perform somewhere so big when I joined the course, and it’s definitely been a highlight. It also opened my eyes to all the different career opportunities available after college.”

Other students found the trip was a real confidence boost and enabled them to develop their performance skills. Josh Giles said: “The whole trip was fun and amazing. Performing on the big stage was exciting and really helped me gain confidence as our performance went down well with the families watching.”

Alongside exploring the theme parks, watching parades and meeting the life-size characters, the group also had the opportunity to take in the sights of Paris during their stay. They took an open-top bus tour and saw the city’s famous landmarks illuminated at night – even catching the sparkling Eiffel Tower in all its glory.

Performing Arts Subject Leader Lisa Rogers said the trip had been an incredible experience for the students, combining professional development with the excitement of performing in such a famous venue.

She said: “Seeing the students work with Disney professionals, then take everything they had learnt and perform on the Disneyland stage was fantastic. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow and watch them rise to the occasion. Experiences like this really bring their learning to life and show them what they can achieve in the performing arts industry.”

Are you ready to be the star of the show?

Explore the opportunities available through the NCC Performing Arts Academy, which brings together the college’s Drama, Music, Dance and Performing Arts courses. Whether aspiring to perform professionally, develop creative skills or explore a future in the industry, NCC offers the chance to build confidence, gain experience and discover where your passion for performing can lead.

Find out more about Performing Arts courses at New City College and apply today.