Studio 76, based in West Derby Road in Tuebrook, provides fully-funded dance training for young people from the age of 14 with places limited to just 20 performers every year

Liverpool Theatre School has announced plans to take over one of the city’s top dance academies, Studio 76. As part of the acquisition, Liverpool Theatre School Principal, Maxine Ellis, will head up both training organisations.  

Studio 76, based in West Derby Road in Tuebrook, provides fully-funded dance training for young people from the age of 14. Places are limited to just 20 performers every year and students are required to pass an audition to secure a place on the training college’s BTEC courses.

Academic results are also taken into account as part of the application process. 

Liverpool Theatre School, which offers training to school leavers, also requires students to pass an audition to gain access to its Trinity College London diploma courses in either musical theatre or acting. 

Maxine Ellis, principal of Liverpool Theatre School, whose graduates have gone on to perform in hit shows from the West End to Broadway, said: “I am thrilled to be taking over the running of Studio 76, which has a fantastic reputation for its dance training.

“Studio 76 attracts guest teachers and choreographers from the West End, as well as some of the best London dance academies and I am looking forward to ensuring the continued success of both the college and its students.   

“Bringing Studio 76 together with Liverpool Theatre School is really going to help improve opportunities for the city’s young performers, allowing them to move seamlessly from the age of 14 right up to a professional level.” 

The teaching staff at Studio 76 and Liverpool Theatre School will be unaffected by the acquisition. Students at Studio 76 will continue to train at the training academy’s West Derby Road base, while students at Liverpool Theatre School will continue to train at its Aigburth Road studios.