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PICTURED: Jayden with one group of young people

PROFESSIONAL ACTOR Jayden Jean-Paul-Denis led an acting masterclass at the Anna Fiorentini's school’s Camden branch based at Parliament Hill School.

Paul-Denis’, best known for playing Frankie in the CBBC series Frank Zipzer, appeared at the school as a part of a community day revolving around the themes of diversity and celebrating uniqueness.

Earlier this year, the Fiorentini School won a grant from the National Lottery enabling it to deliver anti-bullying themed performing arts workshops in local schools as well as community days.

The actor attended Anna Fiorenti’s Film and Theatre school alongside a host of other stars includingOrla Hill (Song for Marion and Swallows & Amazons), Tahj Miles (Simba in the West End's The Lion King, Nipper in Oliver! and CBBC's Class Dismissed) and Jermain Jackman, who won The Voice UK 2014.

CONFIDENCE

On July 13, over 75 young people aged 7 to 16 were able to hone their acting technique alongside the West End star whilst building their confidence and making new friends.

They explored ways of how they could make their differences work for them and enable them to contribute positively to society.

They also practised role-playing exercises encouraging empathy; something that the Fiorentini School is passionate about developing especially in this day and age where bullying is destroying lives of so many young people.

During the singing class, they wrote and performed their own songs. Lyrics that the young people wrote included: "We all have our own unique spark", "Different is good, you don't have to fit in to be amazing", "We are strong on the inside..."

Founder and principal of Anna Fiorentini said: “Drama school gave me the confidence and self-belief to start my own business and grow it to this level.

“Access to the arts should be available to everyone, irrespective of their background or circumstance and that is why the work of the school is so important to me, creating the opportunity for children to get the same benefits as I did even if their parents do not have the means to send them along.”

The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School was established in 2001 as a Prince’s Trust Business to enable 7 to 18-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds to access professional performing arts training.

It has since won three Business of London awards and in 2012 Anna Fiorentini won the Inspirational Leader/Business Person award for The Camden and Islington Business Awards.

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