New mum Katie Farnsworth has come full circle as the latest franchisee at the Dragons’ Den-backed theatre school franchise. As a professional dancer, graduating in 2014, Katie performed all over the world, including the USA, India, Greece and the UK, before meeting her partner and starting a family.
More than ten years ago, she successfully auditioned for the TUI First Choice Holiday contract with Razzamataz Theatre Schools, where she taught young holidaymakers performing arts for two seasons on the Greek island of Kos and Portugal.
“These contracts were a lot of fun and I really enjoyed working for Razzamataz but at the time, I wasn’t really thinking about setting up my own business but I do think it was probably always in the back of my mind,” says Katie. “I came back into contact with the company in 2020 when I started teaching for the Brentwood school in Essex.”
Since that time, Katie met her partner and had a baby who is now ten months old and decided to move to Norwich, a place where she feels very settled. “What has been very exciting is that I’ve been able to take a business with me to the place that I want to live,” says Katie. “I’ve known Razzamataz for a long time and know how successful they are. It’s obviously a big step launching your own business but I’m confident because I understand their ethos, which very much aligns to my own and I believe Razzamataz can really offer something unique to the young people of this area.”
Katie will be launching Razzamataz Norwich in September this year, which is in time to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary. She has been in regular contact with the Head Office team and is looking forward to starting her training, where she will learn every element of running a theatre school.
“I know from talking to the team how important it is to connect to the community around you and I’m passionate about providing the children and their families with unique opportunities,” says Katie. “Every child will be welcome, regardless of their ability and myself and my team of teachers will ensure that the school is a friendly place for all young people to thrive.”
As a mum to a young child, Katie is reassured that Razzamataz offers such flexibility to allow her to spend time with her daughter. “I really want to show her that you can run a business, work and still do the things you love, which for me is to continue to perform,” adds Katie. “Although it’s early days in this exciting new chapter of my life, so far it has been great and I feel very supported in this new role. It’s been quite a journey from being a young teacher at Razzamataz’s summer schools overseas, to now getting ready to open my own theatre school but it definitely feels like a natural progression and one that will fit well into my lifestyle, providing me with a fulfilling opportunity to blend my passion for education and performing arts with my role as a parent.”
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Training takes place regularly at the Razzamataz Head Office in the beautiful Lake District and Flagship school Razzamataz Carlisle.