SHE’S determined to make her theatrical dreams come true.
Hampshire schoolgirl Ella Williams, 16, has already made a serious impression treading the boards.
She has starred in the UK tours of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music alongside the likes of TV talent show favourite Connie Fisher, Michael Praed, Craig McLachlan and Richard O’Brien.
Ella took to The Mayflower stage again in The King & I and is a regular lead in her Thornden School productions and for Footlights Youth Theatre, winning a Daily Echo curtain call for her role as Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street.
Ella in the Sound of Music
She made her first foray into TV last year and filmed an episode of the BBC’s New Tricks.
And now she’s won a place at the prestigious ArtsEd School in London to follow in the footsteps of actors including Catherine Zeta Jones, Martin Clunes, Nigel Harman and the Strallen sisters.
But one thing stands in her way – the £14,000 a year fees which the school charges.
Ella’s parents, Paul and Lisa, from Chandler’s Ford will fund her accommodation in the capital and Ella has a part time job in Costa Coffee, but they need help from a sponsor to cover the prohibitive costs of the musical theatre BTEC course.
Ella with Arlene Phillips
The course covers singing, acting and dancing as well as academic study.
Ella told Your Entertainment: “This means everything to me, I just can’t imagine myself doing anything else.
“I’ve been doing this all my life and nothing else really makes me happy.”
The deadline for entrance to the school is fast approaching, but Ella is unwavering in her determination to make it in showbiz.
She added: “Even if it doesn’t happen this time, I’m not going to give up, I’m always going to keep trying regardless.
“It would just be a dream come true and I’m ready for it!”
- If you think you may be able to help Ella, call Lorelei Reddin at the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4877 to be put in touch.
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