STUART Inglis was just two-year-old when he dipped his toe into the world of performing arts. Today, aged 31, he runs a theatre school operating in Worcester and Malvern where scores of young people attend classes and workshops every week and some of their parents are among the team of volunteer helpers.

Stuart started dance training when he was just a toddler and continued to follow his interest in performing arts by doing GCSE drama and then going on to college to do a B Tech in performing arts.

But rather than heading for the bright lights of the stage and screen, Stuart had a deep passion for teaching and passing on his love and enthusiasm for dance, drama and other types of performing arts including cheerleading - otherwise known as cheer dance.

“I always wanted my own performing arts school,” said Stuart, who has been running All Sorts of Performing Arts in Worcester for the past two years.

As a young man he was well placed to learn about the world of dance and drama. He was living in Stratford-upon-Avon and this artistic streak was already running in his family – his mum was a ballroom dancer, his sister is now a dance teacher and his niece has just started ballet lessons.

He took the opportunity to learn about the back stage aspects of theatre – props, scenery and costumes – with the Pheonix Players and also took a stage management course.

“I wanted to know about every part of it. I can now appreciate every part of putting on a show,” said Stuart.

And it was a natural progression to set up his own performing arts school. Stuart said he liked Worcester as a place and wanted to offer the city something different while making it inclusive and not dependent upon families having lots of money to send their children along to classes.

He said there are a host of benefits for youngsters who go along to the All Sorts of Performing Arts classes – it’s fun, they socialise and make friends, gain confidence, learn skills and have to practise discipline as they progress.

“We support children who come along and won’t say a word and then they make friends and their confidence gets a boost,” he said.

Stuart set up his performing arts school in the city two years ago and started with just 10 children. He now works from four centres in the city – Worcester Baptist Church in Sansome Walk; Pitmaston School in St John’s; STARS Community Centre in Stanley Road and Bishop Perowne School, Green Lane, Worcester. The school has also operated from Worcester Arts Workshop, Sansome Street, Worcester, on its panto productions and runs sessions at the Cube in Malvern. There are plans to start sessions at Warndon Community Centre.

After just two years there are 100 young people aged from three to 14 using the school now and a team of 10 volunteers – some are parents and others are dance teachers offering their services on a voluntary basis.

The main production each year is the pantomime – Aladdin was staged at the Arts Workshop in 2014 and Jack and the Beanstalk was put on at Pitmaston School in 2015. But 70 of the students are putting on a special second anniversary production at Bishop Perowne School on May 21 to showcase their skills and creative talents.

Stuart explained that it is called The Enchanted Toy Box and a story based on the Wendy character from Peter Pan. Tickets are available online from Monday March 14 via www.allsortsofpa.co.uk.

Last year students from All Sorts of Performing Arts took part in a number of festivals in the city and, he added that, after entering Britain’s Got Talent in 2014, the school will be entering another group of students later this year.

Stuart said he is thrilled with the response from people in Worcester to performing arts. “It has been 10 times better than I thought it would. There is a potential for performing arts in Worcester and I do not think it gets the recognition it deserves.

“I am really proud to see how it has grown and the opportunities we are giving to everyone. It is fun and I really enjoy doing it and I am looking forward to the future. I have always wanted to pass on my love of the arts to everyone else.”

He said the school also runs an awards scheme. “We give out rosettes and we praise the children for their hard work. It is great to see them getting their prizes.”

New students start off in the Green Team where they have a gentle introduction to performing arts and can enjoy the fun aspect of it. After that they can progress to the Blue Team which involves more disciplined work.

Stuart says he hopes to introduce another progression called the Gold Team where students may be able to prepare for professional auditions. They can also assist with certain things to help anyone taking GCSEs in performing arts.

Most of the lessons are held during the school term time but some workshops are held in the holidays. Youngsters can go along to classes and join at any time – not just at the start of a term. Stuart said: “We have students who are still there from the first days and there are new people coming through the doors every week.”