In The Spotlight - Danielle Stanley
How long have you been performing in showsI first started dancing when I was three years old, at The Neal Academy of Dance, in Loughborough.
What got you interested in music / theatre
I guess it was my mum who got me into dance, sending me to a dance class every Saturday morning. As for musical theatre, I have always love to watch a great musical, whether it be the West End or the local amateur groups. I couldn't wait until I was 14 so I could join a group and perform properly - saying that I actually joined Greasepaint when I was 13 (but sshhh)
What was your first show
My very first dance show/pantomime was "Snow White" with Neal's, at Stanford Hall Theatre, when I was 4 years old. I can't remember any of it (I had to ask my mum!). My first show at the Town Hall was ESNA's production of "Oliver" in 2000. I played an orphan and a street girl. (I really wanted to be in Fagin's gang and when I wasn't but my best friend was, I was a jealous little girl... for about 5 minutes!)
What has been your favourite show and/or character and why
It is hard to choose one definite favourite but picking out a couple it would be Greasepaint's production of "Joseph", because I have always loved the show, having performed it twice now, once in the kid's choir and once in the main company. Also, the three Town Hall Pantomimes I have done were fantastic! There's nothing better than a bit of cheese over the festive period. Out of the three I would say the most recent, "Sleeping Beauty", has got to be my favourite. It was my final year before I was too old to be part of the chorus and was a very memorable production to be part of.
What has been your most embarassing or funniest moment in a show
The funniest/embarrassing moment that I can think of was during the "Dick Whittington" panto at the town hall in 2005/06, where I played Tommy the cat. During one performance, I was standing back stage waiting to crawl on when I realised that I should have been on already! I panicked and in a fluster thought that I had to get on some how, but as I was meant to arrive with Dick I couldn't just crawl on! Fortunately the cast improvised, calling through the door, "Tommy, Tommy", and in I crawled as if I nothing had gone wrong!
Describe the best and worst costumes you have had to wear
In 14 years of dancing I have had many different costumes, some good, some bad and some just down right weird! One of my least favourite costumes would be my walk down dress, when I was doing "Cinderella" in panto. It was a meringue shaped gown, which had a rather large hooped under skirt that had a mind of its own! Then to top this off I had the biggest Marge Simpson style headdress, that looked like I had a giant candy floss on my head! On the other hand, amongst my favourite costumes would have to be my first 70s all-in-one halter neck suit. It was a marble multi coloured costume, with a matching 'pimp' style hat, and my glitter greek sandals. I think you can understand why I loved it! I even reused it 2 years later, and added bright pink flares, as I'd grown a bit in 2 years.
What has been your proudest moment
My proudest moment would have to be performing the "Bolero" with Carl Brierley-Edwards in my first Greasepaint production "Copacabana". It was an amazing experience and the biggest dance performance I had ever done. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that both my mum and grandma were crying because they were so proud. I'd actually kept it a secret from them (although saying that my mum sort of found out, but it still wasn't what she had expected). It was a great feeling making my family so proud and to this day it still comes up in conversation. For this I thank everyone for their support, especially Julie D and Carl!
If you could choose any show to perform in, what would it be and why
The one show I have always wanted to perform in is "Chicago". I have always wanted to perform the Cell Block Tango, as this is my favourite number in the show! Every time I listen to it I seem to dance in my head!! The overall musical is fantastic, there is not one song that I don't love and let's face it there would be some awesome costumes and dance numbers for all of us!
Do you have any plans to pursue theatre as a career
I am currently doing both dance and drama as two of my AS levels in the sixth form and hope to carry these on next year into A level. After A levels who knows - there are so many options (I am looking at maybe doing a 3 year course in musical theatre/dance somewhere). Ideally I would love to go to a college in London, but that is a whole different world! I also have a great passion for choreography, so a career in this is also an option I could take. My dream ever since I was a little girl has been to perform on the west end stage, so I hope that someday, with some hard work and effort, I might be able to pursue this dream, but for now I will just take things in my stride, one step at a time. If all this fails I would love to go into dance teaching, and maybe even become a PE/dance teacher in schools, as I also have a great love for sport!