An actor who trained at one of the North East's longest running performing arts schools will star in the new Lego film. Jada Langley, 20, who attended SA Performing Arts Centre in Byker, Newcastle, will appear in Lego Friends: Heartlake the Musical.
Lego's first musical feature film
The film, based on the toy brand's Lego Friends line, will launch on Netflix on October 16. It is Lego's first ever musical feature film and is being produced by High School Musical director Kenny Ortega.
Jada, who is originally from Washington, will appear in the film alongside British actor Gino Ochello. She has previously competed on The Voice Kids, at the age of 15, and The Voice age 16.
From SA Performing Arts to UK tour
Jada was encouraged to audition for SA Performing Arts by a teacher at secondary school when she was 16 years old - despite having no previous training. She studied the centre's full-time course, which covers musical theatre, dance and drama, graduating last year.
Immediately after filming Lego Friends, Jada went straight into rehearsals for the UK tour of Olivier Award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon, based on the 1960s rock band The Kinks.
She said: "Landing this role still hasn't sunk in, it's like a dream. I absolutely love being in front of a camera, so I'm hoping this is just the start. I never thought being an actor would be possible."
"SA Performing Arts literally changed my life - I can't even think about what it would look like if I hadn't gone. Now I get to call myself an actor. That's my job, and I never thought that would happen."
25th anniversary of SA Performing Arts Centre
SA Performing Arts Centre was first launched in 2001 by Lucy Sage as a way to provide industry-leading performing arts training to young people in the North East, without them having to leave home and go to London. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this month.
Lucy, who is also the Principal, has praised Jada for her hard work. She said: "From the first day Jada walked into class she was a star; hard working, dedicated, passionate and naturally talented, it may be a cliché, but she really was a pleasure to teach."
"Just a year since graduating she's filmed a movie then gone straight into a UK tour, that's the scenario that most graduates can only dream of, and she deserves every bit of success it brings." SA Performing Arts alumni have gone on to work in the industry outside of the region and even internationally, with many performing in TV, film, radio and onstage around the world.
