AN East Lancashire theatre school has moved to its own premises in Altham – a “dream come true” for the two sisters who run it.
Clair and Sarah Bruce have been running Talent Theatre School since 2005.
The school previously held classes around East Lancashire, but now, for the first time, it has its own dedicated base.
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Sarah, 26, and Clair, 30, have rented 3,000sq ft of space in Altham Business Park for the next three years.
From there they will teach dance, drama and musical theatre, with a range of classes on offer, including tap, ballet, jazz, singing – and even baby massage.
Sarah said: “It’s amazing. We still can’t believe it.
“We’ve always wanted to just be able to give our pupils and new pupils a home that they love to dance in and want to come to.
“That’s what we had when we grew up, we loved going dancing.
“We wanted to give that to all our kids, instead of being stuck in a church hall.”
Both of the sisters – who are professional dancers – went away to do their training before returning home to start the school.
Clair went to London, while Sarah went to Phil Winstons Theatreworks in Blackpool.
The pair, who are from Sabden, were previously renting rooms in Read, Clitheroe, and Great Harwood to hold their classes in.
Sarah said the new studio was the result of years of hard work.
She said: “We’ve worked our butts off.
“We carried on and carried on and carried on.
“It’s a dream come true, more than ever.”
They currently teach at least 60 children, with the help of some student teachers.
The pair cater for all ages, and also run adult dance classes.
Sarah said their big ambition was to open a full-time post-16 theatre school.
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