Entrepreneur Ciará shines spotlight on students

A 22-year-old Lancaster entrepreneur is proof that age is no barrier if you have a clear goal, a strong purpose and bucket loads of determination.

Ciará Moriarty is quickly making a name for herself in regional business circles - setting up her own theatre school and becoming the youngest Entrepreneur in Residence at Lancaster University by the age of 21 and more recently recognised in Lancashire Business View magazine’s Sub 36 awards. 

Ciará said: “I was coming to the end of my degree, a BA Hons in Drama, Theatre & Performance at Lancaster University at the height of the Covid pandemic and didn’t know what was next in such uncertain times. 

“I realised there were no facilities in Lancaster to teach young children from the age of 4 to 14 in singing, dancing and acting in a local theatre, so boldly approached The Dukes Theatre in Moor Lane and booked a series of spots to do just that for the first year.”

It was a big financial commitment for a student still completing her dissertation, but she was determined and as Ciará opened the doors to The Performance Studios she had 14 students on her books – the maximum allowed due to Covid restrictions. 

Today, The Performance Studios is a thriving, bustling business with over 80 full-time young students and employer to six local qualified teachers.

Now, to celebrate the achievements of her students, Ciará is to hold her first exclusive public show at The Grand Theatre in Lancaster on August 6th at 4pm.

‘Take One, A Night at The Movies’ will see her talented young students perform live in front of their biggest audience.

Ciará said: “These children were locked down for almost 2 years of their lives – and for our four-year-olds that’s half of their lifetimes! The show gives them all their childhood freedom back. It’s their moment to shine and show their families how performing has helped build up confidences which may have been lost in the last few years.”

Recognising the hard work put in by Ciará and her students, the Lloyd Motor Group has offered to sponsor the event, which has also enabled Ciará to offer reduced prices to the public.

Kim Hayton, customer relations manager, BMW Lloyd, South Lakes, said: “We are delighted to support Ciara and the students of The Performance Studios for their upcoming show. It’s great to see theatre shows coming back and giving our young, talented community the opportunity to shine on stage! Good luck to all involved."

Tickets for the show are available from The Lancaster Grand website https://bit.ly/3Bp1c9k