PERFORMING arts students from a Middlesbrough school will be taking to the stage as the opening act at a new music venue.

Pupils from Middlesbrough’s Unity City Academy will perform at TFM Soundworks as part of their school coursework.

As the opening for a summer gig the Year 10 students will perform their final routine inspired by Madonna’s 1980s classic hits in front of a packed audience.

Before their final 15-minute performance the group of pupils will research Madonna, along with the dance scene and fashion trends of the 1980s.

They will also create their own choreography, organise their own make up and costumes for the evening, including props, and take into consideration technical issues including sound, lighting and marketing.

Students visited the multi-purpose venue in February as part of their coursework to understand how events are organised and staged. They spent an interesting afternoon observing production from performer to stage management.

TFM Soundworks is encouraging schools and colleges across the region to take advantage of the state of facilities they have available.

Events and marketing manager at TFM Soundworks, Junior Masandi, said: “The students were blown away when we announced that they could perform their final routine at a gig in the summer.

“With all the latest state-of-the-art equipment available to use on site we are encouraging schools and colleges throughout the region to take advantage and allow students to get first-hand experience.”

TFM Soundworks staff surprised the students with free tickets to see Tinne Tempah perform on April 8th to help them get an insight into performing on the main stage.

The venue is also regularly used by students from Middlesbrough College to get first-hand experience of using sound and lighting equipment.

The date of the gig, and main headline act, will be announced soon.