From Stagecoach Student to Creative Director: How a Summer Showcase led to professional theatre production

When Gary Jerry first stepped into a Stagecoach class in Newcastle upon Tyne back in 1997, he couldn’t have known it would shape not just his youth, but his entire career.

What started as three hours of performing arts on a Saturday quickly became a lifelong passion – one that’s taken him across the world as a performer, musical director, and now Creative Director of the very same Summer Showcase that launched his journey.

Discovering the spark

Like many young performers, Gary didn’t initially see the arts as a career. “My school wasn’t a performing arts school – I was leaning towards English and geography,” he recalls. “But then I did my first Stagecoach Summer Showcase at 11 and for the first time, I thought, I could actually do this.”

It wasn’t just about being on stage. It was about being seen, supported, and inspired by those around him.

“The people at Stagecoach gave me confidence,” he says. “The whole experience and the standards they set made me want to go back again and again. Whether you were in the ensemble or playing a lead, you were part of something that felt professional, challenging, and unforgettable.”

The real turning point came at 16. Gary explains: “I can pinpoint the time I realised that I was going to make a career from this. I was 16 and playing the lead role in the Summer Showcase. It changed everything.”

Those summers didn’t just build skills either – they built friendships, work ethics, and an artistic family. “The people I met during those Showcases are still my friends and colleagues today. We lived like a family for two weeks, and that bond never really goes away,” says Gary.

Coming full circle

For Gary, Stagecoach opened the door to drama school, national tours, cruise ship contracts, and eventually, to directing and musical direction on some of the UK’s biggest stages.

After years as a student, Gary was invited back – first as an assistant director, then as the full director of the Summer Showcase. “Aside from one year off, I’ve directed the Summer Showcase for 20 years,” he says. “It’s a real privilege to now be the person helping the next generation discover what I found back then.”

His approach as a director is deeply informed by his experience as a student. “We keep the traditions – the high standards, the full commitment to the craft – but we also innovate. We cast with inclusivity and creativity in mind, and we encourage students to be collaborators, not just performers.”

Beyond Stagecoach

Gary’s career since his Stagecoach days is impressive. He’s performed in everything from A Christmas Carol to arena tours with CBeebies Live, and he’s worked as a musical director for touring productions like I Should Be So Lucky, The Wizard of Oz, and Coraline. He’s composed successful children’s theatre, conducted orchestras, and taught at top performing arts academies.

But through it all, Stagecoach has remained his creative home.

“If just one student takes something I’ve said and passes it on, I’ll be happy,” he says. “Stagecoach set me up with the skills, confidence, and mindset I needed. Everything else grew from that.”

Looking back to look forward

With this year’s Summer Showcase cast confirmed for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we asked what advice Gary would give to his younger self ahead of a big performance: “Worry less. You’ve got this. You don’t have to be the most talented – just the most committed. And if you love it, that’s enough.”

With creative planning now in full swing, Gary adds: “Yes, we’ve got the big mechanical car and some fun technical challenges, but that’s not what will steal the show. The heart of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is its characters – and that’s what I want the students, and the audience, to fall in love with.

“It’s surprisingly relatable – quirky, emotional, and beautifully written. We’re asking the cast to think about how this story still connects today, and how to tell it truthfully in 2025.

“And don’t underestimate the power of the ensemble. You’re not ‘just’ in the background – you’re the backbone. In many ways, it’s the most important part of the show. That’s where I learned versatility, discipline, and storytelling.”

Whether you’re dreaming of being on stage or discovering where you belong behind the scenes, becoming a Stagecoach student at one of their local schools could be your launchpad — just like it was for Gary. And this summer, his story continues, with a magical car, a bold cast, and another unforgettable two weeks.