The Chinley Graduate Giving the Arts Back to Everyone

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How One 22-Year-Old is Building a More Inclusive Arts Scene in the High Peak

For many young people with a passion for the performing arts, graduation marks a daunting cliff edge. The structured world of school plays and university drama societies gives way to a vast, unstructured industry where the next step is often unclear. It’s a gap that 22-year-old Molly Soden-Freeth from Chinley knows all too well. But instead of waiting for an opportunity, she decided to build one herself.

“Most theatre companies and workshops stop at 18 but then what happens?” Molly asks. “You have people with a passion for performing but no where to go.”

Her answer is Act 2 Performing, a new community interest company she founded to bridge this very gap. Based in the heart of the Peak District, Act 2 has a dual mission that is as ambitious as it is inspiring: to provide a vital platform for up-and-coming artists while simultaneously making the arts more accessible for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

For young performers aged 18 to 35, Act 2 offers a much-needed stepping stone. It provides a space to hone their craft, gain valuable stage experience, and learn the off-stage skills that are crucial for a career in the arts. The company’s current project is a full-scale production of the Disney hit High School Musical, set to run at the New Mills Art Theatre from 19th to 21st March. This isn’t just about putting on a show; it’s a comprehensive learning experience, teaching the cast everything from musical theatre techniques to how to market themselves to casting directors.

“It’s strange being a boss,” Molly admits, “but it is really interesting bringing all these creative people together.”

While one side of Act 2 is focused on nurturing the next generation of professional talent, the other is driven by a powerful social purpose. Molly has been taking her company into local schools, including Peak School, Hope Valley College’s SEND department, and Aquinas College, to run workshops for children with disabilities. These sessions provide a safe, accessible, and joyful environment for young people who might otherwise be excluded from the world of theatre.

“All art should be accessible but sadly this isn’t the case,” Molly states. “With Act 2, we are taking theatre to those people who may not experience it normally.”

The impact has been immediate and profound. The SEND workshops have proved so popular that Molly has already been approached to provide them on a more permanent, full-time basis, with the exciting prospect of funding from Arts Council England to support the expansion. It’s a testament to the pressing need for such inclusive programmes in the community.

Looking ahead, Molly’s vision for Act 2 is boundless. She hopes to expand both sides of the company, and in a few years, she aims to be writing and producing original productions, creating a truly homegrown High Peak theatre company. By identifying a need, having the courage to act, and possessing the drive to build something from the ground up, Molly Soden-Freeth is doing more than just putting on plays. She is creating opportunity, building confidence, and ensuring the arts in the High Peak have a vibrant and inclusive future.

A true local hero, taking her second act, and making it everyone’s.

Act 2 Performing’s production of High School Musical runs at the New Mills Art Theatre from 19th-21st March. Tickets are £15 and are available now from ticketsource.com.