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{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2009}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2009}}
{{Infobox musical artist

{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Samantha Dorrance
| name = Samantha Dorrance
| image =<!-- Free images only - album covers are not free -->
| image = Samantha Dorrance.jpg
| caption =
| caption = Dorrance in 2018
| image_size =
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer
| background = person
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[U.K.]]
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| instrument = [[Vocals]], [[Guitar]], [[Piano]]
| occupation = Actress, singer, dancer
| genre = [[Dance-pop]], [[Bubblegum pop]]
| years_active = 2006–present
| occupation = [[Actress]], [[Singer]], [[Dancer]]
| years_active = 2006 ─ present
| label =
| label =
| website = [http://www.samanthadorrance.com/index.htm Official site]
| website = {{url|samanthadorrance.com}}
}}
}}


'''Samantha Dorrance''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] actress, singer and dancer from [[Willenhall]] in the [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] who reached fame on [[Disney Channel UK]]. She played the lead role of Laura in both the UK Tour and West End versions of [[Dreamboats and Petticoats]].
'''Samantha Dorrance''' is a British actress, singer-songwriter, TV presenter and writer who reached fame on [[Disney Channel UK]]. Best known for playing [[Mr Tumble]]'s best friend Tootsie on [[Cbeebies]] and for her role of Laura in ''[[Dreamboats and Petticoats]]'' London's West End.


==Biography==
==Biography==

===Early life===
Samantha grew up in [[Willenhall]], in the [[Metropolitan Borough of Walsall]] with her younger brother and parents. Samantha was [[home-schooled]].

Since the age of 2, Samantha has been dancing and performing at numerous dance and acting schools in the West Midlands area, which led to her dancing in pantomimes at both [[Wolverhampton Grand Theatre]] & [[Stafford Garrick Theatre]] as well as performing in many amateur dramatic productions at several locations, including Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, The [[Old Rep Theatre]], Birmingham and [[The Dormston Centre]] in Sedgley.


===Career===
===Career===
Samantha won [[Disney Channel]]'s "You're the Star" talent competition in 2007 which led to the release of her debut single "Music in Me". She went on to host her own talent show on the channel "My School Musical" alongside her co-presenter and childhood sweetheart, [[Brad Kavanagh]]. She then joined the Disney Movie Surfer's team, flying to movie sets worldwide to take Disney viewers backstage of the latest Disney Movies.
Samantha has entered several dancing and singing competitions, including one for the [[BBC]] children's programme, [[Blue Peter]], which saw her get through to the semi-final live on [[BBC1]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} [http://www.samanthadorrance.com/about%20me.htm]


At 19, Samantha landed her first West End lead as Laura in [[Dreamboats and Petticoats]] for [[Bill Kenwright]]. She had a successful 2 year run at both The Playhouse and The Wyndham's.
In 2007, Samantha won the [[High School Musical]] You're The Star! Competition on [[Disney Channel]] UK, after being voted by viewers. The prize for this was to have an all-expenses paid trip to [[London]] to record a music video. This video resulted in her appearing on her regional [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] news programme, [[Central Tonight]]. Her exceptional performance resulted in her being hand picked to audition for a role as presenter of the 2008 competition, [[My High School Musical]], which had a slightly different format. She was picked and presented the programme alongside Brad Kavanagh.


Samantha went back to Disney for a while to present 2 more shows. "The Disney Channel Dance Along" and Disney's "You Can Do It". She has also presented for the likes of [[SKY VIP]] and [[LEGO]].
In September 2009, Samantha successfully auditioned for the part of Wendy in the pantomime Peter Pan which was performed at the brand new [[Theatre Severn]] in Shrewsbury, Shropshire from December 2009 into January 2010. She performed alongside [[Emmerdale]] star [[Matt Healy]] who played Mr Darling and Captain Hook.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pan will fly as theatre stages first panto|url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/latest/2009/12/08/pan-will-fly-as-theatre-stages-first-panto/|accessdate=4 March 2012|newspaper=Shropshire Star|date=8 December 2009}}</ref>


She is known for starring in both UK and International theatre tours playing role's such as Gertrude McFuzz in [[Suessical the Musical]] and [[Skye]] in Nickelodeon Arena Tour of [[Paw Patrol]]. She is also knows for her guest appearances in shows such as [[BBC Doctors]].
She took on the lead role of Cinderella at The Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury from December 2010 to January 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Disney girl lands Cinderella role|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2010/03/03/disney-girl-lands-cinderella-role/|accessdate=4 March 2012|newspaper=Express and Star|date=3 March 2010}}</ref>


One of her most loved role's has been starring alongside [[Justin Fletcher]] as Mr Tumble's silly best friend, Tootsie in The Tale of Mr Tumble. A [[Cbeebies]] feature length in partnership with [[Manchester International Festival|MIF]] (Manchester International Festival)
Between February and April 2011 Sam played the part of Tracey in a brand new play by Alan Share called Death of A Nightingale at The New End Theatre in Hampstead, London<ref>{{cite book|last=Share|first=Alan|title=Death of a Nightingale|year=2011|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=978-1-4343-5179-1|url=https://books.google.com/?id=fNAkZWi6cWgC&lpg=PR28&dq=death%20of%20a%20nightingale%20dorrance&pg=PR4#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> and from June 2011 until March 2012 she toured the UK, Ireland and Luxembourg playing the lead role of Laura in the hit musical [[Dreamboats and Petticoats]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}


Samantha is also creative behind the camera. She wrote and produced her own children's stage show "Sammy & The Sparks" which she successfully toured around the UK in 2023. Because of her writing, filming, editing and animation skills, Samantha was given the role of Creative Director at production house, ELT throughout lockdown. When she began, they were making educational content for schools worldwide, teaching children English grammar through song. By the time she left, they were also creating and airing their own TV show in Japan. Samantha also wrote 10 songs for the show and over 30 episodes, working closely with Oxford University.
Samantha got her dream job as a West End leading lady, when she was transferred to London's Playhouse Theatre and then later in the year to The Wyndham's Theatre, where she carried on playing Laura in [[Dreamboats and Petticoats]].


She has performed in over 20 pantomimes, her favourite according to social media has been playing Goldilocks in Goldilocks and The Three Bears at Birmingham Hippodrome. Directed by Michael Harrison for [[Crossroads Live]].
After leaving [[Dreamboats and Petticoats]], Samantha went back to television where she played the part of Zoe in [[BBC One]] program ''[[Doctors (soap opera)|Doctors]]'' and then took on the role of television presenter again for [[Disney Channel]] in a show teaching children to dance, as part of the Fit for Life Campaign which aired through the summer of 2014. At the end of that year Samantha played [[Snow White]] at Middleton Arena

In 2015 Samantha played the part of Tootsie, the best friend of [[CBeebies]]' [[Mr Tumble]] in ''The Tale of Mr Tumble'' which was a new show for the [[Manchester International Festival]]. This was first aired on the [[CBeebies]] channel in November 2015 and has been repeated sporadically since, primarily around the Christmas holidays.

In the autumn of 2015 Samantha played the part of [[Gertrude McFuzz]] in the musical [[Seussical]] for the Sell a Door company, which took her to [[Bridlington Spa]], Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

2015/16 Samantha played [[Princess Jasmine]] alongside [[Paul Daniels]] in [[Aladdin]] at the [[Regent Theatre (Ipswich)]].

2016/17 Samantha played [[Wendy]] in [[Peter Pan]] at the [[Octagon Theatre]] in Yeovil.

In the summer of 2017 Samantha landed the role of [[Skye]] in Nickelodeon's first UK & Ireland arena tour of [[Paw Patrol]] Live.

2017/18 Samantha played [[Wendy]] alongside [[Shaun Williamson]] [[Wendi Peters]] and [[Gemma Hunt]] in [[Peter Pan]] at the [[Marlowe Theatre]] in Canterbury.

In 2018 Samantha played Vicky Coake a guest role on [[BBC1]] ''[[Doctors (soap opera)|Doctors]]'' and has played alongside [[Justin Fletcher]] in his new Stage show 'Justin's Band' playing at theatres throughout the UK and ending at the [[Theatre Royal Drury Lane]].

===Music===
Samantha is also a singer/songwriter and with her band, recorded 5 songs for her EP called Going My Way.


==Discography==
==Discography==
;'''Studio singles/albums:'''
;'''Studio singles/albums'''
* City Life (2012)
* "City Life" (2012)
* Going My Way (2015)
* ''Going My Way'' (2015)
* "Love Me Like You Do" (2015)
* "Holding You" ft. Joe Sterling (2016)
* ''Original Cast Recording of 1066 The Musical'' (2021)


==Credits==
==Credits==
* '''2007''' - You're The Star Competition on Disney Channel UK, winner.
* '''2007''' – You're the Star Competition on Disney Channel UK, winner.
* '''2008''' - My School Musical on Disney Channel UK, presenter.
* '''2008''' – My School Musical on Disney Channel UK, presenter.
* '''2008''' - High School Musical 3 Movie Surfers, Disney Channel US, presenter.
* '''2008''' – High School Musical 3 Movie Surfers, Disney Channel US, presenter.
* '''2009''' - Peter Pan, Spillers, Wendy.
* '''2009''' – Peter Pan, Spillers, Wendy.
* '''2010''' - Cinderella, Spillers, Cinderella.
* '''2010''' – Cinderella, Spillers, Cinderella.
* '''2011''' - Dealth of a Nightingale, Tracey.
* '''2011''' – Death of a Nightingale, Tracey.
* '''2011''' - Dreamboats & Petticoats 2011 Tour, Laura.
* '''2011''' – Dreamboats & Petticoats 2011 Tour, Laura.
* '''2011''' - Cinderella, Spillers, Cinderella.
* '''2011''' – Cinderella, Spillers, Cinderella.
* '''2012''' - Dreamboats & Petticoats 2012 Tour, Laura.
* '''2012''' – Dreamboats & Petticoats 2012 Tour, Laura.
* '''2012''' - Dreamboats & Petticoats (West End), Laura.
* '''2012''' – Dreamboats & Petticoats (West End), Laura.
* '''2013''' - Doctors, BBC1, Zoe.
* '''2013''' – Doctors, BBC1, Zoe.
* '''2013''' - Snow White, Shone Productions, Snow White.
* '''2013''' – Snow White, Shone Productions, Snow White.
* '''2014''' - Disney Dance Along, Disney Channel, Presenter.
* '''2014''' – Disney Dance Along, Disney Channel, Presenter.
* '''2014''' - Dance With Disney Junior, Disney Juniors, Presenter.
* '''2014''' – Dance With Disney Junior, Disney Juniors, Presenter.
* '''2015''' - The Tale of Mr Tumble, MIF BBC CBeebies, Tootsie.
* '''2015''' – The Tale of Mr Tumble, MIF BBC CBeebies, Tootsie.
* '''2015''' - Seussical International Tour, Sell A Door, Gertrude McFuzz.
* '''2015''' – Seussical International Tour, Sell A Door, Gertrude McFuzz.
* '''2015''' - Aladdin, Enchanted Entertainments, Princess Jasmine.
* '''2015''' – Aladdin, Enchanted Entertainments, Princess Jasmine.
* '''2016''' - Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy - Octagon Theatre, Yeovil.
* '''2016''' – Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy – Octagon Theatre, Yeovil.
* '''2017''' - Paw Patrol LIVE, Nickelodeon/Lifelike Touring, Skye.
* '''2017''' – Paw Patrol LIVE, Nickelodeon/Lifelike Touring, Skye.
* '''2017''' - Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy - Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.
* '''2017''' – Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy – [[Marlowe Theatre]], Canterbury.
* '''2018''' - Doctors, BBC1, Vicky Coake.
* '''2018''' – Doctors, BBC1, Vicky Coake.
* '''2018''' - Justin's Band Tour, Herself.
* '''2018''' – Justin's Band Tour, Herself.
* '''2018''' - Lake Erie, October Films, Debbie.
* '''2018''' – Lake Erie, October Films, Debbie.
* '''2018''' – Explain With Lego, Lego, Presenter.
* '''2019–2020''' – Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy.
* '''2020''' – Creative Director at ELT.
* '''2021''' – SKY VIP, SKY, Presenter.
* '''2021–2022''' – Goldilocks & The Three Bears at Birmingham Hippodrome, Crossroads LIVE, Goldilocks.
* '''2022''' – Sammy & The Sparks LIVE, debut show, Writer/Producer
* '''2022''' – SKY VIP, SKY, Presenter.
* '''2022–2023''' – Beauty & The Beast, Evolution, Beauty.
* '''2023''' – Sammy & The Sparks LIVE, UK Tour, Writer/Producer.
* '''2023–2024''' – Snow White, Imagine Theatre, Snow White.


==References==
==References==

{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website}}
*[http://www.samanthadorrance.com/ Official site]


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Willenhall]]
[[Category:People from Willenhall]]
[[Category:British female singers]]
[[Category:British women singers]]

Latest revision as of 16:15, 19 March 2024

Samantha Dorrance
Dorrance in 2018
Dorrance in 2018
Background information
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, dancer
Years active2006–present
Websitesamanthadorrance.com

Samantha Dorrance is a British actress, singer-songwriter, TV presenter and writer who reached fame on Disney Channel UK. Best known for playing Mr Tumble's best friend Tootsie on Cbeebies and for her role of Laura in Dreamboats and Petticoats London's West End.

Biography

[edit]

Career

[edit]

Samantha won Disney Channel's "You're the Star" talent competition in 2007 which led to the release of her debut single "Music in Me". She went on to host her own talent show on the channel "My School Musical" alongside her co-presenter and childhood sweetheart, Brad Kavanagh. She then joined the Disney Movie Surfer's team, flying to movie sets worldwide to take Disney viewers backstage of the latest Disney Movies.

At 19, Samantha landed her first West End lead as Laura in Dreamboats and Petticoats for Bill Kenwright. She had a successful 2 year run at both The Playhouse and The Wyndham's.

Samantha went back to Disney for a while to present 2 more shows. "The Disney Channel Dance Along" and Disney's "You Can Do It". She has also presented for the likes of SKY VIP and LEGO.

She is known for starring in both UK and International theatre tours playing role's such as Gertrude McFuzz in Suessical the Musical and Skye in Nickelodeon Arena Tour of Paw Patrol. She is also knows for her guest appearances in shows such as BBC Doctors.

One of her most loved role's has been starring alongside Justin Fletcher as Mr Tumble's silly best friend, Tootsie in The Tale of Mr Tumble. A Cbeebies feature length in partnership with MIF (Manchester International Festival)

Samantha is also creative behind the camera. She wrote and produced her own children's stage show "Sammy & The Sparks" which she successfully toured around the UK in 2023. Because of her writing, filming, editing and animation skills, Samantha was given the role of Creative Director at production house, ELT throughout lockdown. When she began, they were making educational content for schools worldwide, teaching children English grammar through song. By the time she left, they were also creating and airing their own TV show in Japan. Samantha also wrote 10 songs for the show and over 30 episodes, working closely with Oxford University.

She has performed in over 20 pantomimes, her favourite according to social media has been playing Goldilocks in Goldilocks and The Three Bears at Birmingham Hippodrome. Directed by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Live.

Discography

[edit]
Studio singles/albums
  • "City Life" (2012)
  • Going My Way (2015)
  • "Love Me Like You Do" (2015)
  • "Holding You" ft. Joe Sterling (2016)
  • Original Cast Recording of 1066 The Musical (2021)

Credits

[edit]
  • 2007 – You're the Star Competition on Disney Channel UK, winner.
  • 2008 – My School Musical on Disney Channel UK, presenter.
  • 2008 – High School Musical 3 Movie Surfers, Disney Channel US, presenter.
  • 2009 – Peter Pan, Spillers, Wendy.
  • 2010 – Cinderella, Spillers, Cinderella.
  • 2011 – Death of a Nightingale, Tracey.
  • 2011 – Dreamboats & Petticoats 2011 Tour, Laura.
  • 2011 – Cinderella, Spillers, Cinderella.
  • 2012 – Dreamboats & Petticoats 2012 Tour, Laura.
  • 2012 – Dreamboats & Petticoats (West End), Laura.
  • 2013 – Doctors, BBC1, Zoe.
  • 2013 – Snow White, Shone Productions, Snow White.
  • 2014 – Disney Dance Along, Disney Channel, Presenter.
  • 2014 – Dance With Disney Junior, Disney Juniors, Presenter.
  • 2015 – The Tale of Mr Tumble, MIF BBC CBeebies, Tootsie.
  • 2015 – Seussical International Tour, Sell A Door, Gertrude McFuzz.
  • 2015 – Aladdin, Enchanted Entertainments, Princess Jasmine.
  • 2016 – Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy – Octagon Theatre, Yeovil.
  • 2017 – Paw Patrol LIVE, Nickelodeon/Lifelike Touring, Skye.
  • 2017 – Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy – Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.
  • 2018 – Doctors, BBC1, Vicky Coake.
  • 2018 – Justin's Band Tour, Herself.
  • 2018 – Lake Erie, October Films, Debbie.
  • 2018 – Explain With Lego, Lego, Presenter.
  • 2019–2020 – Peter Pan, Evolution, Wendy.
  • 2020 – Creative Director at ELT.
  • 2021 – SKY VIP, SKY, Presenter.
  • 2021–2022 – Goldilocks & The Three Bears at Birmingham Hippodrome, Crossroads LIVE, Goldilocks.
  • 2022 – Sammy & The Sparks LIVE, debut show, Writer/Producer
  • 2022 – SKY VIP, SKY, Presenter.
  • 2022–2023 – Beauty & The Beast, Evolution, Beauty.
  • 2023 – Sammy & The Sparks LIVE, UK Tour, Writer/Producer.
  • 2023–2024 – Snow White, Imagine Theatre, Snow White.

References

[edit]
[edit]
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