As we approach Make Believe’s 16th birthday on the 7th June we thought it would be great to share with you some of the iconic moments in our history. Here’s the first clip giving you an insight into where it all began back in 2004.
Welcome to the happiest place ever! Make Believe is the worlds most exciting performing arts company! A place where young people learn to sing, act and dance, realise their potential dreams and aspirations, whatever their level or ability; a place where students flourish, make friends and have fun; go on a journey that extends horizons and self belief; a safe environment that builds confidence and confronts apprehensions; a brand that parents and carers trust and a brand that makes children and young people happy.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to wake every child’s dreams, whether it be treading the boards of the Sydney Opera House, or simply feeling more confident and happy; we develop children’s curiosity and creativity and offer a positive, happy, life-changing hobby. In short, we mentor our students to dream it, do it and believe it! Our model is refreshingly simple – a happy family learning atmosphere where talented and motivated teachers inspire and provide students with the confidence to believe and make it happen.
Make Believe is a place where young people learn skills for life.
About Us
Make Believe together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading, diversified international brand teaching thousands of young people every single week. Starting in 2004 with just five students and one school, the company has grown to over 150 classes, 200 teachers and 3500 students. Together with our schools, Make Believe now has a production company, talent agency, events division and franchise network. Since our establishment we have welcomed in excess of 25000 young people be a part of the Make Believe journey.
Make Believe Timeline
2005 – Meet The Parents
A rare opportunity to hear the thoughts of Joel’s parents when their 15 year old son came home to say that he wanted to start his own school. Behind every child who believes he can do it are parents who believed it first! We hope you enjoy clip two in our journey through time!
2006 – Meet One Of Our First Ever Students
Hayden McClean one of our first ever students talks to us about the impact that Make Believe has had on his life. He is living proof that with a dream and a focus, anything is possible!
2007 – The Next Generation
The next generation, Make Believe’s first production at the Stratford Circus Theatre which now happens to be the Headquarters for the company. It’s incredible to see all the students living their dream on stage and doing what they love! We hope you enjoy clip four in our Make Believe timeline!
2008 – A Journey Through Imagination
Make Believe will forever evolve as long as we all continue to imagine, dream and do! This year the school doubled in size and we produced our second show at the Stratford Circus Theatre. What a year, what a journey! We hope you enjoy clip five of fifteen in our most iconic Make Believe moments!
2009 – Annie Body Want To Be A Star?
This was the year that Make Believe reached the hearts and minds of thousands as we began our tour of everyone’s favourite family show. We hosted auditions at the Liberty & Brent Cross shopping centres and had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Saatchi & Saatchi one of the biggest ad agencies in the world. From the Shaw to the Bloomsbury Theatre, we had the joy of working with some phenomenal young people to whom we are proud to have had the pleasure to teach! We hope you enjoy video number six of fifteen in our Make Believe historical timeline.
2010 – Meet Jack Fresco And Hear About His Grand Slam Moment At Make Believe!
We will always be remembered for the things that we say and do and we will certainly remember the kind words that Jack speaks in video number seven of fifteen. Another iconic year, another fantastic show and another group of incredibly talented young people!
2011 – Remember My Name, Fame! – Nicole Dennis Shares Her Experience At Make Believe!
A jam packed year as Make Believe began to expand across South London hosting our next lot of auditions for the Annie tour at the Lewisham Shopping Centre. And if that wasn’t enough, We doubled our production capacity producing Fame the Musical at the iconic Bloomsbury Theatre! Talent like we have never seen entering our doors and audiences visiting our shows in the thousands, Make Believe continued its journey exploring the theatrical universe creating moments that would never be forgotten.
2012 – A Circle Of Life!
A child who sings is a happy child. Make Believe continued to create an impact across a variety of communities offering thousands the chance to be a part of the journey! Producing our latest production in the heart of london enabled us to continue creating opportunities for the next generation to do what they love! Enjoy clip nine of fifteen in our historical journey through time.
2013 – Quality Street Starred Quality Students
A return to the Stratford Circus Theatre with thousands performing in this pick & mix musical, we mark our tenth video with a showcase of variety. A variety show, a variety of talent and a variety of incredible students who make our job the best in the world!
2014 – OMG! Make Believe Reaches A Decade!
A year to remember and a year to never forget! 2000 students performed at the Novello Theatre in the heart of London’s West End as we celebrated a milestone in the company’s history!
2015 – What Happens On Tour Stays On Tour!
What a year, what a journey, what a tour! Make Believe travelled to a multitude of theatres providing thousands of our students a platform to perform. MB Talent (our agency division) was becoming a force within the industry and this was the year we landed a commercial with one of the biggest brands in the world; Coca-Cola!
2016 – The Wonderful Make Believe Aus!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This was the year Make Believe launched on the other side of the world opening its doors in Sydney! Erin Holmes shares her incredible journey as a client of MB Talent, Jasmin Elcock hits gold and all our students starred in ‘One Dream’
2017 – Make Believe Hollywood!
Our signature Make Believe gold star, designed by Saatchi & Saatchi reads “is your child waiting to be discovered?” As you turn the star on its front, there are two children’s hands, emulating the Hollywood walk of fame. The theory behind this was if you attend Make Believe, you will eventually become a Hollywood Star! This was the year that it came true with our client ‘Kit’ landing his role in Ridley Scott’s blockbuster “All the Money in the World”. Make Believe went on to launch our talent platform One Dream that has now been produced in two countries and a variety of students starred in commercials with brands such as ALDI, IKEA, Kwikfit and Samsung. Poppy Connell was only going in one direction as she landed a music video with Harry Styles. This was certainly a busy year and one where we can all be proud!
2018 – Just Do It!
MB Talent clients land lead role in Nikes big commercial of that year whilst we got a visit from Aladdin himself! Our kids got up to no good causing mischief in the Big Brother house and our student intake reached a staggering 3000.
2019 – We Are A Family!
With one mind, one dream and one focus, anything is possible! Emma has proven that with passion and determination the opportunities for creating a positive impact are endless. Thank you for the work that you’ve done and thank you for the work that you continue to do! Here’s to many more years of doing what we love across all communities whilst supporting families and young people through the arts!
Our 15th Anniversary
Check out some of the behind the scenes footage of our students performing at one of the greatest venues in the world, the O2!
2021 – Make Believe Presents: Destination! July 2021
IT’S JUST TAKEN US A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO REACH OUR ‘DESTINATION’ BUT TOGETHER WE WILL GET THERE! Your flight has been rescheduled and we cannot wait to have you on board with MB Airways. We have stocked up on sanitiser and cleaned all the seats and we are getting ready for take-off! See the links below that will answer all of your questions prior to you boarding the plane. We cannot wait to see you back at Make Believe very soon, where the journey will continue!