About Us

Superarts has been our way of life for decades,

a way of relating to young people and their families, 

and a platform for community and fellowship. 

 


We're delighted that Renie received a BEM in the New Year Honours List 2018. 

 

BEM, British Empire Medal, was given to Irene for her services to dance and to the community in Southwark.  We were thrilled! 

 

In August 2019, Irene was honoured to be chosen as a subject for The BBC launching their Instagram. Please see link below. We're delighted to say that Irene's clip received more likes, views and shares than any other over the August Bank Holiday. Click on this link for the video: https://www.instagram.com/tv/B1gm5s_g30N/?igshid=15dcgi7o07nc5

 

Irene earlier received The Southwark Arts Champion Award in 2015

Irene Hayes BEM is the cover story in The Elephant Magazine, out January 2018. https://issuu.com/southwarkcouncil/docs/elephant_winter_2018_issue_12_sf



Historic Timeline, Elephant Park

A new timeline revealing the history of Elephant & Castle has been unveiled at Elephant Park.

Irene is honoured to be a part of this. 

 The timeline can be viewed at the entrance of Elephant Park.


                 ARTS CHAMPION 2015

In June 2015 Irene Hayes BEM, founder of Superarts Academy, was delighted to wIn the ARTS CHAMPION AWARD from SAFTA, (Southwark Arts Forum)............. A WELL DESERVED AWARD 

The Best kept secret in Southwark ...

Rene
Rene

Superarts Academy of Performing Arts was founded by Irene Hayes BEM in 1962. With her late husband Michael always at her side, organising the financial aspects of the business and helping her manage the school, Irene has worked tirelessly and with great passion, for the children of the local community. She has seen thousands of young children enter through the doors to take their first dance class, some tentatively, whilst others run in eager to start. Returning as adults, either to say hello or bring their own children to join the school, the students of the past speak with great fondness of their memories of Superarts. Each person further confirming the contribution Irene has made to their lives. In July 2013 many of our ex-students participated in the bi-annual Superarts production to celebrate Irene’s 50 years plus, as dance teacher, mentor and inspiration.

 

What began as a hobby has thrived for over 50 years. The academy is still run with a clear intention of care and of instilling the love of dance and the performing arts into all the children who walk through the doors. The teachers at Superaarts Academy give them all an experience they will never forget. 

Mike, Susan, and Rene Hayes
Mike, Susan, and Rene Hayes

Superarts began as a family run Performance Arts school. Irene and Michael worked tirelessly to build and maintain the reputation of Superarts as a centre of excellence for young people in Central London, and now the Managing Director is their daughter Susan Hayes, with plenty of input still from Irene. Susan has a long and solid platform of decades of experience in the industry; agency work, auditions, performance, choreography, international show productions, dance, and working with, teaching, preparing and managing young people.  

Susan
Susan

Susan began her dance training at the age of 5 with her mother Irene Hayes,  went to the Dance Centre, Pineapple, The Place studying with Gregg Mayer, Matt Mattox, Roger Tully and many more. Finishing her full time training at the Andrew Hardy College, Susan began her professional career as a dancer working with Dougie Squires, Nigel Lythgoe, Kenny Warwick, Alan Harding, Norman Maen, Paddy Stone and others. For over 40 years has danced, choreographed and directed/produced fashion and commercial shows all over the world, performed in four Royal Command performances, was in the original cast of 'EVITA' and appeared in numerous TV shows with the stars of the day. Her choreographic work took her all over the world with the biggest brands from Burberrys in Tokyo, Converse in America, Levis in Europe and HSBC in Hong Kong. She has also worked extensively with young people, taught in UK vocational colleges and teaches and manages Superarts Academy and Agency. In terms of caring for her young students, Susan is also a qualified psychotherapist, having practised for 20 years in London. She has many years of experience practising and teaching body work, bringing together her ongoing studies in dance of various styles, ballet floor barre, authentic movement, & TaiChi and Qi Gong. Susan also devises programs for schools promoting physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. 

 

Part of our family are Karen Willis, who began her training with Irene at the tender age of 5 years old and who has taught at Superarts, for over 25 years. Likewise James Owen studied with Irene & Susan from the age of 6 yrs and has now been teaching for Superarts for 15 years. Both Karen & James have much experience in performance work as well as educational skills. Their contribution and support of Superarts is invaluable.

 

Guest Teacher: Nathan Goodman

We are delighted that Nathan Goodman, an ex-student of Superarts Academy and a professional dancer who has worked with Hofesh Schecter, Wayne McGregor, amongst many other leading choreographers, is sometimes available to return to Superarts and teach our more senior students and in the Acro/Gym. All the students have a great time and always look forward to Nathan returning.

 

A Brief History

For the first few years of her teaching career, Irene taught at nearly every hall in Southwark, including Manor Place Baths, which was where Irene attended her own first dance class at the tender age of three. She has been dancing a long time!

 

As a child alongside her father, Irene entertained the public by dancing in the tube shelters during the Second World War, and by joining Carlos’ Discoveries, a group of young performers . As she grew older she worked alongside stars of the day such as Bud Flanagan, Tommy Trinder, and Jimmy Durante with The Crazy Gang. Following her career as a dancer, Irene wanted to share her love of dance with the children in Southwark. After taking her daughter, Susan, aged five to a local dance school, Irene decided to open her own part-time school and thus began her teaching career.

 

Beginning with seven students soon growing in numbers, Irene’s constant perseverance and commitment was evident in her initial regime of teaching 49 weeks of the year. She would not only teach, but also design and make all the costumes & props for the annual productions, which initially took place at The Manor Place Baths, then moving onto The Greenwood Theatre, London Bridge.  Irene's unlimited energy went into the school and eventually she and the children found a base, where they stayed for over 50 years. Due to Covid-19 the school is now in new venues and happy to be starting a new phase.  

 

Karen
Karen

Irene has watched the school develop into a community base of great importance to not only those who attend but also by making a difference to the local community with the help of the following people:

 

Her late husband Michael Hayes, who managed the administration and financial aspects of the business, plus being Irene’s constant support; her daughter Susan Hayes, a professional dancer, (appearing in the original production of ‘EVITA’ and four Royal Command Performances), turned choreographer and body worker; Karen Willis who joined the school aged three, and has now been teaching for Irene for over 25 years; James Owen, who joined Superarts aged four who has now being teaching at the school for over 15 years; plus various parents/carers, mainly Sandra and Janet plus others, who have given their time and total support to all the children. 

 
James
James

Examinations are taken annually with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing, helping to assess each student’s development, and the young people love the big theatrical productions held bi-annually to promote their creative talent and development.

 

After The Manor Place Baths, and needing a bigger venue, Irene had to move the annual school production to The Broadway Theatre, Catford. As the school grew and the shows became more and more accomplished, Irene took the decision to produce the shows bi-annually, and for many years they have taken place at The Greenwood Theatre, near London Bridge. Originally built for the local community, this is the only venue local to the school that has adequate stage space and can hold over 120 children backstage. Performing in a professional theatre gives the children a rewarding and affirming experience they never forget.