ALLOA star of the stage Sarah Kerr has been cast in a leading role in the Scottish stage debut of Bring It On: The Musical at Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre next week.

In rehearsals the 19-year-old has worked under American actress Taylor Louderman, who played head cheerleader Campbell in the Broadway production of the musical and was recruited by Edinburgh-based Beyond Broadway Productions as a creative consultant.

The show is based on the 2000 American comedy centred on cheerleaders and starring Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku. 

Sarah will play one of the leading female characters, Bridget, after impressing at auditions that attracted applications from more than 350 aspiring actors, singers, and dancers from across Scotland.

The teenager, who honed her skills at Alloa’s Forefront Stage School, starting at the age of six, said: "Bridget is a funny character who is also quite shy and insecure. She’s so different from me and from all the characters I’ve played in the past."

Sarah, who currently studies Sport and Recreation Management at the University of Edinburgh, was impressed by the ability of Beyond Broadway Productions directors Drew Gowland and Murray Grant to attract a star creative consultant.

She said: "Bring it On is a great show and this production is really professional. Just now, musical theatre is a hobby for me but once I’ve completed my university degree I’ll think about it.

"I love working in this environment and alongside stars from Broadway like Taylor Louderman."

At open auditions earlier this year, Sarah impressed a panel that included West End casting director Benjamin Newsome and Zoe Tyler, the popular Loose Women star formerly a judge on TV talent shows Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? 

After a callback and another two rounds of auditions, Sarah was successful in landing a principal role.

Drew Gowland, managing director of Beyond Broadway Productions, said: "Sarah is one of the shining lights among our cast of 140 brilliant young performers.

"There’s great music, breathtaking dancing and awesome cheerleading routines throughout the show. Coming to see Bring It On: The Musical is a great way to whet your appetite for festival season in Edinburgh."

The musical runs on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 and tickets are available from edtheatres.com or by calling 0131 529 6000.