AN ASPIRING starlet from east Acton has been given a shot at the big time thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Joanne Mason, 13, is to star in a brand new locally produced series – Club High School Musical: Make It Happen, screening next month on The Disney Channel.

Inspired by the smash-hit movie, the new series challenges Joanne and three other devoted High School Musical fans to create one of the UK’s biggest dance events ever, in just four days.

Guided by renowned celebrity choreographer Kevin Adams, Joanne and friends will be tasked with choreographing, performing, staging and styling a show-stopping finale performance at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

The youngsters will need to work together to create a routine to the hit song, We’re All in This Together, as well as find 500 kids to take part in the dance routine and make sure there is an audience present to actually watch them.

Joanne, who studies full-time at the Barbara Speake Stage School in Acton said: "I went for an audition and I was so thrilled when I got the part. My family were all really pleased for me.

"High School Musical is my favourite Disney Channel movie because it’s all about teamwork and helping each other. It was such a brilliant feeling dancing with everyone and knowing that all of our hard work had paid off. Afterwards some of the other kids asked me for my autograph. I felt like a superstar.”

Joanne added that she hopes to continue her dancing as she gets older and become an actress. The show begins at 6pm on Friday November 6 on The Disney Channel.