SPOTLIGHT%20ON%20PERFORMERS%20DECEMBER%202016

Recommendations

Info

In October we welcomed students from West Herts College in Hertfordshire to join us for a Taster day. Sue Wright, Dance Course Leader at the college was accompanied by 7 students studying the Extended Diploma in BTEC Dance. They were thrilled to be invited and loved touring the facilities, witnessing ballet and jazz classes in action featuring various Year groups and they even took a full jazz class with our resident Head of Dance, Tony Parrie. He certainly put them through their paces, pushing them to the limit and giving them a real insight into the training at Performers College. They spent lunch time talking to some of our students who answered lots of questions about our audition process, living away from home, the training at Performers and events and shows organised during the course. Particular thanks to Lucy O’Connor in Year 1 who was assigned to be their guide throughout the visit and was the perfect Performers College host. Sue Wright said “this was the ideal opportunity to witness first hand what life would really be like for them at a performing arts college, something which you cannot grasp from websites or recommendations alone. Our students loved every minute and we thank you for such a fabulous and informative day”. Not only do we enjoy having college students visit us for Taster Days but individuals too. Jacob Curtis Smith and Tilly Boys are past participants of our Easter Events and Summer School and both are considering a career in Musical Theatre. They attend Hasland Dance Studios in Herne Bay, Kent a Dance School we are in regular contact with and we were happy to offer them the chance to join us for a day. They were given a timetable just like our current students and had the chance to chat to everybody to find out as much as they can about Performers College and the way we train. This what they had to say: 'I absolutely love performers! The environment is safe and family-like and I feel very comfortable when I visit. On the Taster Day the students were so nice and helpful, along with the amazing teachers, I got inspired and encouraged to continue to follow my dream of being a dancer/performer. I couldn't pick a favourite dance lesson, I loved it all. I can't think of anywhere better to dance, I would highly recommend Performers.' - Jacob Curtis-Smith, 15 'I was lucky enough to be invited by Tracey Lee to have the opportunity to attend a Taster Day at Performers College. When I arrived everybody was so chatty and welcoming giving me as much help and guidance as possible whenever I needed it . I was able to join in with Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Pilates. The Jazz class with Jo Darnell was awesome , such a high standard of teaching and encouragement which has made me feel passionate to work even harder. The Ballet class with Sophia Hurdley was beautiful, I adore her way of teaching and again this was a great chance to improve my technique tremendously. Throughout the whole day everyone made me feel part of their college family and I cannot wait to audition and hopefully be successful to be able to join Performers College next year. Thank you all for such a wonderful day.' Tilly Boys, 15
An annual event on the Performers College calendar is the Year 3 Cabaret evening, which is attended by staff and fellow students. The studio is arranged with tables & chairs, drinks and snacks to replicate a cosy club atmosphere. Both Dance and Musical Theatre students are literally under the ‘spotlight’ with songs of their choice, ranging from classics and top 40 hits to musicals. This year over 60% of Year 3 students took part. Helayna Liviero bought the house down with her funny version of I’m not pregnant, just fat’ and Liam McHugh sang his version of Me and Mrs Jones, tweaking the lyrics to create a hilarious version which gave him a standing ovation! Jordan Jules Stock did a fabulous rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy performed by Tess Attrill, Grace Evans and Rhian Gill was really fun! This is a great opportunity for our Dance Theatre students who do not usually sing on stage to stand up in front of a live audience. Its wonderful to hear colleagues and students comment on how far they have come since Year 1. It was a wonderful evening, with their talent shining through. Well done to students Tom Mann for the stage management, Tom Brook for lighting & sound and Tutor Vanessa Leagh Hicks for putting everything together. Last but not least Tutor Mikey Robinson for doing an amazing job playing live piano for every song! In October Year 3 students Liam McHugh and Mollie Thorpe visited a dance school in Cologne, Germany to assist with delivering a workshop called ‘Step Ahead’. Annie Rogers, principal of the dance school in Cologne is in regular contact with us and her students love to come over for our Easter Events and Summer School. Mollie and Liam danced a jazz duet choreographed by Keeley East and Mollie a solo jazz number choreographed by Tony Parrie. Liam also sang a solo of ‘Its hard to speak my heart’ from Parade and ‘Run away with me’. They put their skills to the test helping the teachers to create a piece for the students to learn and they really enjoyed the experience. Well done! The following Year 3 students had fun helping in the community recently at the switching on of the Christmas lights at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon. Megan Barnes, Beth Mitchell, Chloe Driscoll, Chelsie Dyer, Abigail Fisher, Bonnie Gunter, Tessa Atrill, Charlotte Neale, Rianna Jean Abbey, Jessica Baxter & Kyeirah D’Marni. The Performers College annual Choreographics, Singing and Acting Finals will take place on Sunday 29th January 2017 at the Thameside Theatre in Grays, Essex. Students have begun to prepare their audition pieces ready for the heats when we return in January. Entrants are from all year groups and must choose the pieces themselves, write their own material or create dance routines recruiting fellow students through an audition process, much like in the real world. Good luck everyone!
Page 1 and 2: Issue 4 Performers College is delig
Page 3 and 4: We are delighted and extremely hono
Page 5 and 6: For their In-House Show, DT3 presen
Page 7: On Sunday 13th November 2016 Perfor
Page 11 and 12: In August 2016, the ISTD (The Imper
Page 13 and 14: Summer School 2016 Performers Colle
Page 15 and 16: This term we have had some excellen
Page 17 and 18: Year 2 student Louis Gaunt has had
Page 19 and 20: Current Year 3 students Caitlin Har
Page 21 and 22: Down in Yeovil, Somerset Yr 3 stude
Page 23: Former Performers College graduate

SPOTLIGHT%20ON%20PERFORMERS%20DECEMBER%202016

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?