Spotlight on performers autumn term 2017

Issue 7

Boys Day in October was brilliant with over 40 boys from all over the country attending our bi-annual event. This free day of dance involved full on training with some amazing tutors and talented students. West End star Kieran Jae, renowned Tapper Dougie Mills, Jazz Tutor Tony Parrie together with Myles Newland teaching Commercial Jazz Shout out to current Performers College students Redman Rance, Harrison Dowzall and Andres Quero-Marin for their assistance on the day!

Performers College Director, Brian Rogers was delighted to be involved in this years Pride of Britain Awards held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London choreographing the ‘Flash Mob’ finale with over 50 of our 1st Year students. It was an amazing and inspirational evening for all involved.

Performers College, Southend Road, Corringham, Essex, SS17 8JT - 01375 672053 - www.performerscollege.co.uk

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After holding 9 successful regional conventions around England & Scotland, Can You Dance? returned to Liverpool on Sunday 22 October with their Grand Final. We have had an amazing time participating in the Can You Dance? conventions over the past year and visitors are always stunned by our performance of the fabulous Musical Theatre piece ‘Hey Pachuco’ choreographed by Performers College Resident Choreographer and Tutor Emma Rogers, which brings the house down every time.

With a new cast for this performance and bringing their own twist to this fast paced piece it just reiterates what can be achieved by training at Performers College.

Checkout our 3rd Year students Louis Gaunt and Gracie Stiling who are appearing in the promotional material for Can You Dance? 2018.

The event is also a platform for global dance wear brands to find their next ambassadors and we are delighted for Performers College 1st Year student Paris McDonald who has been chosen as the brand ambassador for Dance Direct, which is a huge achievement.

She will start working with them in January 2018 with a photo shoot in Paris!! Congratulations!

Dance Proms, held annually at the Royal Albert Hall is a global celebration of Dance where Dance Schools and Colleges from the UK and worldwide are formally invited to perform original pieces created by their committed teachers/ choreographers. We were delighted to perform our piece ‘Hey Pachuco’ for the Finale on 5th November. Choreographed by Emma Rogers, Tutor and Resident Choreographer at Performers College, this high energy piece involved Musical Theatre Jazz, stunning lifts and a wonderful tap break! Being part of Dance Proms was extremely exciting and it gave the cast of ‘Hey Pachuco’ the opportunity to perform in such an iconic performance space where they literally bought the house down!

The Year 3 In-House Shows are both well anticipated events and after months of planning and rehearsals students perform for staff, fellow students, family and friends. Having choreographed their own pieces and chosen key roles the shows were all their own work and absolutely brilliant.

First to go were DT3 who presented ‘How Walt Made Disney’, directed by Jake Pattern with Andria Agapiou and Abigail Johnson as his assistants. The show, a look at Walt Disney as a person and how his actions, circumstances and personal tragedy throughout his life were reflected in his Disney characters which was a feast of various dance genres bringing their talent to the fore. So much thought had gone into the detailing and even the corridor leading to the studio was decorated Disney style.

Congratulations!

MT3 presented ’Jour et Nuit’, a journey into the light and dark of Paris during the Nazi occupation of World War 2.

Based on the music of Cole Porter the show took us back to desperate times when the City of Light went into darkness with a 9pm curfew, rationing, prostitution and Jews being forced to wear the yellow Star of David badge. The staging was excellent, particularly the corridor approaching the studio which really added to the ambience they wanted to achieve. Directed

by Louis Gaunt and Olivia Bailey together with Musical Directors Jessica Glover and Rebekah Bryant it was a very thought provoking but entertaining show. Well done guys! Both groups also did a great job raising £502.10 for the Christie Charity, a Brain Tumour Cancer Charity very close to their hearts, selling drinks & snacks for the show.

Disney Directions Street in Paris

Purrrrrrfect Jellicle Cats DT2 presented Cats as their in house production, produced by Performers College Tutor Vanessa Leigh Hicks and assisted by Michelle Hodgson-Gregory it was a fantastic interpretation. The make up was exceptional and with their feline characteristics and dance moves they really brought the cats to life.

MT2 took us to New York and the infamous Chorus Line which gives an insight into a day in the life of 17 ensemble performers during an audition. Produced by Performers College Tutor Kieran Jae with MT2 students Yasmine Gazzal as Assistant Director and Tabby Bond as Dance Captain it was a fabulous show from such a talented group.

Chorus Line Rehearsals

Welcome to our new 1st Year students 2017

Students celebrating World Ballet Day on 5th October with Performers College Ballet Tutor Sophia Hurdley.

At the beginning of October Tutors Keeley East, Kieran Jae and Emma Rogers travelled to Norwich to hold a Day of Dance at Legacy Dance Company.

Legacy is an all male dance company with boys aged 10 to 21 attending from all over East Anglia. Members are by audition only and the talent was just amazing!

Year 3 student Isabelle Hetherington, one of our Performers College dancers at The Royal Albert Hall for the Dance Proms recently joined BBC Essex for a radio interview promoting the event.

A Summer Adventure – Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Summer intensive ran for three days in July 2017. Just 26 participants were selected by application for this opportunity and five students from Performers College were accepted onto the course. They were honored to have the opportunity to work with members of Matthew Bourne’s artistic management team and longstanding company dancers, gaining a real hands-on insight into the company work, style, performance and qualities required. Every day began with ballet or contemporary training and moved onto learning specific solo repertoire from the various award winning productions with leading company dancers. These included Swan Lake, Edward Scissorhands, Sleeping Beauty and The Carman. Students were given one to one feedback and development along the way and the week culminated in a sharing of the solo’s and a Q&A with Sir Matthew Bourne, OBE (Artistic Director), Etta Murfitt (Associate Artistic Director) and Neil Westmoreland (Resident Director). It was a wonderful three days full of hard work and inspiration. Congratulations to Performers students Callum Bowman, Joshua Jung, Emily Hope and Catrin Thomas who were invited to take part.

Congratulations to Performers College students Catrin Thomas, Callum Bowman and Emilie Hope who were invited to visit Holland this summer and spent two days at Codarts (The Rotterdam Dance Academy) where they joined in classes in ballet and improvisation. They were so fortunate to watch rehearsals of a piece choreographed by Jiri Kylian too.

They enjoyed a day with Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, joining ballet class with the company and then watching various rehearsals in the afternoon. The following day was spent with Netherlands Dance Theatre and watching rehearsals with the young company NDT2. Wow what an experience!

During October Half Term four students and Performers College Head of Dance Tony Parrie travelled to Germany to help deliver a Performance Course at the Centre of Dance Arts in Cologne (CODA).

Second Year students Lindsay Woodman, Sara Kasa, Jessica Wright and Suraya Culshaw not only assisted with the course but were able to demonstrate their own skills with pieces choreographed specifically for this event by Tutors at Performers: a group jazz piece choreographed by Keeley East, singing duet from Jessica and Lindsay arranged by Sarah Elliot and Mikey Robinson, Sara and Suraya danced a lyrical jazz piece choreographed by Tony Parrie who also choreographed a group piece for them too. With over 60 children attending the event it was a busy week but a fabulous experience! Well done girls!

On 7th November Tutor Kieran Jae took all the Year 1 students to Colchester Zoo for the day. They are currently working on an individual animal study as part of their Acting Development and the Zoo was the ideal place for inspiration. With studies ranging from meerkats, giraffes, penguins, chimps and orangutans to butterflies and even a parrot Kieran is delighted with their work so far.

Look out for Kieran Jae in an episode of the BBC Drama Casualty on 13th January 2018. He will be playing a school teacher who’s fiancé has a seizure and goes into toxic shock.

On 19th November Principal Tracey Lee and Pre-Vocational Course Co-Ordinator Keeley East together with our cast of Hey Pachuco headed to Liverpool for the CDET Careers Conference. This annual one day event is for anybody looking for a career as a dancer, actor or musical theatre performer and is aimed at prospective students and their parents seeking high quality, relevant and up to date guidance about education, training, funding and career opportunities. Hey Pachuco went down a storm and Tracey and Keeley had a very successful day promoting Performers College and our new Degree course which we begin next September 2018.

Congratulations to our Contemporary Tutor at Performers College who has been awarded a Distinction for his Masters Degree in Contemporary Dance.

Performers College Artistic Director Chris Baldock has had a very busy few months working on various projects.

At the end of the Summer he Choreographed the Music of the Night Gala in Switzerland, a musical tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber which was composed by another member of the Performers Team, Mikey Robinson, Head of Singing. Sarah Elliott, singing Tutor joined them to sing in the show and graduates Jordan Rose and Hannah Sharp were dancing as well as current students Isabella Baldock and Louis Gaunt. Chris just recently stage directed the ‘Royal Variety Performance’ at the London Palladium, choreographed and directed a ‘Royal Christmas Gala’ starring Sarah Brightman which will be touring all over Europe during the festive season. He has also choreographed ‘Peter Pan Christmas in Neverland’ the worlds biggest panto with Bradley Walsh and Martin Kemp and 100 performers which will play at both Wembley and Birmingham Arenas this month. Phew!

Hillary is an actor, singer, dancer, who was last seen performing in Memphis, The Musical in the West End. She has also performed at both the Olivier and Tony awards and was also in the original cast of Memphis the Musical on Broadway.

2nd October 2017 Helen Anker is an actress and singer who trained at the Royal Ballet School and Bird College. She is best known for playing Zelda Fitzgerald in the West End musical Beautiful and Damned, a role she first played at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford before transferring to London's West End.

9th October Swing & Dance Captain

16th October

25th September

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures

Tashan Muir is the choreographer and director of Unity Dance UK founded in 2005. As a leader of the crew credits include IDO World Champion 2008 and 2012 (choreographer 2014), Breakin’ Convention choreographer/performer 20072013 (7 years in a row), Got To Dance Semi Finalst 2010 (choreographer), Finalist 2012 and 2014 (choreographer) and Britain’s Got Talent Semi finalist 2012 (choreographer).

Assistant Dance Captain Ensemble

Other Theatre credits: 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sunset Boulevard, Singing in the Rain, White Christmas, Mary Poppins, Kiss Me Kate, Pyjama Game, Cats, Grease.

Albey Brooks currently Prince Abdullah and ensemble in the West End version of Aladdin joined us on 13th November. With a 50s High School theme he taught ‘Grease’ audition routines, the hand jive and some partner work.

With students making an effort in relevant attire it was a brilliant workshop.

Rhian has A-list dance credentials, having danced with artists including Rihanna, Drake, Ellie Goulding, Union J, Kiesza & Ella Eyre.

Congratulations to Performers College Tap Tutor Duggie Mills who completed a Triathlon on Saturday 23rd September in 2hrs 46 minutes and raised an incredible £1200 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Performers College Summer School event was another roaring success this year and it just gets more popular year on year!

At the end of July our Tutors Emma Rogers, Keeley East, Duggie Mills and Kieran Jae did an amazing job teaching over 70 students from the ages of 12 –18 years.

Guest tutors popped in to assist them which just added to the excitement! With Barney Hudson (Bugsy Malone, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in Sheffield and now starring in Hamilton in the West End), Abby Taylor (X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and worked with Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams & Take That) teaching Commercial Jazz and Oliver Metzler (worked with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Rhianna, Jay Z, Pixie Lott, One Direction as well as Dance Captain in Wicked) taught Contemporary Jazz the college was buzzing!

Not only did they have a busy schedule during the day but lots of fun times during the evenings with a meet and greet night, bouncy castle party night, trip to Ten Pin Bowling and also a visit to London to see Aladdin in the West End. On the last afternoon relatives were invited to see the students perform all they have learnt with a mini showcase in the studio. The standard of singing and dancing was fantastic and so inspiring to see what they had learnt in just 5 days. Congratulations to Diante Lodge, Mia Taylor and Harley Stephen who were awarded a scholarship to our Summer School 2018 and we look forward to catching up with them again next year. Many thanks to the Performers College students who gave up a week of their summer holidays to help chaperone the trips and assist where needed, you were fab! Dates for our next Summer School are 23rd - 27th July 2018 and details can be found on our website under the Events Tab. Guest Tutors to be announced nearer the time.

Photos courtesy of Fiona Whyte Photography

Summer School Class of 2017

It seems a lifetime ago now, but the end of year show 2017 ‘Living on the Edge’ was actually only five months ago, such a shame we could not feature them in our Summer edition of Spotlight on Performers but due to the print deadline it was just impossible. However, the four shows played to a packed house every time at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon and the applause brought the house down! The talented students from all year groups were amazing. Guest choreographers included Kyle Seeley, Paul Roberts and Lyn Richardson.

The last performance on 8th July proved to be very emotional, from staff and parents to family and friends as the realisation dawned on our Year three students that this was the final time they would all dance together. Flowers and gifts just kept arriving and the front of house staff at the theatre did a fantastic job ensuring these were delivered back stage before the shows began. More news on our 2017 graduates and where they are working now can be found in this edition.

Photographs courtesy of Fiona Whyte Photography

Wishing our students currently starring in Panto all across the country a fabulous festive season!

Congratulations on securing such fantastic contracts, enjoy every second and we look forward to hearing all about it in January 2018!

Oh yes we do!

Congratulations

Louis Gaunt

Georgie Cox Ensemble

Olivia Bailey Redditch Palace Theatre

Courteney Hipwell

Molly Marshall Abigail Johnson Sophie Dennis

Dulcie Holdaway

Ellice Head

Emily Parfitt

Izzy Oliver

Congratulations to former Performers College Graduate Jack Mitchell who is starring in the UK Tour of Cabaret this Autumn.

Congratulations to former Graduate Sophie Linder-Lee who has been cast alongside Kelsey Grammer in a new production of ‘Big Fish The Musical’ at The Other Palace in London from November 2017. Based on Tim Burtons film of the same name it tells the story of father and son on a life affirming journey.

Graduate from Summer 2015, Holly Adams is currently enjoying the Christmas spirit in the renowned Thursford Christmas Spectacular in Norfolk.

Megan Bew, graduate from Summer 2017 is making her professional debut in Aladdin—Das Musical in Hamburg.

Performers College Graduate 2016, Georgie Fricker is starring as Penny in ‘A Night of Dirty Dancing’ tribute show.

Former Graduate Ross Meagrow is now starring in Flashdance UK Tour which opened in August.

Former Graduate Nikki Bentley is currently starring in the UK and International Tour of Wicked and has already been Standby for Elphaba.

Congratulations to Joseph Prouse and Gavin Alex, both former Graduates who have just finished an incredible run in Beautiful The Carol King Musical in the West End.

Former Graduate Joshua Lacey finished a successful run towards the end of this summer at the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre where he played Orsino in Twelfth Night.

Former Graduate Adrian Gas is Associate Choreographer for ‘The Band’ a new musical featuring the music of Take That. It opened in Manchester at the end of September and will be touring the UK until July 2018.

Congratulations to Performers College Tutor Marianne Benedict who is currently starring in Matilda the Musical in the West End as Mrs Wormwood, where in her own words, she is ‘Having a ball’!

Currently on various Princess Cruise Contracts across the globe are former graduates Imogen Joyce, Charley Howes, Ben Somerside, Layla Dawn and Phoebe Henderson.

A huge congratulations to former graduate Divine Cresswell who is starring in the new and completely SOLD OUT Concert Workshop Performances of Starlight Express at The Other Palace Original members of the creative team have collaborated again including legendary choreographer and our incredible patron Arlene Phillips this is going to be something very special!!

Summer 2017 Graduates Liam McHugh & Chloe Evans are smashing it in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s production of We Will Rock You!

Congratulations to Beth Mitchell a Performers College graduate this Summer who is having an amazing time working for Celebrity Cruises Asia, dancing her way through countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Bali!

Former Graduate Josie Scammell has been strutting her stuff on our TV screens in the River Island ‘Dress up and Dance’ Christmas Campaign.

Huge congratulations to former graduates Leanne Hainsby and Billy Sawyer who are both currently appearing in Steps UK arena tour.

Naomi Cox at the Crazy Palace Karlsruhe, Germany

Congratulations to former Graduate Ellis Harman who has been starring in the latest Jo Malone advertisement promoting the innovative Fragrance Paint Brush - a new way to wear and apply fragrance wherever you are.

Free Boys Day Saturday 23rd June 2018

Easter Event 4th - 6th April 2018

Summer School 23rd - 27th July 2018