Dance students from Plympton Academy have been learning about the professional dance industry by taking part in a range of workshops.
The school organised three opportunities for the students to learn from and be inspired by professional dancers and choreographers.
One of the workshops was at the Plymouth Theatre Royal. Students met and danced with professional dancer Connor from the Rambert Dance Company.
Students danced on the Lyric stage learning some of the repertoire choreographed by Marion Motin, whose hip hop-influenced style is probably best known through her work for Christine and the Queens, and her VMA-nominated music video for Dua Lipa.
At another workshop held at the school’s dance studio, 30 boys from Year 7, 8 and 9, took part in a boys dance workshop with James Wilton Dance Company. This was the first time the boys had worked with professional dancers.
James Wilton Dance Company is known for its dynamic and physically demanding movement. Two company dancers, Ollie and Jacob, who are on tour with the company came to the Academy to work with students, teaching them improvisation techniques, repertoire and creative methods.
Stephanie Jenner, Lead Practitioner of Dance at Plympton Academy said:
“Giving boys the platform to dance is so important as it allows them to grow and be encouraged to pursue it further. Changing the stigma of boys dancing is crucial so they can approach dance with a sense of security. Working with Ollie and Jacob inspired the boys so much, our students gained a lot from this experience and I look forward to seeing all the new movements taught in their up and coming pieces.”
Forty students also had the opportunity to watch Matthew Bourne’s Red Shoes at the Theatre Royal. For some this was their first experience of watching a professional dance piece. Matthew Bourne is renowned for showcasing classics with a darker twist which really displays to students how to be creative and reinvent the wheel.
“The students loved the production and came away mind blown by the dancer’s skills and talent as well as the staging, lighting and costumes,”
said Stephanie Jenner.
Year 7 student Grace said:
“I liked how they performed the story, it was the first dance show I have seen and I loved watching it. Matthew Bourne has a really good contrast of dance moves.”
