Sold out performances for Collyer's students

More than 50 students from the highly respected Collyer’s Dance Department (Twitter - @collyersdance) took part in a run of performances featuring A Level Dance students, the student-run Dance Society, and Collyer’s ‘flagship’ New Ground Dance Company.

This year’s annual programme of dance at Collyer’s is entitled “Ten Thousand Hours”.

Head of Pirie House and subject leader for dance Andrea Martin explained: “The title was a reference to research conducted in the 1990’s which identified that experts from a range of different fields, have on average invested 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to reach an elite level of expertise.”

The run of four performances (three evenings and a matinee) included short works produced in preparation for the AS/A2 practical exams and also repertory from the college dance company New Ground and the student run Dance Society.

Andrea Martin said: “The cast included dancers who are just at the start of their training journey and others who have been taking classes from a young age.

“In preparation for the performances the students dedicated themselves to numerous hours of rehearsal and as a result they made considerable steps toward expertise.

“I applaud their commitment and hard work.”

Ex-Collyer’s student and recent graduate of the outstanding Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Faye Lord, returned as guest choreographer of ‘Wacky Races’, an immensely entertaining piece for the college dance company featuring a full length slow motion race full of cheating and devious obstruction.

Collyer’s assistant principal Melanie Russell said: “Congratulations to Andrea, the technical and creative teams and these incredible students for putting on such a fantastic run of shows.

“It is no wonder that A-level Dance at Collyer’s achieved the best results in the whole country last year!”

The exciting programme of choreography included a mix of contemporary dance, physical theatre, lyrical jazz and commercial styles.

The students explored a range of themes and ideas from the tragic to the comic, resulting in an entertaining and thought-provoking series of performances.

Professional photographer Andrew Matthews of AJM Photos (www.ajmphotos.co.uk) kindly took time out to cover the event and took some fabulous images of Collyer’s talented students.

Collyer’s vice principal Steve Nicholls said: “We have an outstanding Dance Department and I’m delighted that our new Duckering Hall performance venue has given them a platform to show what they are capable of.

“Excellent work.”

The cast were supported by a hard-working production team, led by student Tabby Hall and performing arts technician Keith Burton.

AS Dance student Jess Wickens said: “Working so hard together, to create a show of which we are all so proud and enjoyed performing, is the most amazing feeling ever.”

Collyer’s is a co-educational sixth form college in Horsham.

For more information, visit the website at www.collyers.ac.uk.

Alternatively, call reception on 01403 210822.

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