Students of dance and performance at the University of Worcester are working alongside an internationally renowned choreographer as they prepare to perform at the city’s Bridges of Light festival.
L-R- Ella Rose Garratt, Kristianne Viktoria Aune, Neerali Dodhia, Kylah Thomas
Members of Undercurrents Dance Company, the University’s in-house contemporary dance company, have been working with Tamzin Fitzgerald, Artistic Director of 2Faced Dance Company to create a new performance piece for the event.
The work will be performed at St Helen’s Church on Fish Street, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October as part of the festival programme, with performances taking place between 6pm and 9pm each evening.
Bridges of Light is presented by Severn Arts and transforms Worcester city centre with high-quality light installations, interactive artworks and immersive experiences.
“They’re going to produce an original piece to be performed alongside an original artwork from Lou Chapelle which will be in the Bridges of Light Festival,” said Dr Paul Golz, Course Leader for Dance and Performance at the University of Worcester.
Paul continued: “We’re going to be working with the dancers from 2Faced Dance, so this is a real opportunity for our students to get first hand experience of working at this level on a real-world project.”
“Experiences like this are invaluable because they really help students develop their professional practice, make those industry connections and apply what they’ve learned on their course in an exciting real-world setting,” he added.
The event takes place just months after Worcester was named the UK’s most creative city, with judges praising a well-rounded balance between creative opportunity, spaces, and affordability.
The University of Worcester students preparing for the performance, all in their third year of study, spoke of their excitement ahead of the event.
Kristianne Viktoria Aune said: “I’m very excited for this opportunity. Getting to work with a different choreographer, getting to work with these students as well as other dancers, it’s just a great experience for our future careers.”
Neerali Dodhia agreed. “It’s really exciting!” she said. “Working with a professional dancer and choreographer is something that can go onto our CVs and it’s a lovely experience to be a part of.”
Students on the Dance and Performance course learn technique, choreography, performance skills and professional practice with lecturing staff keeping a focus on employability and opportunities for students.
Kylah Thomas said: “We have performed at lots of schools and different venues, like the Mac in Birmingham, and doing this will be a really exciting opportunity for us.” Ella Rose Garratt added: “I’ve never been part of anything like this before, and working in an environment as inclusive as this is just great, we’re all really looking forward to it.
"Creativity, collaboration and communities are at the very heart of this event," said Katy Rooke, Bridges of Light Creative Producer.
Learn more about Bridges of Light on the Severn Arts website.
Read more about Dance and Performance at the University of Worcester.