Wellington’s Academic Dancers Showcase Their Skills!

Published by Wellington College on Monday 20th of March 2023

Grace. Precision. Athleticism. Imagination. Just some of the attributes needed by successful dancers, attributes that were on abundant display in this year’s Curriculum Dance Show. Wednesday 8th March saw nearly 90 Wellington dancers take to the GWA stage for an incredible evening of clever, thought-provoking, and moving dance classwork and coursework.

The performances ranged from large group pieces for the 3rd Form Elective groups, who explored their own interpretations of significant and poignant professional works such as Revelations by Alvin Ailey, Mia Michaels’ Gravity and Boy Blue Dance’s exuberant Emancipation of Expressionism, to smaller groups and solos.
Academic Dance requires both choreographic and performance skills and the GCSE pupils displayed their imaginative and creative flair in disciplined pieces inspired by Ghetto benches, introduced into Polish universities in 1935 as an official form of segregation, as well as beautifully technical solos exploring frozen water: in particular Phoebe H and Luca J’s dances were sensitively imagined and breath-takingly rendered.

The 6th Form A-level and IB dancers were also on top form, displaying outstanding technical ability and stage presence: a brilliant and intense solo by Alex M in the style of the renowned Hofesh Shechter and an exploration of Annabelle Lopez’s abstract ballet Mammatus, performed by Scarlett T and Scarlett B, were two stand-out moments.
Wellington’s Academic Dance Dept is thriving, and it was exciting to witness the pupils working together so harmoniously and displaying such a sense of togetherness: the camaraderie between the year groups was there for all to see. This show not only made clear the progress all our dancers are making, but also allowed them to display their wonderful creative, technical, and professional skill. Above all, it confirmed that the future of Wellington dance is in the safest of hands.