Schools get ready for STAGES 2012

Bristol schools show off their dance skills

More than 1,500 Bristol children will be showcasing their dance talents in one of the largest school dance shows in the country from Friday 3rd February.

STAGES 2012 will see children and teenagers aged between five and eighteen years old perform in front of their families and friends at the Colston Hall.  Forty-five Bristol schools have spent months preparing choreography, choosing music and making costumes for their three minute performances.

Young people have also been involved in all aspects of show production from comparing to stage management and programme design.

STAGES co-ordinator Shona Symons said:

“I am really looking forward to the excitement and passion the young people bring to Stages, the effort and hard work they give to it every year never ceases to impress me.  The quality of the dance is always extremely high; from the youngest to the oldest they all put their hearts into it and this shines through every performance.”

Schools are supported for the shows by Bristol City Council’s Arts and Music Service.

St Matthias and Dr Bells C of E VA Primary School are taking part for the first time this year.

Deputy Head Ali Martin said;

“"The children have grown in confidence and begun to take themselves as dancers more seriously I am really impressed by how far they have come from the dance sessions on a Monday afternoon to now. They are really working as a team and revealing a side of themselves not seen in school before I can't wait to see them perform on the real stage!"

Teaching Assistant Kate Maddocks has been working with the children over many months:

"It has been amazing watching the children grow in confidence each week. We are incredibly proud of their achievements."

Headteacher at Easton Primary School Rehana Siraj-Allan said:

“As we have a new teacher, Frankie Payne who is really enthusiastic about performance arts, she took the opportunity to organise and lead a dance and drama club where the children had opportunities to perform their work in front of the whole school. They were inspiring and were gushing with untapped talent and so when we put the idea of performing as part of STAGES, they were all really keen. It will be a wonderful chance for the dancers to showcase their work alongside other schools and jointly celebrate the huge talent in Bristol schools.”

A gala performance, to be curated and hosted by Bristol’s youth dance company, Kinesis, will be held on Saturday 17 March.

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Notes for Editors

1.  For photo and interview opportunities please contact Bristol City Council press office.