Partnership between the English National Ballet and Hampton Academy
During the summer term students at Hampton Academy have been lucky enough to benefit from a partnership between the English National Ballet (ENB) and Hampton Academy. Students interested in Dance from Years 8-10 were given opportunities to work with ENB on assisting with practical workshops, filing and archiving and report writing, and well as learning about other aspects of a dancers job along the way. A member of staff at ENB has said the following about our students: “It has been great having the students here at English National Ballet and their contributions both in helping with events and with office based tasks have been appreciated.
The students who attended the participatory events acted professionally and carried out tasks efficiently, supporting me in the set up and smooth running of the activities. The students who came to English National Ballet on three occasions to help with administrative tasks were involved in creative planning for our new website, research into dance contacts in English National Ballet´s touring regions and carried out small administrative tasks. Their creative input and ideas on the company website have been particularly useful as it is vital that we consider a variety of perspectives when looking at the public persona of English National Ballet. The students worked well together and we are very pleased that they enjoyed the experience."
Danielle Jones, Learning and Participation Officer - English National Ballet Below is a student´s write up about one of the work experience opportunities available: On the 19th of June 2011 Pia Clements and I went on a work experience trip to the English National Ballet studios. We were there from 9am till 1pm. It was a brilliant opportunity to take up as we got to experience what it is like on a normal day for someone who does all of the organising and preparation for all of the performances. It was a very busy day running up and down stairs from the bottom floor to the fifth floor. As there was a workshop going on for young children throughout the day, from 9am till 4:30pm we were getting all of the gift bags ready for when their day had finished, as well as evaluation papers. We both got a gift bag each for helping everyone out. |
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We also had to carry costumes from the Royal Albert Hall back to the studios, and then put them onto mannequins for visitors to see. When we went into the Royal Albert Hall we got to see back stage, and the changing rooms, it is a lot different to the changing rooms that all of the dancers from Hampton Academy have whilst participating in a performance. We had a tour of the studios; there were two small dance rooms and one big dance room. All of their costumes are handmade in a medium sized room on the top floor, it is full of material, sewing kits, sequins, corsets and costumes either already made or just finished. The costumes are made to perfection. There are posters from previous performances all over the building.
We also got to watch part of a DVD showing one of their performances and the dancers are amazing, every movement is done to perfection and is danced with precision. There was not one mistake made. They dance with such elegance and passion.
This was an amazing opportunity to take part in. I hope there are more to come.
Rachel Varney 9CD
