At the beginning of December our first year BTEC performing arts students performed their Unit 14 choreograph. Unit 14 teaches students about different choreographic techniques and explores and develops the skills required to respond to a choreographic brief.

Throughout the term, the students have been studying the art of choreography and movement composition, researching the processes and styles of choreographers such as Alvin Ailey (Revelations), Bob Fosse (West Side Story, Chicago) and Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, 9 to 5). From the knowledge gained in analysing and exploring these practitioners, the students then embarked on their own choreography journey. Their pieces were developed from a range of stimuli, including historical events, the Black Lives Matter movement and women’s rights protests, which culminated in some really moving and dramatic material.

The evening demonstrated a high calibre of choreography, with performances showing a great deal of talent. The evening was thoroughly enjoyable and the live performances were welcomed by the department and the BTEC performing arts students.

Emily Southwell, Curriculum Manager for performing arts commented, “Thank you to my team of teachers for their determination and hard work through this challenging term and to the backbone of the department, our technicians, for creating diverse staging for each piece to shine. The students did the College and themselves extremely proud.”