Performing Arts students from Stratford-upon-Avon College had their first trip of the academic year, enjoying talks, workshops and performances from the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Students on the Music and Dance courses took part in workshops and talks from various practitioners involved in Black Sabbath – The Ballet and finished their trip with the opportunity to watch a dress rehearsal of the rocking production.
As well as being incredibly practical subjects, the Performing & Production Arts courses regularly organise trips and visits so students can interact and learn from a range of industry professionals.
The students had a joint session with the Musical Director who talked about the differences in conducting and creating music for a show based on Rock music instead of classical ballet. The second year Music students then had a session with a composer about how to adapt existing music and do something new and radical for a performance while the Dance students had a dance workshop.
Dance and Music students took part in a range of practical workshops and talks.
The whole group then watched a rehearsal of the show which was incredibly interesting and insightful as they got a glimpse of how a big show like this was put together.
Dance students Poppy Russell and Sasha Bond immensely enjoyed the experience with Poppy commenting: “It was really good as I had never done anything like this before.” Sasha added: “It’s great to get out and work in different environments as we can get used to what our teachers are looking for but this prepares us for working with new practitioners which is much more how it will be when working in the industry.”
Dance lecturer, Samantha Franks, commented on the importance of trips like these: “It was a valuable trip as students were able to learn about the creative process from the creative team, and then also by watching a rehearsal of the performance before it opened, it gave them an insight to industry standards.”
